The North Carolina legislature agreed last week not to challenge Gov. Michael F. Easley’s veto of a bill that would have eased standards for teachers hired from out of state.
As part of the deal, legislators won an agreement from the Democratic governor and the state school board to streamline the licensure process for out-of-state teacher-candidates, according to news reports.
Lawmakers had passed the bill last month in response to requests from school districts struggling with teacher shortages. The bill would have allowed districts to hire any teacher certified in another state, eliminating the requirement that such a teacher pass a test or have national certification.
The North Carolina Association of Educators, an affiliate of the National Education Association, praised Mr. Easley’s veto, saying the state should not abandon high standards.
The state board, meanwhile, approved a policy change that will allow experienced teachers from other states to earn certification after a year of teaching in North Carolina and positive evaluations from their principals.