2009 House Bill 4761: Require new teachers take grammar, punctuation, and usage classes

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Introduced by Rep. Robert Genetski (R) on April 2, 2009, to require new teachers (but not existing ones) to have completed college grammar, punctuation, and usage classes.
- Referred to the House Education Committee on April 2, 2009.

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1) Re: 2009 House Bill 4761 (Require new teachers take grammar, punctuation, and usage classes ) by gypsy on April 25, 2009

I too would need to know what a new teacher's requirements are now before supporting this bill. I would be quite surprised if lanquage and writing courses were not included in classes required to obtain a teaching certificate, even in the science and math teaching certificates.

I would not favor allowing a potential teacher to "test out" of any classes. Even if they could pass the test, the class would at least improve their skills, and not be a waste of time, nor money.

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2) Re: 2009 House Bill 4761 (Require new teachers take grammar, punctuation, and usage classes ) by FreeSpeaker on April 25, 2009

I predict this will be one of those threads in which the
grammar, spelling, punctuation, diction and general structure of every post
will be scrutinized.

As for HB 4761, let’s examine what new teacher certification requirements
now are on the books before endorsing additional ones. There already is a statutory
requirement that new teachers pass a “basic skills” examination, which should
cover the ground staked out by this legislation. That seems to make what HB 4761 calls for redundant.

Further, what if a student has acquired, through “home
schooling” or other means, sufficient skills in grammar, punctuation and usage
to “test out” of a college level course?
Should that student still be required to take the course, which diverts
his or her financialand time resources away from opportunity for broadening or
deepening his or her education by taking a different course?

I also am concerned that teachers of mathematics and science
would be exempted from this requirement, per the language of HB 4761. They often (but not always, of course)
are among the most needy when it comes to the mastery of language skills.

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3) Re: 2009 House Bill 4761 (Require new teachers take grammar, punctuation, and usage classes ) by inform4 on April 24, 2009

I agree very much and support HB 4761. Some of the language and horrible grammer I hear come out of the mouths of teachers and students is atrocious. If the teachers do not know proper grammer how can they expect to introduce proper grammer in their students?

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