The bill introduced on March 20, 2025, seeks to amend the Code of West Virginia by establishing the Troops-to-Teachers Program, aimed at recruiting veterans of the armed forces to become public school teachers. The new legal language mandates that the state superintendent create this program, which will provide hiring preferences for veterans in accordance with existing laws. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to improve teacher preparation programs and ensure that the education of professional educators in West Virginia adheres to high standards.

In addition to creating the Troops-to-Teachers Program, the bill outlines provisions for teacher preparation, certification, and professional development. It includes new criteria for issuing professional teaching certificates to veterans, such as holding a relevant bachelor's degree, demonstrating prior military instructor certification, and passing state tests, while exempting them from additional certification requirements except for a criminal history check. The bill maintains existing provisions for various teaching certificates and establishes a provisional three-year initial professional certificate for veterans, which can be converted to a five-year professional certificate upon successful completion of a beginning teacher induction program. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the certification process for veterans entering the teaching profession, enhancing educational opportunities in public schools.

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