Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Policy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
House approves two‑year pilot letting districts use up to 22 hours for paid teacher professional development
Summary
Lawmakers approved a two‑year pilot allowing school districts to allocate up to 22 hours (roughly four school days) of instructional time for paid teacher professional development, with a newly added requirement that districts seek parental approval for plans.
The House passed the first substitute to House Bill 100 after floor amendments narrowed the professional‑development allowance and added a parental‑approval safeguard. Representative Last proposed and successfully moved an amendment replacing an original 27.5‑hour figure with 22 hours on two bill lines; he described the change as a compromise intended to allow local districts to run pilot programs for paid professional development at the expense of instructional minutes.
During debate, members questioned whether districts could already seek waivers from the State Board of Education and whether taking blocks of time for training would affect teacher pay. Representative Last said teachers would be paid and the pilot simply reallocates class time: "this bill just provides an opportunity for a school district to have a pilot program...where up to 22 hours...would be used for professional development," he said. Representative Allen offered a friendly amendment to require that plans be implemented "after parental approval," which passed on the floor.
Supporters noted the bill is a two‑year pilot and said the PTA supports the measure while the UEA does not. The House approved the bill as amended (51 yes, 21 no) and it will be forwarded to the Senate.
