Teacher certification and licensing laws are set to be tightened up during the current parliamentary session.And career academies, which could see public school students graduate high school with associate degrees, could be up and running by the start of the next school year.In a Throne Speech initiatives update yesterday afternoon, Education Minister Dame Jennifer Smith said that a broad ranging consultation process on improving the Bermuda Educators Council Act 2002 had concluded with many of the Government’s proposed changes accepted by stakeholders.“In essence, the law as presently drafted is too general and does not require registration by specialisation, subject, or year level,” Dame Jennifer said.“This is not in keeping with international best practice and we intend to amend the legislation to clearly stipulate this.”The intent of the law is to provide for minimum standards of professional training and development “so that students are supported by education professionals who are suitably qualified, up-to-date, competent and of good conduct”, the Minister said.“While certain areas of the Act meet or exceed international best practice, for example the provision requiring paraprofessionals and teachers and principals at private schools to be registered, there are other areas of the Act that need to be brought in line with international standards.”Dame Jennifer explained that the use of the term “educator” was one area that needs to be clarified. “Not everyone engaged in a classroom is an educator, although all assist in the education of students.”The Minister also elaborated on the Career Academies initiative, saying they were being developed by the Education Department, the two senior schools, the Bermuda College, the National Training Board and some private sector partners.“We are extremely excited and I believe that the advocates of technical education will be pleased to learn that we are well along the road to implementing a plan which could see students graduate high school with an associate degree, or graduate already prepared to fill a role in a Bermuda industry or business who has already invested in their preparation.”She invited interested private sector businesses to contact the Education Permanent Secretary Warren Jones.