_____________ bill NO. _____________

INTRODUCED BY _________________________________________________

By Request of the ****

A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED: "AN ACT REVISING laws related to teacher certification; establishing alternative teacher credentialing; providing requirements for applicants seeking alternative credentialing and for ALTERNATIVE TEACHER CERTIFICATION programs APPROVED by the superintendent of public instruction; AMENDING SECTION 20-4-104, MCA; and PROVIDING AN IMMEDIATE EFFECTIVE DATE."

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MONTANA:

NEW SECTION. Section 1. Alternative teacher credentialing. (1) The superintendent of public instruction shall issue a class 2 standard certificate to an applicant who meets all of the following requirements:

(a)        the applicant holds a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university;

(b)        the applicant passes a criminal history background check in the manner prescribed under rules adopted by the board of public education;

(c)        the applicant completes coursework related to Indian education for all, pursuant to Title 20, chapter 1, part 5, that is required of other class 2 standard certificate applicants under rules adopted by the board of public education; and

(d)        the applicant has successfully completed an alternative teacher certification program that includes the following:

(i)         subject-area content training in the area in which the applicant seeks to be licensed; and

(ii)         pedagogical training that covers effective instructional delivery, classroom management and organization, assessment, instructional design, and professional learning and leadership.

(2)        An individual who successfully completes an alternative teacher certification program and who is granted a class 2 standard certificate under this section is authorized to teach the subjects and grade levels corresponding with the individual's completed alternative teacher certification program.

(3)        The state shall treat an individual who successfully earns a class 2 standard certificate under this section in the same manner as an individual who completes a traditional teacher preparation program and is issued a class 2 standard certificate, including following the same process for converting the class 2 standard certificate to a class 1 professional certificate.

(4)        For purposes of this part, "alternative teacher certification program" means a teacher certification program that is not provided by a public or private institution of higher education, meets the requirements of this section, and has been approved by the superintendent of public instruction. The requirements for approval of an alternative teacher certification program may be no more burdensome than as provided in this section.

Section 2. Section 20-4-104, MCA, is amended to read:

"20-4-104. Qualifications. (1) A person may be certified as a teacher when the person satisfies the following qualifications. The person:

(a)        is 18 years of age or older;

(b)        is of good moral and professional character;

(c)        (i) has completed the teacher education program of a unit of the Montana university system or an essentially equivalent program at an accredited institution of equal rank and standing as that of any unit of the Montana university system, and the training is evidenced by at least a bachelor's degree and a certification of the completion of the teacher education program, except as provided for in 20-4-106(1)(d);

(ii)         possesses a current certification from the national board for professional teaching standards; or

(iii)        possesses a current educator license from another state or country and successful experience as determined by the board of public education; or

(iv)        has completed the alternative teacher certification program provided for in [section 1]; and

(d)        has subscribed to the following oath or affirmation before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths:

"I solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support The Constitution of the United States of America and The Constitution of the State of Montana."

(2)        Any person may be certified as a specialist when the person satisfies the requirements of subsections (1)(a) and (1)(b) and the requirement for a specialist certificate provided in 20-4-106(2)."

NEW SECTION. Section 3. Codification instruction. [Section 1] is intended to be codified as an integral part of Title 20, chapter 4, part 1, and the provisions of Title 20, chapter 4, part 1, apply to [section 1].

NEW SECTION. Section 4. Effective date. [This act] is effective on passage and approval.