Higher certification standards urged

By Thomas B. Pfankuch
Times-Union staff writer

Sixty years ago, Florida teachers who met a few state standards would be certified to teach for life.

Some states still allow lifetime certification, but today teachers in Florida must apply for recertification every five years.

''We want teachers to be current, to continue their growth and professional development,'' said Ava Belitzky, director of the state's Office of Professional Training Services for the Department of Education.

But some state and local officials say Florida's minimum standards for recertification don't go far enough to push districts to offer training for teachers, or to push teachers to get it.

''We're getting what the state requires, but we're not getting what we need,'' said Andy Ford, president of the Duval County teachers' union.

The standards set by the Legislature are similar to those used by the 41 other states who have recertification requirements in place, according to the Education Commission of the States, an independent commission that compiles educational research and data.

Some states require more training. Wyoming, for example, requires 10 college credits every five years.

A few states, however, give teachers seven or eight years to obtain the same level of training Florida requires in five, the commission said.

A handful of states, none in the Southeast, still issue teachers lifetime teaching certificates, which ended in Florida in the 1930s.

But in most ways, improving teacher training is left to individual school systems.

Bill Fryar, director of academic programs in Duval County, said the school system hasn't focused on the state standards when trying to improve its training program.

Instead, he said, Duval County is trying to provide its teachers with the most relevant training possible.

With its new plan to move training into the schools, Duval may be ahead of many other Florida school districts in improving teacher training, said Jack Carbone, spokesman for a statewide teachers' union.

Across the state, many districts have not made teacher training a priority, said Carbone, spokesman for Florida Education Association/United.

''They think it's something you can skimp on to cut your budget,'' Carbone said.

But school systems must realize, Carbone said, that cutting training or failing to realize its importance is shortsighted and will hurt teachers and students in the long run.