The bill seeks to amend sections 18A-3-1 and 18A-3-2a of the Code of West Virginia to establish the Troops-to-Teachers program, aimed at recruiting veterans, including retirees, into public school teaching positions. The new legal language mandates that the state superintendent create this program and provide veterans with a hiring preference, aligning with existing laws. The bill also delineates the responsibilities of the state board in overseeing teacher preparation programs, emphasizing the need for periodic reviews of professional development requirements to ensure they are relevant and effective in the classroom.

Furthermore, the legislation introduces specific provisions for issuing professional teaching certificates to honorably discharged armed forces officers and non-commissioned officers, who must meet certain criteria, including holding a relevant bachelor's degree and demonstrating prior military instructor certification. The bill outlines various types of teaching certificates and their requirements, ensuring that individuals from diverse backgrounds, particularly military service members, can obtain teaching credentials. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of education in public schools while facilitating the integration of veterans into the workforce.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-3-1, 18A-3-2a