Assembly Committee Oks Standards Council
The Assembly Education Committee voted, 9-4, Wednesday (March 11, 1998)
in favor of a bill that creates a Professional Standards Council for
teachers in Wisconsin.
The bill, which already has passed the Senate, now goes to the Assembly
floor.
To become law, the bill still must pass the Assembly, go back to the
Senate to concur in an amendment adopted by the Assembly committee,
and then be signed by the governor. Final legislative action must occur
before the current session ends at the end of March.
The only Assembly amendment specifies that teachers nominated to serve
on the council must be actively teaching in the classroom. WEAC and
WFT supported the amendment.
Creation of a Professional Standards Council is a key element of WEAC's
Legislative Agenda. The council would be housed in the Department of
Public Instruction. It would oversee teacher training, licensing and
classroom practices. The 19-member council would be composed of teachers,
higher education academics, curriculum interests, parents and students.
Posted March 11, 1998