Alternative Teaching Certificate
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Bill Summary - 25LSO-0343 Bill No.: SF0086 Effective: Immediately LSO No.: 25LSO-0343 Enrolled Act No.: SEA No. 0072 Chapter No.: 143 Prime Sponsor: Laursen, D Catch Title: Alternative teaching certificate. Has Report: No Subject: Alternative teaching certificate. Summary/Major Elements: This act requires the Wyoming Professional Teaching Standards Board (Board) to create an alternative certification of teachers, which is limited to the subject areas and grade levels an applicant has successfully completed. To be eligible for an alternative certification under this act, a person must have a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and have successfully completed an accredited or nonaccredited alternative certification program or pathway approved by the Board. The accredited or nonaccredited alternative certification program must, at a minimum, require passage of a subject area examination, pedagogy examination, United States Constitution examination, and Wyoming Constitution examination. The above summary is not an official publication of the Wyoming Legislature and is not an official statement of legislative intent. While the Legislative Service Office endeavored to provide accurate information in this summary, it should not be relied upon as a comprehensive abstract of the bill.
Public statements
Last checked Aug 5, 8:07 AM
R · H22
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker explains that the bill was modified through amendments to create a middle ground between House and Senate positions, allowing the State Board discretion in approving alternative certification programs without mandating district hiring.
R · H37
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the amendment because it allows non-accredited programs, which they believe will lead to out-of-state corporations charging high fees for certifications that may not be accepted.
R · H21
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe it gives false hope to individuals who will pay for a certificate that school districts are unlikely to accept, while also disrespecting current teachers.
R · H34
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe life experience and expertise in other fields are valuable assets that can help fill teaching shortages, particularly for specific subjects.
R · H29
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe individuals with years of professional experience in specific fields are better qualified to teach those subjects than someone who only theoretically understands them.
R · H49
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they view it as an optional tool that values life experience alongside formal certification without diminishing existing degrees.
R · H32
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe existing pathways already cover alternative teaching needs, making this new out-of-state certificate unnecessary and potentially costly.
R · H11
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe the education system needs to adapt quickly like other industries by allowing alternative certification programs.
R · H51
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they trust that the Professional Teaching Standards Board and local superintendents will provide necessary oversight.
R · H47
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes lowering standards, arguing that the focus should remain on reaching students who struggle rather than changing certification requirements.
R · H02
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe this specific pathway has the potential to lower educational standards compared to existing options.
R · H31
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they fear citizens will be misled into paying for out-of-state programs that school districts may not accept, causing harm to those individuals.
R · H62
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the bill because they believe removing accreditation requirements sets professionals up for failure by not providing them with necessary teaching tools.
R · H30
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe competent adults should be free to choose their own educational routes without legislative protection from potential mistakes.
R · H55
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker supports the bill because they believe offering an alternative option is necessary when certified teachers have proven ineffective in teaching specific subjects.
R · H60
Why they voted this way
The lawmaker opposes the investment bill because they believe it encourages city governments to hoard public funds rather than addressing other fiscal concerns.
If a lawmaker is not listed, we couldn't find a published reason.
Wyoming roll calls
7 roll calls
Official activity
Changes
8 stored
The amendment to SF0086 changes the wording related to teacher certification programs by replacing 'program' with 'pathway' in certain places and making other minor edits.
The amendment changes a requirement for obtaining an alternative teacher certificate by altering how applicants can qualify based on their enrollment status or completion of certain criteria.
The amendment adds a provision that people with advanced degrees are considered automatically eligible for alternative teacher certification in Kentucky.
The amendment removes references to accreditation status and specific text about applicants from the bill.
The amendment modifies the language in the bill to include both accredited and non-accredited institutions when referring to an alternative teaching certificate.
The amendment allows applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program to seek employment in a school district without needing a job offer from the superintendent first.
The amendment modifies the language related to alternative teacher certification requirements by changing references and conditions for applicants.
The amendment modifies the bill to create a clearer and more specific alternative teacher certification process in Wyoming.