The bill amends Section 16-23-3.1 of the Code of Alabama 1975 to enhance the alternative teacher certification process. It introduces a new method for the State Board of Education to approve alternative teacher examination preparation programs, allowing organizations that do not meet certain prerequisites to gain approval if they are certified by the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation or the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation. Additionally, it stipulates that organizations certified by the latter must begin their application with the former by April 1, 2024, and that certification from the Association will no longer qualify organizations for approval after October 1, 2026.

The bill also includes technical revisions to update existing code language and maintains the requirement for the State Superintendent of Education to keep a database of approved alternative teacher education preparation organizations. It mandates that these organizations submit annual reports detailing the number of individuals who completed their programs. The act is set to take effect on October 1, 2024.

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