Senate Bill 396: Exempting Virtual Schools from Teacher Certification

Author:
Senators Lehman, Kreitlow, and Taylor; Representatives Pope-Roberts, Sinicki, and Turner

Summary:
Under current law, any person who teaches in a public school, including a charter school, must hold a teaching license or permit issued by the Department of Public Instruction (DPI). Until July 1, 2009, this bill exempts from this requirement any person who teaches in a virtual charter school. The bill defines a virtual charter school as a charter school that provides an online learning program.

This bill has been amended. It currently allows a person to teach an online course in a virtual charter school if he or she has completed 30 hours of professional development designed to prepare a teacher for online teaching.

Status:

1/17/2008		(Senate) Introduced, referred to Committee on Education
1/17/2008		(Senate) Public hearing held
2/4/2008		(Senate) Passed Education Committee
2/19/2008		(Senate) Senate Amendment and Senate Substitute Amendment adopted by the Senate, 18-15
2/19/2008		(Senate) Sent to Assembly
3/11/2008		(House) Received from Senate, read, read a second time
3/11/2008		(House) Rules suspended
3/11/2008		(House) Adopted Amendment
3/11/2008		(House) Read a third time, rules suspended, concurred as amended 96-1
3/12/2008		(Senate) Received from Assembly as amended, concurred in amendment
3/12/2008		(Senate) Available for scheduling
4/11/2008		Published on 4/21/08

HSLDA's Position:
HSLDA opposes this bill

Action Requested:
None at this time.

Other Resources

Original Bill Text (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Substituted Bill Text (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)

Assembly Substituted (and final): (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader)