Bill Text: GA HB1307 | 2009-2010 | Regular Session | Comm Sub

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Bill Title: Teacher certification; learning requirements for renewal; temporarily suspend

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 7-0)

Status: (Passed) 2010-07-01 - Effective Date [HB1307 Detail]

Download: Georgia-2009-HB1307-Comm_Sub.html

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10 LC 33 3661S

House Bill 1307 (COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE)

By: Representatives Dickson of the 6th, Neal of the 1st, Maxwell of the 17th, Carter of the 175th, Casas of the 103rd, and others

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT

To amend Code Section 20-2-200 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to teacher certification, so as to temporarily suspend professional learning requirements for certification renewal for teachers and paraprofessionals; to eliminate a required course in computer skill competency; to provide for related matters; to repeal conflicting laws; and for other purposes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:

SECTION 1.

Code Section 20-2-200 of the Official Code of Georgia Annotated, relating to teacher certification, is amended by revising paragraph (4) of subsection (b) as follows:

"(4) Requirements for certification renewal shall be established to foster ongoing professional learning, enhance student achievement, and verify standards of ethical conduct; provided, however, that from July 1, 2010, through July 1, 2015, no professional learning requirements shall be required for certificate renewal for clear renewable certificates for certificated personnel or for certificate renewal for paraprofessionals. Such requirements may include, but are not limited to, professional learning related to school improvement plans or the applicant's field of certification and background checks. Should the Professional Standards Commission include a requirement to demonstrate computer skill competency, the rules and regulations shall provide that a certificated educator may elect to meet the requirement by:

(A) Completing a course in computer skill competency, including but not limited to the phase one InTech model training program; or

(B) Receiving receiving satisfactory results on a test in basic computer skill competency. If a certificated educator elects to take such test pursuant to this subparagraph paragraph, the local school system by which such educator is employed shall make available the opportunity to take the test on site at the school in which the educator is assigned. Each principal shall identify an administrator on site at each school to serve as a proctor for individuals taking the test pursuant to this subparagraph paragraph.

Individuals holding a valid Georgia life certificate or a valid National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certificate shall be deemed to have met state renewal requirements except those related to background checks."

SECTION 2.

All laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.