Professional Standards Council for Teachers: 1997 Senate Bill 364

UPDATE

On June 16, 1998, Gov. Thompson signed the Professional Standards Council bill into law.

Background:

Over the past 25 years, education professionals in the United States have been actively pursuing the achievement of independent teacher professional standards boards/councils. In states where councils exist, participants agree that the most productive environment for teaching is one in which education professionals are given direct input into the establishment of standards that govern the preparation and practice of the profession.

Legislative History:

On January 13, 1998, the State Senate passed Senate Bill 364 relating to the establishment of a Professional Standards Council for teachers in the Department of Public Instruction by a vote of 28-4. The bill was recommended for passage by the Assembly Education Committee by a vote of 9-4 on March 25, 1998.

WEAC's involvement in this issue dates back to April, 1996 when WEAC worked with both parties in both houses to request the creation of a bi-partisan Legislative Council Study Committee on Teacher Preparation, Licensure and Regulation. SB 364 is the result of more than eight months of work by the study committee. The final committee report was overwhelmingly embraced by the educational community representatives on the committee.

Purpose of the Council:

The purpose of the Professional Standards Council for Teachers is to ensure quality in the profession of teaching by recommending to the state superintendent a set of high standards for licensing that maintains quality classroom teaching, to address the changing needs for the instruction of pupils in the state, and to provide for the continual professional development of teachers. The primary focus of the council is on classroom teaching.

Council Membership and Nomination Process:

The 19-member council would be composed of teachers, higher education academicians, educational specialists, parents, school board members and students.

For each vacancy on the council, the group or entity authorized to nominate members is required to submit the names of three qualified persons to the state superintendent. Each council member serves a 3-year term, except for the student member, who serves a 2-year term. Final approval of council nominees is subject to confirmation by the State Senate.

Duties of the Council:

Senate Bill 364 creates a forum for the people with the most knowledge and the most experience in education to work together to achieve common goals.

A Professional Standards Council for Teachers will create a system for continuous review of the quality of teacher training, the standards for achieving and maintaining certification, and the review of effective classroom practices.

The council will meet no less than twice each year to advise the state superintendent on policies ranging from licensure renewal and maintenance to effective continuing education programs. The council could also propose solutions and make policy recommendations to the state superintendent that respond to the complexities of teaching and the status of teaching in Wisconsin. An annual report to the legislature will also be required that summarizes the council’s activities and effectiveness.

WEAC/WFT Position:

WEAC and the WFT strongly support passage of Senate Bill 364 as recommended by the Assembly Education Committee with no further amendments.

Talking Points:

• SB 364 will enhance the already high quality of teaching in Wisconsin and add accountability to the profession by establishing a Professional Standards Council for teachers in the Department of Public Instruction.
• SB 364 brings together the entire education community by establishing a council composed of teachers, higher education academicians, educational experts, parents and students seeking education degrees providing a formal structure to address the complexities of teaching.
• It is essential that organizations representing groups appointed to the council be involved in the nomination process to establish a level of independence and credibility for the council.
• Oversight of the council is balanced through a process of selection by the state superintendent and final confirmation by the State Senate of council nominees. Additionally, any policy recommendations or proposals made by the council are advisory only and subject to approval by the state superintendent.
• The recent "Quality Counts" report in Education Week has placed special emphasis on the need for states to enact independent professional standards councils for teachers.

For Additional Information Contact:

Contact Bob Burke in the WEAC Government Relations Division at 800-362- 8034 ext 254. or by e-mail at burkeb@weac.org with any reactions, comments or questions.