STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
RS27783C1 / H0599
The purpose of teacher preparation programs is to produce individuals who are certified to teach in Idaho public
schools. Every three to four years, the State Board of Education through the Professional Standards Commission
conducts in-depth reviews of all teacher preparation programs, including those teacher preparation programs
offered by private colleges, universities and nonprofit corporations even if the program does not receive any
public funds. Though there is almost no guidance in statute, the reviews examine whether a teacher preparation
program is fulfilling 178 core specific standards, and additional 64 standards in literacy and technology and
up to 79 additional content specific standards for teaching a prospective teacher how to teach pursuant to
administrative rule.
This legislation puts sideboards around this process in statute, ensuring that the State Board of Education will
grant a teaching certificate to a graduate of a nonpublic teacher preparation program that requires its graduates to
have a bachelor’s degree, complete a criminal background check, complete subject matter content training; and
complete training in pedagogy. The certificates are to be considered equal to those earned through public higher
education institutions. Reviews of the nonpublic teacher preparation programs will be limited to verification
that graduates of the program are meeting the criteria for earning a teaching certificate as provided in this
legislation.
FISCAL NOTE
This legislation will save state general funds by reducing the labor and time spent on the review of five nonpublic
teacher preparation programs. The Professional Standards Commission budgets $20,000 for every teacher
preparation program review. The reviews include a review team of up to 15-20 individuals – many of whom
are public employees - who make site visits for as long as a week and produce a report of more than 200 pages.
Contact:
Representative Gary Marshall
(208) 332-1000
Blake Youde
(208) 696-9447
DISCLAIMER: This statement of purpose and fiscal note are a mere attachment to this bill and prepared by a proponent
of the bill. It is neither intended as an expression of legislative intent nor intended for any use outside of the legislative
process, including judicial review (Joint Rule 18).
Statement of Purpose / Fiscal Note Bill SOP/FN INTRODUCED: 03/04/2020, 8:10 AM


Statutes affected:
Bill Text: 33-1207A