Illinois State Senator Dale Righter is hoping to ease the shortage of teachers with a new piece of legislation.
The proposed legislation will make it easier for teaching majors to achieve their teaching licenses. Teaching students that currently wish to receive a teaching license must achieve at least a 22 on the ACT test, a 1110 on the SAT, or pass the Academic Proficiency (TAP)/Basic Skills test. Righter’s proposed bill would add an additional option for obtaining a license. Students would need to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 out of 4.0 in their core curriculum classes.
A recent report has showed that the State of Illinois has one of the highest levels of empty teaching positions in the country. Righter hopes that if passed, the bill will allow teaching students that struggle with standardized tests an additional way to obtain their teaching licenses. Thereby easing the shortage of teachers in the State.
Senator Righter stated, “A student’s body of work over the course of time at his or her university is a far better reflection of the student’s aptitude compared to standardized tests. Superintendents and principals I speak with in my district tell me often they are having a hard time filling teaching positions. Teaching applications are down tremendously. My legislation will help every school district, especially those in rural areas, because it gives our students more flexibility in obtaining their teaching licenses.”
Senator Righter is hoping that the Bill will see action when legislation resumes on April 25th.