The state Board of Education has voted unanimously in favor of the new tiered licensing rule for teachers, as amended; you can read my full story here at spokesman.com. Board member Richard Westerberg made the motion, and member Debbie Critchfield seconded the motion.

Board member Rod Lewis thanked the subcommittee that worked on the rule, and the governor’s education task force that first put forth the concept. “The process that led us to this rule was probably one of the most open, collaborative, inclusive processes that many of us have seen in years in the education arena,” he said. To the subcommittee, he said, “I hope you don’t mind the changes that the board is proposing today. We believe that they are responsive to the comments that we received. I’m sure that there are continuing concerns, but there have been further major adjustments here, and I hope that it’s still in keeping with the spirit of the recommendations from the tiered licensing committee.”

Board Chair Emma Atchley said she will appoint a broad, inclusive implementation committee to oversee the new rule as it take effect, assuming the Legislature approves it. “We feel that we have come up with a rule that will work,” she said. “We have to remind ourselves occasionally that rules can change, there is flexibility in the process.” She added, “Please recognize that all of us are parents, grandparents, we have been involved in education for a long time. We are doing what we feel is good work for the state, and we hope that we can take an important step today. People have been talking about reform and licensure and a lot of things for many years. Today I hope will be an historic day that we can say we have taken a significant step forward.”