Idaho Struggles with Use of ABCTE Certification Test

Although the Idaho State Board of Education voted 7-1 last November to accept the ABCTE teacher certification test which would qualify teacher candidates to enter the classroom, the issue remains unsettled. The test—a method to sidestep the traditional college-based teacher preparation program in Idaho—is intended to get mid-career professionals with AB or higher degrees to enter the classroom. The procedure remains controversial, but is supported by Governor Dirk Kempthorne, most on the state board of education, and others. The test was developed by the American Board of Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE), based in Washington, D.C.

In early March, State Senate Education Chairman Gary Schroeder (R-Moscow) introduced Senate Bill No. 1392 to stop the use of the computerized test until July 1, 2006, after appropriate research completed and reports could be prepared. The full text of the bill is as follows:

SENATE BILL NO. 1392
BY JUDICIARY AND RULES COMMITTEE
AN ACT RELATING TO ALTERNATIVE TEACHER QUALIFICATION; AMENDING CHAPTER 1, TITLE 33, IDAHO CODE, BY THE ADDITION OF A NEW SECTION 33-131, IDAHO CODE, TO IMPOSE LIMITS UPON ADOPTION OF AN ALTERNATIVE TEACHER QUALIFICATION PROGRAM AND TO REQUIRE RESEARCH AND A REPORT.

Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Idaho:

SECTION 1. That Chapter 1, Title 33, Idaho Code, be, and the same is hereby amended by the addition thereto of a NEW SECTION, to be known and designated as Section 33-131, Idaho Code, and to read as follows:

33-131. ALTERNATIVE TEACHER QUALIFICATION. The state board of education
shall not authorize any alternative means of denoting an individual qualified
to teach in this state prior to July 1, 2006. Prior to adopting any alternative
program, the board shall, in cooperation with the state department of
education, conduct research on the available programs, comparing the programs
in their particulars, with specific emphasis upon which programs provide the
best assessment of a potential teacher's classroom ability. The results of the
comparison and the report on the findings of the board shall be presented to
the legislature and made available to the public prior to any action to adopt
a program in Idaho.

As of Friday, March 19, 2004, Juanita Burdell, Idaho Senate Attaché, reported that “Senator Schroeder had asked that the bill be held on the active calendar,” but that the bill had not yet been considered. Ms. Burdell said that the Senate “has a full agenda left to consider” and could not predict the fate of the legislation. The Idaho legislative session is set to adjourn “within a few days,” depending upon how quickly legislators deal with the multitude of final matters still unresolved, she said.

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