Haslam OK delaying licensure rules implementation

Friday, August 16, 2013, Vol. 37, No. 33

NASHVILLE (AP) — Gov. Bill Haslam says he supports a decision by the Tennessee Board of Education to delay the implementation of new rules on teacher licensure until 2015.

Under the proposal approved last week, teacher licenses would be tied to student test data.

Many teachers oppose the changes because they're concerned that flawed scores could cause qualified teachers to mistakenly lose their licenses.

The board approved the changes but decided to delay their implementation in order to give the board time to hear concerns and make changes.

Haslam told reporters on Monday that he thought the board's "decision was a very wise one."