West Virginia proposes adjunct teacher permit to address staffing shortages
March 25, 2025 | 2025 Legislature WV, West Virginia
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The West Virginia Senate Education Committee convened on March 25, 2025, to discuss a proposed bill aimed at addressing teacher shortages in the state. The bill introduces an adjunct teacher permit, which would allow individuals with relevant experience or degrees to fill teaching positions in schools where certified teachers are unavailable.
Under the proposed legislation, candidates for the adjunct permit must have at least four years of experience in the subject area they wish to teach or hold a college degree in that field. Additionally, applicants must pass a background check and have no felony convictions, particularly those related to misconduct with minors. This initiative is designed to provide schools with the flexibility to hire qualified individuals quickly, especially in critical areas like math and science, where shortages are most acute.
The bill stipulates that adjunct teachers can be employed on either a full-time or part-time basis and must be assigned a mentor for support. They are also required to complete training on harassment, bullying, and suicide prevention within their first 90 days of employment. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that county boards of education post vacant adjunct positions and notify parents of students enrolled in schools with such vacancies.
During the meeting, committee members raised questions about the specifics of the bill, including whether the criteria align with those used by community colleges for adjunct faculty and how the hiring process would work if a certified teacher becomes available after an adjunct has been hired. The bill does not currently address the latter concern.
The committee acknowledged that the bill aims to tackle both subject area and geographic shortages in West Virginia's education system. While the focus is primarily on math and science, the legislation allows for adjunct teachers in other subjects as well. However, details regarding compensation for adjunct teachers were not included in the discussion.
This proposed legislation reflects a proactive approach to enhancing educational opportunities in West Virginia by leveraging the skills of experienced professionals to fill gaps in the teaching workforce. As the state continues to face challenges in attracting and retaining certified educators, the outcomes of this bill could significantly impact the quality of education for students across the region.
Under the proposed legislation, candidates for the adjunct permit must have at least four years of experience in the subject area they wish to teach or hold a college degree in that field. Additionally, applicants must pass a background check and have no felony convictions, particularly those related to misconduct with minors. This initiative is designed to provide schools with the flexibility to hire qualified individuals quickly, especially in critical areas like math and science, where shortages are most acute.
The bill stipulates that adjunct teachers can be employed on either a full-time or part-time basis and must be assigned a mentor for support. They are also required to complete training on harassment, bullying, and suicide prevention within their first 90 days of employment. Furthermore, the legislation mandates that county boards of education post vacant adjunct positions and notify parents of students enrolled in schools with such vacancies.
During the meeting, committee members raised questions about the specifics of the bill, including whether the criteria align with those used by community colleges for adjunct faculty and how the hiring process would work if a certified teacher becomes available after an adjunct has been hired. The bill does not currently address the latter concern.
The committee acknowledged that the bill aims to tackle both subject area and geographic shortages in West Virginia's education system. While the focus is primarily on math and science, the legislation allows for adjunct teachers in other subjects as well. However, details regarding compensation for adjunct teachers were not included in the discussion.
This proposed legislation reflects a proactive approach to enhancing educational opportunities in West Virginia by leveraging the skills of experienced professionals to fill gaps in the teaching workforce. As the state continues to face challenges in attracting and retaining certified educators, the outcomes of this bill could significantly impact the quality of education for students across the region.
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