The background of new teachers may soon be tested

The State Board of Educational Examiners will vote Friday on rules that would require all new teachers to pass the test of a state and federal background check. The Board’s Executive Director, Anne Kruse, says applicants are now asked several background questions on the application form for an Iowa teaching license. Kruse says however, there is no way to tell if people are answering the questions truthfully, as the board conducts only random background checks on some of the applicants. She says other states say prospective teachers call and ask if the state does background checks. If the state does, the applicant hangs up.Kruse says the rules would require the background checks for all NEW licenses.Under the new rules the applicant would have to submit their fingerprints and pay around 30 dollars for the state and federal background checks. Kruse says the board is working on an updated list of things that would disqualify someone from getting an Iowa teaching license. She says the original plan was to start the background checks next February, but it could happen as early as October.Kruse says they may eventually look into requiring current teachers to undergo a background check when they renew their licenses.