Sixty years ago, Florida teachers who met a few state standards would be certified to teach for life. We're getting what the state requires, but we're not getting what we need,'' said Andy Ford, president of the Duval County teachers' union. The standards set by the Legislature are similar to those used by the 41 other states who have recertification requirements in place, according to the Education Commission of the States, an independent commission that compiles educational research and data.
Some states require more training.
Wyoming, for example, requires 10 college credits every five years. A few states, however, give teachers seven or eight years to obtain the same level of training Florida requires in five, the commission said. A handful of states, none in the Southeast, still issue teachers lifetime teaching certificates, which ended in Florida in the 1930s. But in most ways, improving teacher training is left to individual school systems. Bill Fryar, director of academic programs in Duval County, said the school system hasn't focused on the state standards when trying to improve its training program.