The bill amends sections 18A-3-2a and 18A-3-4 of the West Virginia Code to introduce a new pathway for obtaining a permanent teaching certificate. Specifically, it allows teachers who hold a bachelor's degree and have ten years of teaching experience, along with a valid teaching certificate and a record of good standing without any unsatisfactory evaluations, to apply for a permanent teaching certificate without the need for additional coursework. This new provision is marked as subsection (h) under section 18A-3-2a and is effective immediately upon passage.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that existing certificates and their validity periods will remain unchanged, ensuring that current teachers retain their rights to renew or make their certificates permanent as outlined in section 18A-3-4. This provision safeguards the status of certificates that were in force prior to the enactment of this bill, thereby maintaining continuity in the certification process for educators in West Virginia.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-3-2a
Committee Substitute: 18A-3-2a, 18A-3-4
Engrossed Committee Substitute: 18A-3-2a, 18A-3-4
Enrolled Committee Substitute: 18A-3-2a