Legislature Examines Teacher Certification, Peer Review, Social Promotion & QEO Bills

Proposals dealing with National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, peer review and mentoring, social promotion, modifications to the QEO and education tax benefits go before a legislative committee next week.

The Senate Education Committee is the first legislative panel to take up education proposals in the governor’s budget adjustment bill. Administration officials are scheduled to brief the committee about the initiatives February 25. Education proposals in the budget adjustment bill include:

• A one-time incentive for teachers to voluntarily gain NBPTS certification.The state would pay for half of the certification process fee and a one-time $3,000 bonus for teachers who achieve certification. “The governor's proposal is similar to the NBPTS proposal in WEAC's Legislative Agenda,” WEAC President Terry Craney said. “WEAC has been pushing for incentives for certification for two years. We believe the bonus should be given in each of the ten years a certification is valid.”
• Creation of a pilot peer review and mentoring program for teachers. The state would provide $500,000 for DPI to distribute to CESAs or consortia of school districts to provide technical assistance and training for teachers to implement peer review and mentoring programs. “WEAC supports the plan as long as it is not a substitute for school administration's responsibilities,” Craney said. “Peer assistance programs create opportunities for experienced teachers to help out new teachers or those needing to improve some skills.”
• A prohibition on the social promotion of 4th and 8th grade students. “WEAC supports the proposal if students who are held back are placed in appropriate alternative education programs,” Craney said. “Research has demonstrated that holding students back without alternatives is not successful.”
• Education tax credits and deductions for families’ education expenses. “Tax breaks for education expenses are a good idea, but this is the wrong time,” Craney said. “The state must pay its bills before giving tax breaks to people.” The state budget includes an amendment authored by Sen. Robert Cowles of Green Bay requiring the state to use the first $195 million of any surplus to meet future commitments in the compensation reserve and school aid funds.
• Modifications to the QEO. The bill restores a budget provision requiring districts to move any savings in benefits to salaries. “We are pleased the governor sees changes to the QEO are needed,” Craney said. “This is an opportunity to discuss the real problems caused by the QEO law. We continue to believe the law should be repealed entirely.”

Posted February 19, 1998