This bill amends the Code of West Virginia to modify the requirements for obtaining a professional teaching certificate. Specifically, it stipulates that the requirement to pass the West Virginia Board of Education-approved basic skills and subject matter tests is only applicable to individuals who have not completed a bachelor's degree program in education or those who have completed such a program but have a grade point average below 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. This change aims to broaden the eligibility for certification by reducing the testing burden on certain candidates.

Additionally, the bill maintains existing conditions for certification, such as holding a bachelor's degree from an accredited institution and completing an approved teacher education program. It also outlines various pathways to certification, including alternative programs and provisions for individuals with prior teaching experience. The overall intent of the bill is to streamline the certification process and make it more accessible to prospective educators in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-3-2a