First Regular Session Seventy-fourth General Assembly STATE OF COLORADO INTRODUCED LLS NO. 23-0783.02 Jane Ritter x4342 SENATE BILL 23-087 Senate Committees House Committees Education A BILL FOR AN ACT C ONCERNING CREATION OF A TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP101 PROGRAM AS AN ALTERNATIVE RO UTE TO TEACHER LICENSURE .102 Bill Summary (Note: This summary applies to this bill as introduced and does not reflect any amendments that may be subsequently adopted. If this bill passes third reading in the house of introduction, a bill summary that applies to the reengrossed version of this bill will be available at http://leg.colorado.gov .) As an alternative route to teacher licensure, the bill creates a teacher degree apprenticeship program (apprenticeship program), which builds on elements of current alternative teacher licensure programs, including a bachelor's degree requirement, training programs approved by the state department of education (CDE), and structured on-the-job training. The apprenticeship program is run collaboratively with the SENATE SPONSORSHIP Marchman and Baisley, Bridges HOUSE SPONSORSHIP Kipp and Wilson, Shading denotes HOUSE amendment. Double underlining denotes SENATE amendment. Capital letters or bold & italic numbers indicate new material to be added to existing law. Dashes through the words or numbers indicate deletions from existing law. United States department of labor apprenticeship office (DOL office) and utilizes apprentice mentor teachers and apprenticeship program sponsors. The bill allows CDE to issue a teacher apprenticeship authorization (authorization) to a person (apprentice) who is employed by a school district, board of cooperative services, charter school, or institute charter school (school) who is actively registered in an apprenticeship program, and who is actively enrolled in an affiliated bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution. The authorization is valid for 4 years while the apprentice completes the bachelor's degree requirement of the program. CDE may renew the authorization for 2 years. An authorization is invalid if the apprentice withdraws from any part of the apprenticeship program or fails to make satisfactory progress. Upon application from an entity with expertise in apprenticeship or teacher preparation, CDE shall authorize the entity to serve as a teacher apprenticeship program sponsor (sponsor). Applications to serve as a sponsor must include a proposed work process schedule and related instruction required by the DOL office. CDE shall review each application and approve or disapprove the sponsor. If approved, the sponsor may apply to CDE for approval of an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program must meet the following criteria: ! Be registered with the DOL office; ! Incorporate a bachelor's degree program from an accredited institution in a related field of study relative to the licensure type; and ! Incorporate on-the-job training in meaningful and time-saving ways. Every 5 years after apprenticeship program approval, CDE shall consult with the DOL office concerning the federally required audit of the apprenticeship program to ensure the apprenticeship program continues to meet requirements. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Colorado:1 SECTION 1. Legislative declaration. (1) The general assembly2 finds and declares that:3 (a) The state of Colorado has a significant teacher shortage;4 (b) According to the Colorado department of education, in the5 2021-22 school year, the state needed to hire seven thousand teachers and6 other support services professionals;7 (c) The existing teacher preparation system produced three8 SB23-087-2- thousand two hundred and one educators, leaving a gap of three thousand1 seven hundred and ninety-nine educators. Further, persons who complete2 existing teacher preparation programs do not represent the diverse3 populations they serve, as seventy-two percent of persons who complete4 such programs are female and seventy-four percent are White.5 (d) The current paths to teacher licensure limit the number and6 types of individuals who can access them. The existing traditional and7 alternative teacher preparation programs have established important8 standards of rigor that can be applied to new frameworks to positively9 impact the teacher shortage.10 (e) New paths to licensure are more suitable for first-generation11 college students, individuals who require full-time employment,12 individuals already working in schools, individuals outside of the13 commuting distance of existing teacher programs, and others who lack14 access to traditional teacher preparation programs;15 (f) The current alternative path to teacher licensure offers an16 opportunity only for those individuals who already hold a bachelor's17 degree;18 (g) Another option to make teacher licensure accessible to19 Coloradans who do not yet hold a bachelor's degree is necessary to20 expand the teacher candidate pool and meet the needs of Colorado's21 schools and students;22 (h) A teacher degree apprenticeship program builds on elements23 established by current alternative routes, including a bachelor's degree24 requirement, department of education-approved training programs, and25 structured on-the-job training. A teacher degree apprenticeship program26 gets teachers teaching more quickly, keeps rural residents training and27 SB23-087 -3- working in their communities, and ultimately sets apprentices up for1 success by putting first-year teachers in the classroom with years of2 practical experience from an apprenticeship. It positions apprentices to3 begin the first year of teaching with more than four thousand hours of4 on-the-job experience and creates flexibility without sacrificing quality5 standards.6 (i) A paid United States department of labor-approved registered7 apprenticeship incorporated into a licensure pathway would create a more8 equitable path to a career in education. Apprenticeship in a teacher9 licensure program further ensures quality by not only adhering to the10 United States department of labor-approved registered apprenticeship11 competencies, but also aligns with the Colorado department of education12 quality standards.13 (j) Coloradans would benefit from an earn-and-learn model that14 incorporates apprenticeship and allows for flexibility in degree and15 licensure.16 (2) Therefore, the general assembly declares that it is necessary to17 create a new teacher licensure program in Colorado that authorizes18 registered apprenticeship as a path to licensure.19 SECTION 2. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-102, add20 (3.5), (6.5), (6.7), (8.5), (9.1), (22), and (23) as follows:21 22-60.5-102. Definitions. As used in this article 60.5, unless the22 context otherwise requires:23 (3.5) "A FFILIATED BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM" MEANS THE24 BACHELOR'S DEGREE THAT IS IDENTIFIED IN THE INSTRUCTION PLAN25 SUBMITTED BY THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR .26 (6.5) "A PPRENTICE MENTOR TEACHER" MEANS A PROFESSIONALLY27 SB23-087 -4- LICENSED TEACHER IN GOOD STANDING , DESIGNATED BY THE1 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR , WHO PROVIDES EXEMPLARY2 MODELING AND COUNSELING TO A TEACHER APPRENTICE , WHO IS TRAINED3 IN THE APPRENTICESHIP MODEL, AND WHO TAKES RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE4 TRAINING, MENTORING, AND PROGRESS OF THE TEACHER APPRENTICE .5 (6.7) "A PPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR " MEANS AN ENTITY6 RESPONSIBLE FOR THE REGISTRATION, ADMINISTRATION, AND OPERATION7 OF A TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM .8 (8.5) "B OARD OF COOPERATIVE SERVICES" OR "BOCES" HAS THE9 SAME MEANING AS SET FORTH IN SECTION 22-5-103.10 (9.1) "C ERTIFICATE OF APPRENTICESHIP COMPLETION " MEANS A11 CERTIFICATE THAT HAS BEEN ISSUED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT12 OF LABOR OR THE COLORADO APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY THAT CERTIFIES13 A TEACHER APPRENTICE HAS SATISFACTORILY GAINED THE SKILLS ,14 ABILITIES, AND COMPETENCIES, AND COMPLETED THE REQUIREMENTS OF15 AN APPRENTICESHIP.16 (22) "T EACHER APPRENTICE", OR "APPRENTICE", MEANS A17 STUDENT WHO IS REGISTERED AND ENROLLED IN AN APPROVED TEACHER18 DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM , IS ENROLLED IN AN AFFILIATED19 BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM FROM AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTION , AND20 HAS OBTAINED A COLORADO TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION21 PURSUANT TO SECTION 22-60.5-111. A "TEACHER APPRENTICE" CAN ALSO22 MEAN A STUDENT ENROLLED IN AN APPROVED TEACHER DEGREE23 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT IS REGISTERED BEFORE THE EFFECTIVE24 DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION (22).25 (23) "T EACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM " MEANS A26 TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAM CONTAINING ALL OF THE ELEMENTS OF A27 SB23-087 -5- COMPETENCY-BASED APPRENTICESHIP REQUIRED BY THE UNITED STATES1 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR AND APPROVED BY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF2 EDUCATION AND SPONSORED BY AN A PPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR3 OR A TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM APPROVED PRIOR TO THE4 EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS SUBSECTION (23).5 SECTION 3. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-111, add6 (16) as follows:7 22-60.5-111. Authorization - types - applicants' qualifications8 - rules. (16) Teacher apprenticeship authorization. (a) (I) T HE9 DEPARTMENT MAY ISSUE A TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION TO10 AN APPRENTICE THAT ALLOWS THE APPRENTICE TO BE EMPLOYED BY A11 SCHOOL DISTRICT AS A TEACHER APPRENTICE IN ROLES OF INCREASING12 RESPONSIBILITY, INCLUDING WORKING AS A SUBSTITUTE TEACHER AND A13 TEACHER OF RECORD . TO RECEIVE A TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP14 AUTHORIZATION, A PERSON SHALL:15 (A) B E EMPLOYED BY A SCHOOL DISTRICT , BOCES, CHARTER16 SCHOOL, OR INSTITUTE CHARTER SCHOOL AS A TEACHER APPRENTICE ;17 (B) B E ACTIVELY REGISTERED IN A TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP18 PROGRAM; AND19 (C) B E ACTIVELY ENROLLED IN AN AFFILIATED BACHELOR 'S20 DEGREE PROGRAM FROM AN ACCREDITED INSTITUTION .21 (II) T HE DEPARTMENT SHALL ISSUE A TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP22 AUTHORIZATION TO A PERSON WHO MEETS THE CRITERIA PURSUANT TO23 SUBSECTION (16)(a)(I) OF THIS SECTION NO LATER THAN THIRTY DAYS24 AFTER RECEIPT OF THE INITIAL APPLICATION.25 (III) T HE TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION IS VALID FOR26 A PERIOD OF FOUR YEARS WHILE THE APPRENTICE COMPLETES THE27 SB23-087 -6- AFFILIATED BACHELOR 'S DEGREE AND ON -THE-JOB TRAINING1 REQUIREMENTS. THE DEPARTMENT MAY RENEW THE AUTHORIZATION FOR2 TWO YEARS AND MAY PROVIDE ADDITIONAL TWO -YEAR EXTENSIONS AT ITS3 DISCRETION.4 (IV) T HE TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION IS5 AUTOMATICALLY REVOKED IF THE TEACHER APPRENTICE WITHDRAWS6 FROM THE TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM OR WITHDRAWS FROM THE7 AFFILIATED BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM . THE APPRENTICESHIP8 PROGRAM SPONSOR MAY REVOKE THE AUTHORIZATION IF THE APPRENTICE9 DOES NOT MAKE SATISFACTORY PROGRESS IN THE TEACHER10 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM , AS DETERMINED BY THE EMPLOYER . THE11 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR IS RESPONSIBLE FOR NOTIFYING THE12 DEPARTMENT WHEN AN APPRENTICE WITHDRAWS FROM THE TEACHER13 DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM .14 (b) T HE TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION INCLUDES :15 (I) A UTHORIZATION FOR THE APPRENTICE TO WORK AS A16 SUBSTITUTE TEACHER, BUT NOT TO EXCEED THE STANDARD OF LEVEL 117 PRACTICES;18 (II) A UTHORIZATION TO STUDENT TEACH , BUT NOT TO EXCEED THE19 STANDARD OF LEVEL 2 PRACTICES, AS WELL AS ANY EXAMINATION20 DEEMED NECESSARY FOR LICENSING ; AND21 (III) A UTHORIZATION TO WORK AS A TEACHER OF RECORD UNDER22 THE TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION . THIS AUTHORIZATION23 MUST NOT REQUIRE COMPLETION OF A BACHELOR 'S DEGREE, AND MUST24 NOT EXCEED THE STANDARD OF LEVEL 3 PRACTICES, AS WELL AS ANY25 EXAMINATION DEEMED NECESSARY FOR LICENSURE .26 SECTION 4. In Colorado Revised Statutes, add 22-60.5-111.527 SB23-087 -7- as follows:1 22-60.5-111.5. Teacher degree apprenticeship program -2 standards - apprenticeship program sponsors - application for3 approval - criteria for approval - program audit. (1) T HE4 DEPARTMENT SHALL CREATE AND ESTABLISH STANDARDS FOR A TEACHER5 DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM ON OR BEFORE SEPTEMBER 1, 2023.6 T HE DEPARTMENT 'S STANDARDS MUST NOT IMPOSE HIGHER7 REQUIREMENTS OR RESTRICTIONS THAN THE STANDARDS SET FORTH IN8 SECTION 22-60.5-111 (16) FOR TEACHER APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORIZATION .9 T HE STANDARDS MUST INCLUDE :10 (a) T HE MINIMUM PASSING SCORE FOR ANY EXAMINATION , WHICH11 MUST NOT EXCEED WHAT IS REQUIRED FOR ANY TEACHER LICENSURE12 CANDIDATE;13 (b) A PPRENTICE COMPETENCIES, WHICH ARE INDEPENDENTLY AND14 EXCLUSIVELY EVALUATED BY THE APPRENTICE MENTOR TEACHER ,15 PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR , OR PROGRAM EVALUATOR ;16 (c) A PROVISION THAT APPRENTICE MENTOR TEACHERS ARE17 SELECTED AT THE FULL DISCRETION OF THE EMPLOYER ; AND18 (d) A REQUIREMENT THAT A TEACHER APPRENTICE WORKS AS A19 TEACHER OF RECORD FOR A MINIMUM OF ONE YEAR .20 (2) (a) T HE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL AUTHORIZE21 QUALIFIED AGENCIES WITH EXPERTISE IN APPRENTICESHIP OR IN TEACHER22 PREPARATION TO SERVE AS APPR ENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSORS IN23 PARTNERSHIP WITH EMPLOYER PARTNERS , INCLUDING ANY SCHOOL24 DISTRICTS, BOCES, CHARTER SCHOOLS , NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS , OR25 INSTITUTES. THE DEPARTMENT SHALL DETERMINE THE NUMBER OF NEW26 AGENCIES ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE AUTHORIZATION .27 SB23-087 -8- (b) AN ENTITY THAT WISHES TO SERVE AS AN APPRENTICESHIP1 PROGRAM SPONSOR SHALL NOTIFY THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION2 AND SUBMIT AN APPLICATION THAT , AT A MINIMUM, DOCUMENTS THE3 ENTITY'S EXPERTISE WITH APPRENTICESHIP OR WITH TEACHER4 PREPARATION.5 (c) W ITHIN THIRTY DAYS AFTER AN ENTITY SUBMITS A COMPLETE6 APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION , THE STATE7 BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL NOTIFY THE ENTITY THAT THE STATE BOARD8 OF EDUCATION HAS EITHER APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED THE SPONSORSHIP9 APPLICATION.10 (3) (a) I N ADDITION TO SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION TO BE11 APPROVED AS AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR , THE ENTITY SHALL12 SUBMIT AN APPLICATION FOR THE SPONSOR 'S TEACHER DEGREE13 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION FOR14 APPROVAL. THE APPLICATION FOR THE TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP15 PROGRAM MUST INCLUDE A PROPOS ED WORK PROCESS SCHEDULE AND16 RELATED INSTRUCTION PLAN AS SET FORTH BY THE UNITED STATES17 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.18 (b) T HE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL REVIEW19 APPLICATIONS FOR THE TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM AND20 SHALL MAKE RECOMMENDATIONS TO THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION21 FOR APPROVAL OR DENIAL OF THE APPLICATIONS .22 (c) W ITHIN NINETY DAYS AFTER AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM23 SPONSOR SUBMITS A COMPLETE APPLICATION TO THE STATE DEPARTMENT24 OF EDUCATION, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL NOTIFY THE25 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONS OR THAT THE STATE BOARD OF26 EDUCATION HAS EITHER APPROVED OR DENIED THE APPLICATION FOR THE27 SB23-087 -9- TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM . IF THE APPLICATION IS1 DENIED, THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION SHALL CITE THE REASONS FOR2 THE DENIAL.3 (4) A N APPROVED TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM4 MUST MEET THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA :5 (a) B E REGISTERED WITH THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF6 LABOR OR THE COLORADO APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY ;7 (b) I NCLUDE A PLAN FOR TRAINING AND SUPPORTING APPRENTICE8 MENTOR TEACHERS;9 (c) I NCLUDE A WAGE SCALE COMMENSURATE WITH EXISTING PAY10 SCALES WITHIN THE SCHOOL DISTRICT BASED ON THE LEVEL OF WORK11 BEING PERFORMED;12 (d) T HE APPROVED TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM13 INCORPORATES A BACHELOR 'S DEGREE PROGRAM FROM AN ACCREDITED14 INSTITUTION IN A RELATED FIELD OF STUDY RELATIVE TO THE LICENSURE15 TYPE FIELD OF STUDY RELATED TO THE ENDORSEMENT AREA THAT THE16 PROGRAM'S PARTICIPANTS WILL PURSUE . THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE17 PROGRAM DOES NOT NEED TO BE AN APPROVED EDUCATOR PREPARATION18 PROGRAM PURSUANT TO SECTION 23-1-121.19 (e) T HE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM REFERENCED IN20 SUBSECTION (4)(d) OF THIS SECTION MUST INCORPORATE ON -THE-JOB21 TRAINING IN MEANINGFUL AND TIME-SAVING WAYS THROUGH ONE OF THE22 FOLLOWING MECHANISMS :23 (I) O FFERING THIRTY OR MORE CREDITS FOR SUCCESSFULLY24 COMPLETING ON-THE-JOB TRAINING;25 (II) C REATING A RESIDENCY MODEL THAT COUNTS AS26 TWENTY-FIVE PERCENT OR MORE TOWARD THE DEGREE ;27 SB23-087 -10- (III) FULFILLING HOMEWORK REQUIREMENTS FOR SIXTY OR MORE1 CREDITS IN THE BACHELOR'S DEGREE PROGRAM; OR2 (IV) O PERATING AS A COMPETENCY-BASED BACHELOR'S DEGREE3 PROGRAM.4 (5) (a) E VERY FIVE YEARS AFTER PROGRAM APPROVAL , THE STATE5 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL CONSULT WITH THE UNITED STATES6 DEPARTMENT OF LABOR APPRENTICESHIP OFFICE , OR COLORADO7 APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY REPRESENTATIVES , REGARDING THE AUDIT8 REQUIRED PURSUANT TO 29 CFR 29.3 TO REVIEW PROGRAM COMPLIANCE9 AND AUDIT FINDINGS TO ENSURE THE APPROVED TEACHER DEGREE10 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM CONTINUES TO MEET THE REQUIREMENTS . AN11 APPROVED TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM THAT DOES NOT12 MEET THE REQUIREMENTS IS SUBJECT TO DISQUALIFICATION BY THE STATE13 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR14 APPRENTICESHIP OFFICE, OR THE COLORADO APPRENTICESHIP AGENCY .15 (b) I F DISQUALIFIED, THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR MAY16 CONTINUE TO OPERATE THE TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM17 ONLY AS LONG AS NECESSARY TO ALLOW THE ACTIVELY REGISTERED18 APPRENTICES TO FINISH.19 (c) I F THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR REDESIGNS THE20 TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM TO MEET THE21 REQUIREMENTS, AND THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION APPROVES THE22 REDESIGNED TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM , THE23 APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SPONSOR MAY REINSTATE APPRENTICESHIP24 ENROLLMENT.25 (6) T HE STATE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION SHALL ANNUALLY26 INCLUDE DATA ON TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAMS IN THE27 SB23-087 -11- EXISTING EDUCATOR PREPARATI ON PROGRAM REPORT DASHBOARD ,1 CONSISTENT WITH THE DATA AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS IN SECTION2 22-2-112 (1)(q). T HE DEPARTMENT SHALL COORDINATE WITH THE UNITED3 S TATES DEPARTMENT OF LABOR OR THE COLORADO APPRENTICESHIP4 AGENCY TO SOURCE THE DATA .5 SECTION 5. In Colorado Revised Statutes, 22-60.5-201, amend6 (1)(c)(II) introductory portion and (1)(c)(II)(B); and add (1)(c)(II)(C) as7 follows:8 22-60.5-201. Types of teacher licenses issued - term - rules.9 (1) The department is designated as the sole agency authorized to issue10 the following teacher licenses to persons of good moral character:11 (c) Professional teacher license. (II) The department of 12 education may, in its discretion, issue a professional teacher license to any13 applicant who:14 (B) Has previously held a professional teacher license issued15 pursuant to this article ARTICLE 60.5 or an equivalent certificate which16 THAT was issued pursuant to article 60 of this title TITLE 22 prior to July17 1, 1994; OR18 (C) H OLDS A CERTIFICATE OF APPRENTICESHIP COMPLETION FROM19 AN APPROVED TEACHER DEGREE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM PURSUANT TO20 SECTION 22-60.5-111.21 SECTION 6. Act subject to petition - effective date. This act22 takes effect at 12:01 a.m. on the day following the expiration of the23 ninety-day period after final adjournment of the general assembly; except24 that, if a referendum petition is filed pursuant to section 1 (3) of article V25 of the state constitution against this act or an item, section, or part of this26 act within such period, then the act, item, section, or part will not take27 SB23-087 -12- effect unless approved by the people at the general election to be held in1 November 2024 and, in such case, will take effect on the date of the2 official declaration of the vote thereon by the governor.3 SB23-087 -13-