October 13, 2015

On Friday, the State Board for Educator Certification (SBEC) will have their final vote regarding changing superintendent certification standards in Texas. As the state’s largest educator group, the Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) opposes SBEC’s preliminary decision to water down these standards. ATPE has submitted formal comments opposing the controversial plan on behalf of our more than 100,000 educator members.

The change would remove the requirement that superintendents obtain two years of classroom teaching experience, among other crucial qualifications for superintendent candidates.

“We strongly support maintaining a requirement for teaching experience prior to obtaining a superintendent certificate,” ATPE Lobbyist Kate Kuhlmann said. “Our superintendent members know that without that classroom experience, they face greater challenges in meeting the needs of students, leading the district's staff, working with the school board, and responding to parents and community members."

To find out more information on this upcoming vote, please visit our blog: http://www.teachthevote.org/news/2015/10/01/atpe-opposes-controversial-change-tosuperintendent-certification-rule-submits-formal-input-to-sbec/

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The Association of Texas Professional Educators (ATPE) has been a strong voice for Texas educators since 1980. It is the leading educators’ association in Texas with more than 100,000 members statewide. With its strong collaborative philosophy, ATPE speaks for classroom teachers, administrators, future, retired and para-educators and works to create better opportunities for 5 million public schoolchildren. ATPE is the ally and the voice of Texas public school education.