Buttars' educator bill passes Senate despite opposition

A bill that would make it easier for experts in their field to become teachers passed the Senate on a second reading Thursday.

SB48 will be heard one more time in the Senate before heading to the House for potentially more debate.

Bill sponsor Sen. Chris Buttars, R-West Jordan, would like to see the teacher application process streamlined so people don't have to go back to school for years and earn a teaching certificate in order to share their expertise in the classroom.

"This is long past due," Buttars said, pointing to the teacher shortage issue.

SB48 states in order to teach, a person would only have to apply to the Utah State Office of Education, pass a criminal background check, have certain education or certification, and demonstrate competency in their subject area by passing a test or completing coursework or demonstrating skills, talent and ability.

Right now there are generally a few ways a person can become a teacher in Utah. They can go the traditional route and earn a teaching degree. They could show competency in their field and be recommended by a school district. There is also the state's "Alternative Routes to Licensure" program in which people take a few teaching courses and show content knowledge in their field.

Buttars voiced his frustration that even though he has 20 years of marketing experience, he isn't allowed to teach and share his knowledge with students. Meanwhile, there are teachers instructing who have never had any marketing experience.

Allowing experts in the classroom would be "a tremendous enhancement" to education, he said.

SB48, however, has several senators worried and angry. They voiced their concerns during the floor debate Thursday.

Sen. Lyle Hillyard, R-Logan, said just because a person can pass a competency test doesn't mean they can handle a class full of kids. "This bill doesn't require that competency," he said.

It could even be "detrimental" to the students, Hillyard added.

Sen. Karen Morgan, D-Salt Lake, agreed. "This bill could be harmful to our students," she said.

Buttars pointed out that some teachers have had years of education classes and they still can't teach.

Sen. Ross Romero, D-Salt Lake, said he believes the bill would cause a drop in teacher quality. He labeled the bill "a race to the bottom."

Sen. Pat Jones, D-Salt Lake, said, "Teaching is not just a job. It takes a very gifted person with a lot of training to be a teacher."

The State Board of Education has taken no stance on SB48.

E-mail: astewart@desnews.com