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Committee approves international teacher license for certain visa holders after testimony on standards and exams
Summary
SB819, which would create an international teacher license for certain visa-holders (for example J-1 cultural exchange teachers) and specify criteria for issuance, passed with amendments; the Teacher Standards Board opposed the measure citing testing and licensing standards, while DOE and principals argued the license will help recruit and retain
The Education committee voted to pass SB819 with amendments to establish an international teacher license for certain visa holders, after a lengthy hearing that included testimony from the Department of Education, the Hawaii Teachers Standards Board and school principals.
DOE witnesses, including Sean Bacon (assistant superintendent) and human-resources staff, said they strongly support the measure and described ongoing recruitment of international teachers to fill classroom vacancies. The DOE said J-1 teachers currently employed under emergency-hire permits can work in classrooms and many principals report positive experiences with J-1…
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