Connecticut House Bill HB06809

Connecticut 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/30/19
• Refer: 1/30/19

Caption

An Act Repealing The Requirement That Special Education Teachers Pass An Additional Reading Examination.

Impact

The repeal of the reading examination requirement could lead to an increase in the number of special education teachers in the workforce. By eliminating this barrier, the state hopes to address the pressing challenge of teacher shortages, particularly in districts that have historically struggled to fill these positions. The change could also assist in improving educational outcomes for students with special needs by ensuring that schools are better equipped with qualified staff.

Summary

House Bill 06809 proposes to repeal the existing requirement that special education teachers pass an additional reading examination. The bill is introduced as a response to concerns over teacher shortages in urban school districts, where it is believed that such requirements may be contributing to the inability to attract and retain qualified educators. The removal of this examination requirement aims to streamline the certification process for special education teachers, thereby encouraging more candidates to enter the profession.

Contention

However, the proposal is not without its critics. Some stakeholders argue that removing the reading examination could lower standards for teacher qualifications and may not adequately prepare educators to handle the complexities of special education. Critics warn that while the intent is noble and seeks to resolve teacher shortages, it could ultimately result in less effective teaching practices if educators are not rigorously evaluated on their reading instruction abilities. This has sparked a debate on the balance between accessibility to the profession and maintaining quality education standards.