GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2003
S D
SENATE DRS35224-LE-45B (2/5)
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Short Title: No Portfolio Required/Teacher Certification. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
Senator Shubert. |
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Referred to: |
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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT eliminating the portfolio requirement for teacher certification.
Whereas, the Senate in 2002 voted to end the use of portfolios for teacher certification; and
Whereas, the House in 2002, after extended debate, voted overwhelmingly to support the Senate action and end the use of portfolios for teacher certification; and
Whereas, contrary to the Rules of the Legislature, the votes of the majority of the Senators and Representatives were ignored; and
Whereas, the ban on portfolios was replaced with a suspension until June 30, 2004, and a study so that the proponents of placing needless burdens on teachers (the minority in the legislature) could devise new terms other than "portfolio" to impose alternative burdens (rejected by the majority in the legislature); and
Whereas, the results of the "study" appear to reflect the predominance of portfolio supporters among those chosen by the portfolio proponents in the Department of Public Instruction to conduct the "study", and lack validity both because the "study" was not properly authorized and because the requirements appear to increase burdens on teachers, contrary to the expressed wishes of the legislature; and
Whereas, actions of the portfolio proponents in enacting the suspension and the "study" are ample evidence of their disregard for the legislature, the legislative process, and the overwhelming majority of teachers and principals who opposed portfolios; and
Whereas, to permit such action to stand undermines both the rule of law and respect for the legislative process; Now, therefore,
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1. G.S. 115C‑296(b) reads as rewritten:
"(b) It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to maintain the highest quality teacher education programs and school administrator programs in order to enhance the competence of professional personnel certified in North Carolina. To the end that teacher preparation programs are upgraded to reflect a more rigorous course of study, the State Board of Education, as lead agency in coordination and cooperation with the University Board of Governors, the Board of Community Colleges and such other public and private agencies as are necessary, shall continue to refine the several certification requirements, standards for approval of institutions of teacher education, standards for institution‑based innovative and experimental programs, standards for implementing consortium‑based teacher education, and standards for improved efficiencies in the administration of the approved programs. The certification program shall provide for initial certification after completion of preservice training, continuing certification after three years of teaching experience, and certificate renewal every five years thereafter, until the retirement of the teacher. The last certificate renewal received prior to retirement shall remain in effect for five years after retirement.
The State Board of Education, as lead agency in coordination with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina and any other public and private agencies as necessary, shall continue to raise standards for entry into teacher education programs.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, shall evaluate and develop enhanced requirements for continuing certification. The new requirements shall reflect more rigorous standards for continuing certification and to the extent possible shall be aligned with quality professional development programs that reflect State priorities for improving student achievement. These rigorous standards shall not include a portfolio requirement for teachers.
The State Board of Education, in consultation with local boards of education and the Board of Governors of The University of North Carolina, shall reevaluate and enhance the requirements for renewal of teacher certificates. The State Board shall consider modifications in the certificate renewal achievement and to make it a mechanism for teachers to renew continually their knowledge and professional skills. The State Board shall adopt new standards for the renewal of teacher certificates by May 15, 1998.
The standards for approval of institutions of teacher education shall require that teacher education programs for students who do not major in special education include demonstrated competencies in the identification and education of children with learning disabilities. The State Board of Education shall incorporate the criteria developed in accordance with G.S. 116‑74.21 for assessing proposals under the School Administrator Training Program into its school administrator program approval standards.
All North Carolina institutions of higher education that offer teacher education programs, masters degree programs in education, or masters degree programs in school administration shall provide performance reports to the State Board of Education. The performance reports shall follow a common format, shall be submitted according to a plan developed by the State Board, and shall include the information required under the plan developed by the State Board."
SECTION 3. Section 28.19(b) of S.L. 2001‑424 is repealed.
SECTION 4. No new requirement added by the State Board of Education to the teacher certification process as the result of the violation of the rules of the legislature in 2002 may be required for licensure now or in the future without explicit legislative authorization.
SECTION 5. This act is effective when it becomes law.