Source: http://www.wvlegislature.gov/Bill_Status/bills_text.cfm?billdoc=sb586%20intr.htm&yr=2011&sesstype=RS&i=586
Timestamp: 2018-01-19 20:30:33
Document Index: 424753986

Matched Legal Cases: ['§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18', '§18']

[Introduced February 21, 2011; referred to the Committee on Education; and then to the Committee on Finance.]
A BILL to amend and reenact §18A-2-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended; to amend and reenact §18A-3-1, §18A-3-2 and §18A-3-2a of said code; to amend said code by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-3A-6a; and to amend and reenact §18A-4-7a of said code, all relating to school personnel; employment of teachers; changing reference to “classroom teacher” to “professional personnel”; training; certification; licensing; professional development; teacher preparation programs; teacher certification; authority of state superintendent to issue certificates; Center for Professional Development; establishing a National Board Certification Candidacy Cohort Program; salaries, wages and other benefits; and standards relating to employment, promotion and transfer of professional personnel and seniority.
That §18A-2-2 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted; that §18A-3-1, §18A-3-2 and §18A-3-2a of said code be amended and reenacted; that §18A-4-7a of said code be amended and reenacted; and that said code be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated §18A-3A-6a, all to read as follows:
(b) Each teacher's contract, under this section, shall be designated as a probationary or continuing contract. A probationary teacher’s contract shall be for a term of not less than one nor more than three years, one of which shall be for completion of a beginning teacher internship pursuant to the provisions of section two-b, article three of this chapter, if applicable. If, after three years of such employment, the teacher who holds a professional certificate, based on at least a bachelor's degree, has met the qualifications for a bachelor’s degree and the county board enters into a new contract of employment, it shall be a continuing contract, subject to the following:
(A) By a majority vote of the full membership of the county board on or before February 1 of the then current year, after written notice, served upon the teacher, return receipt requested, stating cause or causes and an opportunity to be heard at a meeting of the board prior to the board's action on the termination issue; or
(B) By written resignation of the teacher on or before February 1 to initiate termination of a continuing contract;
(g) (1) A classroom teacher professional personnel who gives written notice to the county board on or before December 1 of the school year of his or her retirement from employment with the board at the conclusion of the school year shall be paid $500 from the Early Notification of Retirement line item established for the department of education for this purpose, subject to appropriation by the Legislature. If the appropriations to the department of education for this purpose are insufficient to compensate all applicable teachers professional personnel, the department of education shall request a supplemental appropriation in an amount sufficient to compensate all such teachers professional personnel. Additionally, if funds are still insufficient to compensate all applicable teachers professional personnel, the priority of payment is for teachers professional personnel who give written notice the earliest. This payment shall not be counted as part of the final average salary for the purpose of calculating retirement. If a position is filled by a person at a job fair or as a result of contact made at a job fair, the position is considered filled and the early retirement notification is nonrevocable.
(1) Those programs in all institutions of higher education, including student teaching as provided in this section;
(2) Beginning teacher internship programs;
(b) The state board, after consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Arts and the Chancellor for Higher Education, shall adopt standards for the education of professional educators in the state and for awarding certificates valid in the public schools of this state. The standards shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(5) A provision requiring any higher education institution with an educator preparation program to document that the student teacher’s field-based and clinical experiences include participation and instruction with multicultural, at-risk and exceptional children at each programmatic level for which the student teacher seeks certification.
(e) Beginning the fall, 2006 – 2007 academic term, in lieu of the student teaching experience in a public school setting required by this section, an institution of higher education may provide an alternate student teaching experience in a nonpublic school setting if the institution of higher education:
(3) Enters into an agreement pursuant to subdivisions (f) and (g) of this section.
(f) At the discretion of the higher education institution, an agreement for an alternate student teaching experience between an institution of higher education and a nonpublic school shall require that either:
(g) In addition to the requirements set forth in subsection (f) of this section, an agreement for an alternate student teaching experience between an institution of higher education and a nonpublic school shall:
(h) The state superintendent may issue certificates to graduates of educator preparation programs and alternative educator preparation programs approved by the state board. The certificates are issued in accordance with this section and rules adopted by the state board after consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Arts and the Chancellor for Higher Education.
(1) A certificate to teach may be granted only to any person who is:
(i) In consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Arts and the Chancellor for Higher Education, institutions of higher education approved for educator preparation may cooperate with each other, with the center for professional development and with one or more county boards to organize and operate centers to provide selected phases of the educator preparation program. The phases include, but are not limited to:
(1) Student teaching;
(j) The provisions of this section do not require discontinuation of an existing student teacher training center or school which meets the standards of the state board.
(k) All institutions of higher education approved for educator preparation in the 1962-1963 school year shall continue to hold that distinction so long as they meet the minimum standards for educator preparation. Nothing in this section infringes upon the rights granted to any institution by charter given according to law previous to the adoption of this code.
(m) (l) As used in this section:
In accordance with State Board of Education rules for the education of professional educators adopted after consultation with the Secretary of Education and the Arts, the State Superintendent of Schools may issue certificates valid in the public schools of the state; Provided, That a (1) A certificate shall may not be issued to any person who is not a citizen of the United States, is not of good moral character and is not physically, mentally and emotionally qualified to perform the duties for which the certification would be is granted and who has not attained the age of eighteen years on or before October 1, of the year in which the certificate is issued; Provided, however, and (2) that an exchange teacher from a foreign country or an alien person who meets the requirements to teach may be granted a permit to teach within the public schools of the state.
(b) Certificates authorized to be issued: include:
(1) Professional teaching certificates. -- A professional teaching certificate for teaching in the public schools may be issued to a person who under the following conditions:
(A) Regular professional preparation. –-
(A) (i) Has The applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution of higher education in this state; (ii) has completed a program for the education of teachers which meets the requirements approved by the State Board of Education or has met equivalent standards at institutions in other states; and
(iii) has passed appropriate state board approved basic skills and subject matter tests or has completed three years of successful experience within the last seven years in the area for which licensure is being sought; or
(B) Alternative professional preparation. --
(B) (i) The applicant holds at least a bachelor's degree in a discipline taught in the public schools from an accredited institution of higher education;
(ii) Has passed appropriate state board approved basic skills and subject matter tests or has completed three years of successful experience within the last seven years in the area for which licensure is being sought; and
(iii) has completed an alternative program for teacher education approved by the state board and is recommended for a certificate by the chairperson of the professional support team of the person's alternative program or the state superintendent based on documentation submitted.
(C) The certificate shall be endorsed to indicate the grade level or levels or areas of specialization in which the person is certified to teach or to serve in the public schools.
(D) The initial professional certificate shall be is issued provisionally for a period of three years from the date of issuance and may be converted to a professional certificate valid for five years subject to successful completion of a beginning teacher internship, if applicable, or renewed subject to rules adopted by the state board.
(2) Professional administrative certificate. -- A professional administrative certificate, endorsed for serving in the public schools, with specific endorsement as a principal, vocational administrator, supervisor of instructions or superintendent, may be issued to a person who has completed the following requirements all to be approved by the state board: as follows:
(A) For a A master's degree from an institution of higher education accredited to offer a master's degree,
(B) has successfully completed Successful completion of an approved program for administrative certification, developed by the State Board of Education in cooperation with the governing boards of the university of West Virginia system and the state college system Higher Education Policy Commission,
(C) has successfully completed Successful completion of education and training in evaluation skills through the center for professional development, or equivalent education and training in evaluation skills, and
(D) Three years of management level experience: Provided, That anyone having received a certificate during the period from August 30, 1990, until the effective date of this bill without having met the above requirements shall complete those requirements within five years after the effective date of this bill: Provided, however, That any
(E) A person serving in the position of dean of students on the effective date of this section shall June 4, 1992, is not required to hold a professional administrative certificate. Beginning September 1, 1992, The initial professional administrative certificate shall be issued provisionally for a period of five years. This certificate may be converted to a professional administrative certificate valid for five years or renewed, subject to the regulations of the state board.
(3) Paraprofessional certificate. -- A paraprofessional certificate may be issued to a person who meets the following conditions:
(A) Has completed thirty-six semester hours of post-secondary education or its equivalent in subjects directly related to performance of the job, all approved by the state board, and
(B) can Is able to demonstrate the proficiencies to perform duties as required of a paraprofessional as defined in section eight, article four of this chapter.
(4) Other certificates; permits. -- Subject to the approval of the state board, other certificates and permits may be issued, subject to the approval of the state board, to persons who do not qualify for the professional or paraprofessional certificate.
(A) Such These certificates or permits shall may not be given permanent status and persons holding such them shall meet renewal requirements provided by law and by regulation, unless the state board declares certain of these certificates to be the equivalent of the professional certificate.
Within the category of other certificates and permits, the state superintendent may issue certificates for persons to serve in the public schools as athletic coaches or coaches for other extracurricular activities coaches whose duties may include the supervision of students, subject to the following limitations:
(A) Such (I) The person shall is employed under a contract with the county board of education which specifies the following:
duties to be performed, which specifies
(II) A rate of pay equivalent to the rate of pay for professional educators in the district who accept similar duties as extra duty assignments; and which provides
(III) Provisions for liability insurance associated with the activity: Provided, That such persons
(IV) A person who holds a certificate or permit as provided in this subdivision shall may not be considered employees an employee of the county board for salary and benefit purposes other than except as specified in the contract; (B) a currently employed certified professional educator has not applied for the position; and (C) such
(V) The person completes an orientation program designed and approved in accordance with state board rules; which shall be adopted no later than January 1, 1991.
(VI) A currently employed certified professional educator has not applied for the position. This preference does not apply if the position is filled currently by a person who meets the following requirements:
(I) Has been issued a certificate or permit in compliance with this subdivision;
(II) Has been employed in the same position for at least five years; and
(III) Has received satisfactory evaluations for each of the last five years.
When the conditions of this section are met, the county board is not required to post the coaching position annually.
§18A-3A-6a. National Board Certification Candidacy Cohort Program.
(a) There is established a National Board Certification Candidacy Cohort Program to provide preparation and training for candidates for National Board Certification.
(b) The state board shall develop a program to provide support and guidance to candidates as they prepare for the certification process, including the portfolio submission and review. Such support shall include:
(1) A system of regular meetings with cohort members.
(2) The assignment of mentors who have received National Board Certification to those candidates in the program
(3) Other such strategies designed to ensure greater success in National Board Certification rates among profession personnel.
(c) The state board shall limit number of candidates admitted into the cohort to an amount that can reasonably be provided support through the program.
(d) Mentors, as outlined in subsection (b) of this article, shall be entitled to a stipend at an amount to be set by the state board.
(e) The state board shall propose rules for legislative approval in accordance with the provisions of article three, chapter twenty-nine of this code to effect the purposes of this section.
(c) In judging qualifications for hiring employees pursuant to subsections (a) and (b) of this section, consideration shall be given to each of the following: the county board shall consider the criteria listed in this subsection. The board shall consider the following criteria:
(1) Interview performance. -– Applicants shall participate in an oral interview that demonstrates effective communication skills, professionalism and any criteria listed in this subsection;
(2) Certification and/or licensure, including any National Board Certifications possessed by the applicant;
(3) Experience relevant to the position;
(4) Course work and/or degree relevant to the position;
(5) Past performance evaluations;
(6) Academic achievement;
(7) Training relevant to the position; and
(8) Seniority.
(d) If no applicant for a professional personnel position meets the standards set forth in the job posting, the county board may select the successful applicant based upon its evaluation of the criteria set forth in subsection (c) of this section.
(e) If the superintendent determines that none of the applicants for a professional personnel position are satisfactory, the position shall be reposted.
(e) (f) In filling positions pursuant to subsection (d) of this section, consideration shall be given to each criterion with each criterion being given equal weight. If the applicant with the most seniority is not selected for the position, upon the request of the applicant a written statement of reasons shall be given to the applicant with suggestions for improving the applicant’s qualifications.
(f) (g) With the exception of guidance counselors, the seniority of classroom teachers, as defined in section one, article one of this chapter shall be determined on the basis of the length of time the employee has been employed as a regular full-time certified and/or licensed professional educator by the county board of education and shall be granted in all areas that the employee is certified, licensed or both.
(g) (h) Upon completion of one hundred thirty-three days of employment in any one school year, substitute teachers, except retired teachers and other retired professional educators employed as substitutes, shall accrue seniority exclusively for the purpose of applying for employment as a permanent, full-time professional employee. One hundred thirty-three days or more of said employment shall be prorated and shall vest as a fraction of the school year worked by the permanent, full-time teacher.
(h) (i) Guidance counselors and all other professional employees, as defined in section one, article one of this chapter, except classroom teachers, shall gain seniority in their nonteaching area of professional employment on the basis of the length of time the employee has been employed by the county board of education in that area: Provided, That if an employee is certified as a classroom teacher, the employee accrues classroom teaching seniority for the time that employee is employed in another professional area. For the purposes of accruing seniority under this paragraph, employment as principal, supervisor or central office administrator, as defined in section one, article one of this chapter, shall be considered one area of employment.
(i) (j) Employment for a full employment term shall equal one year of seniority, but no employee may accrue more than one year of seniority during any given fiscal year. Employment for less than the full employment term shall be prorated. A random selection system established by the employees and approved by the board shall be used to determine the priority if two or more employees accumulate identical seniority: Provided, That when two or more principals have accumulated identical seniority, decisions on reductions in force shall be based on qualifications.
(j) (k) Whenever a county board is required to reduce the number of professional personnel in its employment, the employee with the least amount of seniority shall be properly notified and released from employment pursuant to the provisions of section two, article two of this chapter. The provisions of this subsection are subject to the following:
(2) An employee subject to release shall be employed in any other professional position where the employee is certified and was previously employed or to any lateral area for which the employee is certified, licensed or both, if the employee’s seniority is greater than the seniority of any other employee in that area of certification, licensure or both;
(3) If an employee subject to release holds certification, licensure or both in more than one lateral area and if the employee’s seniority is greater than the seniority of any other employee in one or more of those areas of certification, licensure or both, the employee subject to release shall be employed in the professional position held by the employee with the least seniority in any of those areas of certification, licensure or both; and
(k) (l) For the purpose of this article, all positions which meet the definition of classroom teacher as defined in section one, article one of this chapter shall be lateral positions. For all other professional positions, the county board of education shall adopt a policy by October 31, 1993, and may modify the policy thereafter as necessary, which defines which positions shall be lateral positions. The board shall submit a copy of its policy to the state board within thirty days of adoption or any modification, and the state board shall compile a report and submit the report to the Legislative Oversight Commission on Education accountability by December 31, 1993, and by that date in any succeeding year in which any county board submits a modification of its policy relating to lateral positions. In adopting the policy, the board shall give consideration to the rank of each position in terms of title; nature of responsibilities; salary level; certification, licensure or both; and days in the period of employment.
(l) (m) After the fifth day prior to the beginning of the instructional term, July 15, no person employed and assigned to a professional position may transfer to another professional position in the county during that the next instructional term unless the person holding that position does not have valid certification. The provisions of this subsection are subject to the following:
(3) The county board, upon recommendation of the superintendent may fill a position before the next instructional term when it is determined to be in the best interest of the students: Provided, That the county superintendent shall notify the state board of each transfer of a person employed in a professional position to another professional position after the fifth day prior to the beginning of the instructional term July 15. The Legislature finds that it is not in the best interest of the students particularly in the elementary grades to have multiple teachers for any one grade level or course during the instructional term. It is the intent of the Legislature that the filling of positions through transfers of personnel from one professional position to another after the fifth day prior to the beginning of the instructional term July 15 should be kept to a minimum.
(m) (n) All professional personnel whose seniority with the county board is insufficient to allow their retention by the county board during a reduction in workforce shall be placed upon a preferred recall list. As to any professional position opening within the area where they had previously been employed or to any lateral area for which they have certification, licensure or both, the employee shall be recalled on the basis of seniority if no regular, full-time professional personnel, or those returning from leaves of absence with greater seniority, are qualified, apply for and accept the position.
(n) (o) Before position openings that are known or expected to extend for twenty consecutive employment days or longer for professional personnel may be filled by the board, the board shall be required to notify all qualified professional personnel on the preferred list and give them an opportunity to apply, but failure to apply shall not cause the employee to forfeit any right to recall. The notice shall be sent by certified mail to the last known address of the employee, and it shall be the duty of each professional personnel to notify the board of continued availability annually, of any change in address or of any change in certification, licensure or both.
(o) (p) Openings in established, existing or newly created positions shall be processed as follows:
(q) In order to facilitate compliance with job posting requirements:
(1) The state superintendent shall establish best practices for job postings and communicate these to the county boards and county superintendents; and
(2) The office of education performance audits shall review job postings whenever conducting an on-site review pursuant to section five, article two-e, chapter eighteen of this code.
(r) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code to the contrary, a teacher at an elementary school may be reassigned to a grade level for which he or she is certified whether or not a vacancy exists: Provided, That the employee and the county board of education mutually agree to the reassignment. A vacancy that occurs as a result of a realignment or reassignment shall be posted.
(r) (s) Any board failing to comply with the provisions of this article may be compelled to do so by mandamus and shall be liable to any party prevailing against the board for court costs and reasonable attorney fees as determined and established by the court. Further, employees denied promotion or employment in violation of this section shall be awarded the job, pay and any applicable benefits retroactive to the date of the violation and payable entirely from local funds. Further, the board shall be liable to any party prevailing against the board for any court reporter costs including copies of transcripts.
(s) (t) The county board shall compile, update annually on July 1, and make available by electronic or other means to all employees a list of all professional personnel employed by the county, their areas of certification and their seniority.
NOTE: The purpose of this bill is to amend procedures relating to school personnel and employment of teachers. It changes reference to “classroom teacher” to “professional personnel”. It makes changes in training, certification, licensing, professional development and teacher preparation programs, teacher certification and the authority of the state superintendent to issue certificates. The bill establishes a National Board Certification Candidacy Cohort Program. The bill also makes changes relating to salaries, wages and other benefits; and standards relating to employment, promotion and transfer of professional personnel and seniority. Finally, the bill makes substantial stylistic changes in dealing with these subjects.
§18A-3A-6a is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring have been omitted.