The bill amends the Code of West Virginia to create the Troops-to-Teachers Program, which seeks to recruit veterans of the armed forces into public school teaching positions. It establishes conditions for issuing professional teaching certificates, including a preference for hiring veterans. The State Board of Education is tasked with conducting periodic reviews of teacher professional development to ensure that training is relevant and effective. The bill also outlines the criteria for obtaining professional teaching certificates, such as holding a bachelor's degree, passing state-approved tests, and completing an educator preparation program. Importantly, it exempts honorably discharged veterans from additional certification requirements, aside from a criminal history check.

Additionally, the legislation details various types of teaching certificates available, including initial professional certificates, alternative program teacher certificates, and temporary teaching certificates for spouses of armed forces members. The initial professional certificate is provisionally issued for three years and can be converted to a five-year professional certificate upon successful completion of a beginning teacher induction program. The bill also introduces a one-year temporary teaching certificate for armed forces spouses, which can be renewed if criteria are met. The state superintendent is granted the authority to deny or revoke these temporary certificates based on issues such as fraud or criminal convictions, thereby ensuring that educators maintain the necessary qualifications to serve in West Virginia's public schools.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18A-3-1, 18A-3-2a
Committee Substitute: 18A-3-1, 18A-3-2a
Committee Substitute for the Committee Substitute: 18A-3-1, 18A-3-2a
Enrolled Version: 18A-3-1, 18A-3-2a