DENEEN CARRIES LEGISLATION OUT OF SENATE

PROMOTING TEACHER RETENTION, RECRUITMENT

Senate Bill 265 slashes red tape and helps teacher recruitment by allowing individuals working on necessary certifications to enter the classroom sooner

FRANKFORT, KY (March 6, 2024) - This afternoon, the Senate passed Senate Bill (SB) 256, which served as one of Sen. Matt Deneen’s 2024 pieces of priority legislation.

SB 265 will overhaul Option 7, offering qualified individuals a one-year exemption to enter the classroom while concurrently pursuing the requisite certifications. This initiative aims to facilitate hands-on training within the classroom setting to gain valuable experience. Beyond educational considerations, the legislation also addresses Kentucky's economic and workforce development requirements. By prioritizing providing the best teachers for our children, we are investing in a brighter future for the next generation, recognizing them as our most precious asset.

"I spent decades in the classroom as both a teacher and a school administrator," said Deneen, R-Elizabethtown. “I would constantly hear from qualified and professional individuals with years of working experience who may not have the traditional education background to teach in Kentucky who want to start a new career in education. Because of current regulations, they see the process as too cumbersome.”

"SB 265 will give these outstanding prospective candidates more options that can help make that leap into teaching easier and smoother,” he added. “Kentucky's children are our most cherished asset. By having the tools to recruit the best possible teachers, we are putting our kids on a path that will lead not just academic success but economic prosperity."

Additional Information on SB 265

  • Individuals must still meet requirements for a bachelor's degree with a declared academic major in the area in which certification is sought or a graduate degree in a related field. For elementary or special education, academic majors may be in any area they have permission to teach.

  • Applicants must still meet minimum GPA standards.

Moreover, SB 265 removes the requirement for passing academic content assessment before enrolling. The candidate must have a passing score before receiving a professional certificate. This aligns our emergency teacher certifications with federal guidelines and assigns a provisional certification while enrolled in an intense one-year program to gain their professional certification. This adjustment in option 7 will impact approximately 300 teaching jobs across the commonwealth, helping to recruit and retain teachers in the coming years.

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Sen. Matt Deneen, R-Elizabethtown, represents the 10th Senate District, including Hardin County and part of Jefferson County. He serves as the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs, and Public Protection Committee vice chair and is chair of the Budget Review Subcommittee on Education. Deneen also serves as a member of the Senate Agriculture, Appropriations and Revenue, and Judiciary Committees. Additionally, he serves as a member of the Education Assessment and Accountability Review Subcommittee, 2024-2026 Budget Preparation & Submission Statutory Committee, and the Tobacco Settlement Agreement Fund Oversight Statutory Committee.

Please visit https://legislature.ky.gov/Legislators%20Full%20Res%20Images/senate110.jpg  for a high-resolution .jpeg of Deneen.