SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 82

(By Senators Plymale, Wells, Beach, Browning, Edgell, Foster, Laird, Stollings, Tucker, Unger and Boley)

[Originating in the Committee on Education]

Requesting the Joint Committee on Government and Finance conduct a study to determine alternative paths for teachers and principals to become certified.

    Whereas, While the Legislature has created a provision for alternative certification routes for educators; and the institutions of higher education, to a limited extent, have created alternative route programs; the programs at the institutions of higher education closely mirror their traditional programs; and

    Whereas, While approximately half of the pool of new teacher graduates do find employment in West Virginia, and some counties and some content areas do not have teacher shortages, each year there remains a need for educators; and

    Whereas, For the school year 2009-2010, approximately 1,500 teachers held less than a full credential for the content they were assigned to teach; and

    Whereas, There is a need for a mechanism to better support and prepare educators who are in teaching positions with less than a full credential; and

    Whereas, Although there currently is no shortage of applicants for administrative positions, support for beginning administrators is an essential component for their success; therefore, be it

    Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:

    That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance is hereby requested to conduct a study to determine alternative paths for teachers and principals to become certified; and, be it

    Further Resolved, That the study should include a comparison of West Virginia’s alternative certification laws and policies with those of other states and also should include a comprehensive review of the alternative certification programs of public teacher preparation programs in the state. In order to ensure that the study is conducted in as thorough of a manner as possible, it is also requested that an outside consultant be hired to conduct the study; and, be it

    Further resolved, That the Joint Committee on Government and Finance report to the regular session of the Legislature, 2012, on its findings, conclusions and recommendations, together with drafts of any legislation necessary to effectuate its recommendations; and, be it

    Further resolved, That the expenses necessary to conduct this study, to prepare a report and to draft necessary legislation be paid from legislative appropriations to the Joint Committee on Government and Finance.