HB 1780 - DIGEST

     Finds and declares:  (1) Public school educators and administrators should be afforded the decision-making authority over preparation, licensing, and standards of their practice, a responsibility long held by members of other professions including law, medicine, nursing, engineering, and real estate;

     (2) creation of a public, rule-making body whose sole focus is educator preparation, licensure, assessment, and standards of practice will bring greater public focus and attention to the profession;

     (3) professional educator standards boards are consumer protection boards, establishing policies to ensure the public that its practitioners are competent;

     (4) the highest possible standards for all educators are essential in ensuring attainment of high standards by all students;

     (5) professional educator standards boards in other states have increased the rigor of standards for preparation, admission to, and continuation in the profession; and

     (6) professional educator standards boards are responsible to their state legislatures, and thus to all citizens.