Virginia House Bill HB2381

Virginia 2025 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/8/25
• Refer: 1/8/25
• Report Pass: 1/22/25

Caption

National Board Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund; eligibility.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2381 would create a special non-reverting fund to be administered by the Board of Education. This fund would enable the disbursement of incentive grants that could cover significant portions of the certification fees for initial and maintenance of certification (MOC). The bill outlines that candidates could receive grants equating to half of their certification fee upon registration and the remaining half after successfully achieving certification, a provision aimed at making the certification process financially accessible for more teachers.

Summary

House Bill 2381, proposed in Virginia, aims to amend the state's existing provisions related to the National Board Certification Incentive Reward Program and Fund. The bill establishes a framework to provide financial incentives to public school teachers who pursue or maintain national certification through the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards. The primary intent is to offer monetary support to alleviate the upfront costs associated with obtaining this certification, thereby encouraging more educators to achieve recognized professional status and enhance their teaching skills.

Contention

Notable points of contention regarding HB 2381 revolve around the adequacy of funding and the selected eligibility criteria for teachers. Critics may challenge the funding sustainability of the program, particularly in terms of whether sufficient state appropriations or contributions from private gifts and grants can be guaranteed year after year. Moreover, the bill’s focus on incentivizing only those pursuing national certification could lead to debates about equity in teacher funding, particularly regarding whether support should also extend to teachers in alternative or state-specific certification programs, or in roles outside of the traditional public school system.