The bill amends Section 16-23-3.1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to introduce an additional method for approving certain alternative teacher examination preparation programs by the State Board of Education. It includes technical revisions to update the existing code language to the current style. The bill outlines that the State Board of Education shall consider specific prerequisites for approving alternative teacher education preparation organizations, such as successful operation in at least five states, a 10-year operation of an alternative teacher education preparation program, and evidence of successfully certifying at least 10,000 teachers in the U.S. However, organizations that do not meet these prerequisites can still be approved if they are certified by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation, with the latter requiring an application to the former by April 1, 2024, and ceasing to be a qualifying body for approval after October 1, 2026.

The bill also stipulates that individuals who complete an approved alternative teacher preparation program can be issued a professional educator certificate, allowing them to teach in public K-12 schools in the subject areas and educational levels for which they have been trained. These individuals will be treated the same as those holding certificates from traditional in-state certification programs and will be required to participate in the Alabama Teacher Mentorship Program if hired by a participating local board of education. Approved alternative teacher education preparation organizations must submit annual reports to the State Board of Education detailing the number of individuals who completed their program. The act is set to become effective on October 1, 2024, and the Senate passed the bill on May 8, 2024.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-23-3
Engrossed: 16-23-3
Enrolled: 16-23-3