Iowa gov says teacher licensing for vets is working

By

Staff

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad delivers his annual condition of the state address before a joint session of the Iowa Legislature, Tuesday, Jan. 13, 2015, at the Statehouse in Des Moines, Iowa. Branstad says he will work this year to improve Iowa’s roads and Internet infrastructure and to combat school bullying. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)

DES MOINES, Iowa — Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad says a teacher licensing program aimed at helping veterans and their families is working.

Branstad said at a Jan. 12 news conference that the military exchange license program has helped veterans and their spouses secure technical and provisional licenses that will keep them working in the state.

The program allows participants to teach in the state for several years without having to immediately take additional college coursework.

Branstad says the program ties in with his separate Home Base Iowa initiative, which went into effect last year. That law is aimed at giving veterans incentives to work in Iowa once their military service is over.

The licensing program is offered through the Board of Educational Examiners. A board report says more than 20 licenses were issued in 2014.