HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 40
INTRODUCED BY N. BIXBY
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA REQUESTING THAT THE BOARD OF PUBLIC EDUCATION STUDY THE USE OF THE PRE-PROFESSIONAL SKILLS TEST AS AN ENTRY TEST FOR ADMISSION INTO THE TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN MONTANA AND MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE 58TH LEGISLATURE.
WHEREAS, national reports estimate that the United States will need 1.7 to 2.7 million new teachers between 2000 and 2010; and
WHEREAS, next year in Montana, because of retirements and turnover, there will be approximately 900 teaching positions to fill with teachers who are not currently in the system; and
WHEREAS, American Indians make up about 11% of the public school population, but American Indian teachers compose only 2% of the public school certified staff; and
WHEREAS, an examination of teacher certification in Montana may reveal some areas for improvement that will result in more teachers, especially American Indian teachers, being certified.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:
That the Board of Public Education be requested to study the use of the Pre-Professional Skills Test (PPST) as an entry test for admission into the teacher education programs in the Montana University System, including programs in partnership with tribal colleges, and in private colleges, with specific attention to the following:
(1) the number of candidates taking the PPST every year, with particular attention paid to the ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and age of the candidates;
(2) the pass/fail rate on the separate content areas of the test of the candidates taking the test, disaggregated by ethnicity, gender, socioeconomic status, and age of the candidates;
(3) the number of candidates who pass or fail the PPST and in which college or university they are enrolled;
(4) the number of candidates who take the PPST more than once and the number of times that the test is taken;
(5) what teacher education programs do to prepare candidates to take the PPST;
(6) the number of candidates who pass the PPST and who go on to complete the teacher education programs and become certified;
(7) the college programs or career paths taken by those candidates who fail the PPST;
(8) a review of any state or national studies that look at problems with cultural biases in the PPST or any other problems with the test; and
(9) a comparison of the use of the PPST with the National Teacher Examination in determining the certification of teachers.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that all aspects of the study, including presentation and review requirements, be concluded prior to December 15, 2002.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the final results of the study, including any findings, conclusions, comments, or recommendations of the appropriate committee, be reported to the 58th Legislature.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution be sent by the Secretary of State to the Board of Public Education.
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