This bill amends provisions related to teacher education and licensing in Iowa, specifically focusing on practitioner preparation programs and the licenses issued by the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). Starting July 1, 2027, higher education institutions must include clinical experiences in their programs to prepare students to serve students with disabilities and English learners. The bill mandates that these clinical experiences include a minimum of fifteen practicum hours for all students, with additional requirements for those seeking endorsements in English learner instruction. The Department of Education (DE) is tasked with establishing standards for these experiences and providing ongoing support for their implementation.

Additionally, the bill requires that prior to completing their practitioner preparation program, students must take a summative end-of-program assessment to measure their preparedness in the relevant content areas. DE is responsible for developing and distributing this assessment by July 1, 2027, and setting minimum passing scores. Higher education institutions must report student performance on these assessments, and starting August 1, 2028, DE will publish data on passage rates and support efforts for institutions. Furthermore, BOEE will require individuals applying to teach in special education settings to complete a self-paced course on essential competencies as a condition for obtaining a class B or conditional license.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256.16, 256.146