Legislature passes bill to recruit more teachers

(AP) — The Washington Legislature on Thursday responded to a shortage of teachers in the state by passing a bill that would implement a number of measures to recruit new public school teachers.

Another grant program in the bill would pay financial aid to some teachers enrolled in certain teacher preparation programs.

According to the office's website, the emergency certificates are valid for two years and are used when a district "cannot find a certified teacher" in a specific area.

Santos said in an interview that raising teacher salaries are "part of the larger question," But the bill passed on Thursday was intended "to address the most acute issues with the crisis element of the teacher shortage," she said.