Teachers testify as bill would limit adaptive physical education certification requirement to new hires

Summary

Providence physical‑education teachers and the bill sponsor told the House Education Committee that a local shift requiring adaptive certification led to displacement notices for long‑time teachers. Representative O'Brien's bill would make the requirement prospective for new hires, protecting incumbent teachers nearing retirement.

Representative O'Brien introduced House Bill 5,602 to make the adaptive physical education certification requirement prospective for new hires rather than retroactive for long‑time teachers.

"It's a simple bill," Representative O'Brien said, urging that the requirement apply prospectively so teachers who are near retirement would not have to spend time and money on a new certificate. "They're on a yearly basis. They can be displaced at any time. Right. But not but there's only like 15 teachers in the whole school district who don't have it," he said, describing the Providence context.

Multiple Providence physical‑education teachers testified that in March 2024 they received displacement letters after the district began enforcing an adaptive certification expectation. Rick Sunderland, who said he has taught 31 years…

Teachers testify as bill would limit adaptive physical education certification requirement to new hires

Summary

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