Legislation authorizing a new alternative- teacher-certification process that supporters say could take less time and less money than the current path is on its way to Missouri Gov. Matt Blunt, a Republican who has supported the idea in the past.
The bill passed the Missouri House April 15 by an 85-63 vote—just barely above the 82-vote majority needed in the chamber. It passed the Senate in February by a 25-5 vote.
Supporters say the state faces a teacher shortage that has not been filled either with traditional college teaching graduates or through the state’s existing alternative- certification process.
The legislation would let people with expertise in a particular subject—but without teaching degrees—enter the classroom after completing a program run by the American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence.