More on the Teacher Standards Board

Harriet testified against the proposal to create the Teacher Standards Board when the proposal would have created a temporary Board which was to have developed licensing requirements for new-hire teachers, pass these to the DOE, and expire. Finance Committees did not hear the initial legislation, as it did not contain (acknowledged) cost items. The initial legislation passed, with supporting testimony from the Board of Education and the Hawaii State Teachers' Association. Harriet attended meetings of the TSB Planning Commission, formed to design the TSB. By the second meeting of the TSB Planning Commission, members were discussing how to make the Board permanent and how to talk HSTA members into supporting changes in TSB powers which would make them less secure in their jobs. The Board lobbied for legislation which repealed the sunset provision, extended its licensing powers to teachers already in service, imposed a $50 per year fee on DOE teachers to pay for the Board's operation, and for legislated salary enhancements for teachers with National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification. Since its creation, the Board has imposed enormous costs on Hawaii's teachers and taxpayers. As predicted.

The State Auditor, one of the few honest people in State government, had this to say...

Seven years after assuming the licensing function, the board has neither an effective initial or renewal licensing program in place. The board exceeded its authority in extending licenses beyond the original authorization. It has been granting license extensions rather than renewing licenses beyond the two years set by the 2001 Legislature.

The Standards...
1. Complete a State Approved Teacher Education Program (SATEP).
...
And lookie here...

"State-approved teacher education program” means a teacher preparation program that meets the board’s state approval

and...

“Board” means the Hawaii teacher standards board.

What "Teacher Education Program" does the Board approve? Accredited Colleges of Education. Never mind the abundant evidence that Education credits add nothing to teacher competence.

Harriet will have more to say anon.