Office of Governor Gary Locke
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 3, 2001
Contact:  Governor's Communications Office, 360-902-4136

Locke signs Senate Bill 5695 for alternative routes to teaching certification

FEDERAL WAY - Gov. Gary Locke today signed Senate Bill 5695, which creates the "Alternative Routes to Teaching Partnership" Grant Program.

Sen. Tracey Eide, the bill's prime sponsor, Superintendent of Public Instruction Terry Bergeson, Tom Charouhas, chair of the Professional Educator Standards Board and representatives from a number of Washington school districts joined the governor at a school library in Federal Way to celebrate this state investment in addressing teacher shortages.

"The strength of this program is that it establishes faster, more flexible routes to teaching without sacrificing the quality of teaching our students need," said Locke. "This program starts by identifying highly-qualified individuals, and then provides the training and support they require to become highly-qualified teachers."

Locke noted that school districts are suffering from teacher shortages, especially in subjects such as math and science, where Washington offers a tremendous pool of prospective teachers.

"We have many people in our state who retire early from the private sector or are mid-career professionals with expertise in needed subject areas who want to transition to the teaching profession," Locke said.

"Many of these individuals, however, are unable to return to college for a year or more, or are unable to quit their current job and forego a paycheck for a year while they pursue full-time study," he added.

Through flexible coursework and training provided at night and on weekends, these individuals can continue their employment and complete a teaching internship with a skilled mentor teacher.

The governor acknowledged the work of the Professional Educator Standards Board and of the legislators who brought this important bill forward.

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