The future looks dim for a bill that sets up a new way for Iowans to enter teaching as a second profession. The bill to be considered next week in the legislature would let people with a college degree take a 12-week course on teaching methods, then get into the classroom. Governor Tom Vilsack says he’ll insist on “student teaching” time for those who seek an “alternative” teaching license. Vilsack says in states where student teaching’s not required for second-career teachers, nearly 80 percent of the new-to-teaching folks leave the profession after the first year. Vilsack says at this point in time there has been no effort in the Senate to address that fundamental concern. Senate leaders say they’ll debate the alternative licensing bill early next week, but will make a few changes that must be approved by the House, too.
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