A proposal to create a new teacher training system for the state died in the Kentucky legislature last month as lawmakers cleared the decks to deal with thorny budget and health-care\neform issues.
An outgrowth of a task force on teacher preparation, the certification bill would have created certification centers in the state for new teachers to develop individual training plans and undergo tests.
The legislature did not act on the bill, despite intensive lobbying by the Kentucky Education Association.
Another casualty was a bill to require Senate confirmation for the state’s appointed education commissioner. It died in the chamber’s education committee after passing the state House earlier this year.
Gender Equity: The Tennessee legislature has approved a bill requiring the governor to give women equal representation on the state’s educational boards.
The measure, overwhelmingly passed last month, requires the governor to alternate between men and women in making appointments until the sexes are equally represented, when the law would cease to be in effect.
Legislators deleted from the bill language requiring the governor to insure continued balance.
R.I. Appeal: Under pressure to overhaul the state’s school-finance system, several Rhode Island lawmakers have challenged a recent superior court ruling striking down the current funding law.
The court’s February decision spurred Gov. Bruce Sundlun and some lawmakers to support a finance-reform bill.
Senate leaders, however, appear to be trying to stall the bill by sending the issue back to court. Senate President Pro Tempore John Revens Jr. this month filed an appeal in the state supreme court.
