General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1392 proposes significant amendments to the educator certification process in Connecticut, set to take effect on July 1, 2025. The bill replaces the existing requirement for applicants to "achieve" a satisfactory evaluation on state-approved subject area assessments with a new mandate to "demonstrate minimum content knowledge" in their respective subject areas. This can be fulfilled through various means, including passing an approved assessment, holding a relevant bachelor's degree, or having a portfolio reviewed by a Department of Education panel. Additionally, the bill eliminates previous exemptions for applicants whose assessments were not approved at the time of application, thereby streamlining the certification process.

The legislation also introduces new timelines for certification requirements, particularly for elementary education endorsements, and allows for cross endorsements in teacher shortage areas based on the satisfaction of minimum content knowledge requirements. Furthermore, the bill establishes provisions for the Regional Educational Service Center Minority Recruiting Alliance to propose pilot programs aimed at recruiting and retaining minority teachers, which include a fellows program, a competitive grant program for future teachers' clubs, and a cadet teacher program for minority college seniors. These initiatives are designed to enhance workforce diversity and provide alternative pathways to certification, with the new provisions set to take effect on the specified date.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-145l