This bill mandates the State Board of Education to reduce the clinical practice requirements for teacher candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility with advanced standing. Currently, candidates must complete clinical practice over two semesters and accumulate at least 175 hours, with specific hour requirements in the semester preceding full-time practice. The bill allows the State Board to modify these requirements, aiming to streamline the process and potentially allow candidates to fulfill their clinical practice in just one semester.

Additionally, the Commissioner of Education is tasked with developing recommendations for these reductions, which must be submitted to the State Board of Education. The commissioner is required to consult with various education stakeholders, including associations representing educators and school administrators, to ensure that the recommendations are well-informed and consider the perspectives of the education community. The intent behind this legislation is to alleviate the burden of extensive clinical practice hours, thereby making the path to certification more efficient and less costly for teacher candidates.