H 7614Uncategorized

Education - Certification of Teachers

This bill pauses the requirement for new teachers to pass standardized tests for state certification until July 2028.

Held for study

Population
Affected

Introduced Feb 11, 2026Committee House Education

Plain-English Summary

This legislation temporarily suspends the requirement for prospective teachers to pass standardized examinations to obtain a teaching certificate in Rhode Island. This suspension remains in effect until July 1, 2028. During this period, applicants for state teaching certification will not be required to take assessments designated by the Board or Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. However, this change does not exempt students from taking tests that are mandatory requirements within their specific accredited college or university teacher preparation programs.

For younger readers

Usually, people who want to become teachers have to take special big tests to get their license from the state. This new law changes that rule for a few years. Until the summer of 2028, new teachers will not have to take these specific state tests to be allowed to teach in schools. They still have to finish their college classes to learn how to be a teacher, but the state is pausing the rule about the extra test for now.

Who & Where It Applies

Impacted groups

Prospective teachersSchool districtsK-12 StudentsParentsTeacher preparation programs

Impacted communities

All

Constitutional & Fiscal Check

None Likely

Estimated cost

None

Estimated revenue

None

Bill Analysis

Both viewpoints

For Progressives

Removes a significant barrier to entry for aspiring teachers from marginalized communities, as standardized tests have historically shown racial and cultural biases that disproportionately exclude people of color.
Addresses the critical teacher shortage in public schools by streamlining the certification process, ensuring that students in under-resourced districts have access to educators.
Eliminates the financial burden of expensive testing fees for prospective teachers, making the profession more accessible to individuals from lower-income backgrounds.
Could potentially result in less qualified educators entering the workforce, which may disproportionately affect students in low-income districts who already face educational disparities.
Removes a metric used to ensure a baseline of subject matter competency, raising concerns about whether new teachers are fully prepared to meet the diverse needs of students.
The temporary nature of the suspension creates uncertainty for the future of the teaching workforce rather than implementing a permanent, systemic reform to teacher credentialing.

For Conservatives

Reduces government red tape and occupational licensing requirements, allowing individuals to enter the workforce more freely without bureaucratic hurdles.
Promotes a free-market approach to labor shortages by lowering artificial barriers to entry, enabling schools to fill vacancies more efficiently.
Decreases the influence and revenue of the centralized testing organizations that administer these assessments, shifting focus back to practical preparation.
Undermines meritocracy and educational standards by removing objective measures of subject matter competence, potentially "dumbing down" the profession.
May lead to a decline in student performance if teachers lack necessary knowledge, ultimately wasting taxpayer money on ineffective public education.
Could be viewed as a concession to teachers' unions seeking to lower expectations for their members rather than upholding rigorous professional standards.

Votes

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Full Bill Text

Changes to existing Rhode Island law · 18 additions

SECTION 1. Section 16-11-2.3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11 entitled "Certification of Teachers [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows: 16-11-2.3. Standardized testing — Issuance of certificates.

(a) No person who obtained an initial certificate prior to January 8, 2002 shall be barred from certification under this chapter solely because of his or her score on any standardized teacher’s examination; provided, however, that he or she successfully completes an assessment, based on criteria established by the board of regents for elementary and secondary education, in accordance with 34 CFR § 200.56.

(b) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may administer a written examination to prospective teachers seeking certification.

(c) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, until July 1, 2028, the requirement of completion of a standardized teacher's examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate under this chapter shall be suspended. No applicant for a teaching certification under this chapter shall be required to take any standardized teacher's examination or assessment designated by the board of elementary and secondary education or the department of elementary and secondary education prior to July 1, 2028. Provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to any testing that is required as part of an accredited post-secondary teacher preparation program.

SECTION 2. Section 16-11-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-11 entitled "Certification of Teachers [See Title 16 Chapter 97 — The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]" is hereby amended to read as follows: 16-11-3. Certificates without examination.

(a) The board of regents for elementary and secondary education may, in its discretion, issue certificates of qualification without examination to persons who may present evidence of qualification and shall comply with the regulations of the board. Provided, that any teacher who is certified in two (2) fields or subjects of science, other than general science, shall also be automatically certified in the field or subject of general science without the need for examination or other proof of qualifications in the subject of general science.

(b) Until July 1, 2028, the requirement of completion of a standardized teacher's examination as a prerequisite to obtaining a teaching certificate under this chapter shall be suspended. No applicant for a teaching certification under this chapter shall be required to take any standardized teacher's examination or assessment designated by the board of elementary and secondary education or the department of elementary and secondary education prior to July 1, 2028. Provided, however, this subsection shall not apply to any testing that is required as part of an accredited post-secondary teacher preparation program.

SECTION 3. This act shall take effect upon passage.