Schools chief expects vote on teacher training, licenses by end of year

The state’s chief schools official said today that he expected to have a final vote by the end of the year on his proposal to reform how teachers are trained and licensed.

“I dare to say we are going to reform teacher licensing in this state, and my resolve to do that is more galvanized than ever,” said State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Bennett.

“We have to act now.”

Bennett’s comments came after a regular meeting this morning of the Indiana Education Roundtable, in which he once again laid out his plan to require future middle school and high school teachers to major in their academic subject, such as English or math, instead of majoring in secondary education with a minor in an academic subject.

Monday, about 300 people attended the final public hearing on the proposal, during which a petition signed by 2,481 people opposing the rule change was presented to state officials.

Bennett said the Professional Standards board will consider comments from the three hearing in their next meeting Nov. 18. After a couple more meetings, Bennett said he hoped the board could hold a final vote by the end of December.