HB 3245 Text

H. B. 3245

(By Delegates Mezzatesta, Williams, Stemple, Fahey,
Swartzmiller, Harrison and Carmichael)

(Originating in the Committee on Education)
[April 4, 2001]

A BILL to amend article eleven, chapter eighteen-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section six, relating to education; teacher education programs; establishing the national institute for teaching excellence; legislative findings and intent; report to legislative oversight commission on education accountability; creating the institute board; and board authorities and duties.

Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:

That article eleven, chapter eighteen-b of the code of West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section six, to read as follows:

ARTICLE 11. MISCELLANEOUS INSTITUTES AND CENTERS.

§18B-11-6. National Institute for Teaching Excellence established.

(a) The Legislature finds and intends that:

West Virginia has long been recognized for its high quality teacher preparation program as a national center for teacher excellence. Teaching education candidates from higher education institutions in this state have proven to be highly marketable nationwide due to the reputation this state has earned in producing outstanding teacher education graduates. West Virginia should utilize its reputation for exceptional achievement in this area by promoting our program to prospective students in teacher education programs, and to attract graduates nationwide for teaching positions in this state. It is the intent of the Legislature to create a permanent institute which, as an organized activity and on a continuous basis, will encourage and promote excellence and public awareness of the quality teacher preparation programs in our state. This institute is an effort to honor excellence in education, recognize exemplary teacher education graduates throughout the state and the nation, and to recruit and supply for our public schools highly qualified teachers.

(b) There is established within the office of the secretary of education and the arts the "national institute for teaching excellence", hereafter called "institute".

(1) The institute shall be implemented by the secretary of education and the arts, state superintendent of schools, and chancellor of the higher education policy commission.

(2) Together the secretary, superintendent and chancellor shall research and report their recommendations to the legislative oversight commission on education accountability during the January, two thousand two, legislative interim meeting period, regarding a method of funding and implementing the provisions of this section.

(3) The report and recommendations submitted shall contain at least the following:

(A) A method for administering a collaborative effort on the part of West Virginia colleges and universities with an approved teacher education program to provide a week-long summer academy for recent teacher education graduates nationwide;

(B) Provision for the institute's main office to run continuously throughout the year to publish materials, pursue grant moneys, conduct research and provide data on excellence in teacher education; and

(C) Provision for developing a certificate of recognition to be presented to each participant upon completion of the academy.

(1) The secretary of education and the arts,
state superintendent of schools, and chancellor of the higher education policy commission shall appoint seven members to the board comprised of the following:

(A) One member from the state department of education, selected by the state board of education;

(B) The secretary of education and the arts or designee;

(D) One certified teacher, selected by the state board
of education; and

(E) Three members selected by the secretary of education and the arts representing West Virginia higher education institutions with approved teacher education programs. One shall be selected representing a state university, one representing a public college, and one representing a private college.

(2) Members of the board shall be appointed for terms of
two years each or until their respected successors are appointed.

(3) Of the members representing higher education institutions, an institution may not be represented by membership in two consecutive terms.

(4) The secretary of education and the arts shall appoint a chairperson for the board for a term of two years and until his or her successor is appointed.

(d) The board has the following duties and authorities:

(1) The board shall select a West Virginia university or college to host the institute.

(2) The board shall establish the application process, criteria and qualification, and make the final selection of two recent education graduates from each state to attend the institute academy.

(3) The board may solicit, accept and expend for the purpose of this section any contribution, grant or appropriation from any source, and shall pursue any federal funding available for this purpose.

(4) The board shall design and develop the institute, and perform such other duties as considered necessary by the secretary, state superintendent, and chancellor, or as provided in the recommendations required by this section to be submitted to the legislative oversight commission on education accountability.

(e) Nothing in this section requires any level of funding by the Legislature.

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