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AN ACT relating to teacher certification and declaring an emergency. 1
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: 2
Section 1. KRS 161.030 is amended to read as follows: 3
(1) Notwithstanding the age of the pupil, the certification of all teachers and other 4
school personnel, in public schools only, is vested in the Education Professional 5
Standards Board. When so certified, teachers and other school personnel shall not 6
be required to have licensure, certification, or other forms of approval from any 7
other state agency for the performance of their respective assignments within the 8
system of public schools[common schools], except as provided for by law. All 9
certificates authorized under KRS 161.010 to 161.126 shall be issued in accordance 10
with the administrative regulations of the Education Professional Standards Board. 11
After July 15, 1994, all certificate applications and other data collection instruments 12
of the board shall include a request for voluntary information about the applicant's 13
ethnic background. This information shall be available to help local school districts 14
locate minority candidates. A person who holds a certificate prior to this 15
requirement may request that ethnic information be added to his or her file. Nothing 16
in this section shall preclude the right of an individual in a nonpublic school from 17
seeking voluntary certification by the Education Professional Standards Board. 18
(2) Certificates shall be issued upon written application and in accordance with statutes 19
and regulations in effect at the time of application to persons who have completed, 20
at colleges, universities, or local school district programs approved by the 21
Education Professional Standards Board for the preparation of teachers and other 22
school personnel, the curricula prescribed by the administrative regulations of the 23
Education Professional Standards Board. 24
(3) (a) Certification of all new teachers and teachers seeking additional certification 25
shall require the successful completion of appropriate assessments prior to 26
certification. The assessments shall be selected by the Education Professional 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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Standards Board and shall measure knowledge in the specific teaching field of 1
the applicant, including content of the field and teaching of that content. The 2
Education Professional Standards Board shall determine the minimum 3
acceptable level of achievement on each assessment. The assessments shall 4
measure those concepts, ideas, and facts which are being taught in teacher 5
education programs in Kentucky. Upon successful completion of the 6
assessments and the approved teacher preparation program, a professional 7
certificate valid for five (5) years[one (1) year] shall be issued. 8
(b) If an applicant for teacher certification has completed the approved teacher 9
preparation program and has taken but failed to successfully complete the 10
appropriate assessments selected by the Education Professional Standards 11
Board, a conditional certificate may be issued for a period not to exceed one 12
(1) year.[, if] The employing school district, in collaboration with the teacher 13
education institution, shall[agrees to] provide technical assistance and 14
mentoring support to the conditionally certified teacher. The teacher shall 15
retake the assessments during the validity period of the conditional certificate. 16
The conditional certificate shall not be reissued. Upon successful completion 17
of the required assessments, a professional certificate valid for five (5) 18
years[one (1) year] shall be issued[ and the teacher shall be eligible to 19
participate in the internship program as provided in subsection (5) of this 20
section. The teacher shall not be eligible to participate in the internship 21
program while teaching on the conditional certificate]. The Education 22
Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative regulations to 23
establish the standards and procedures for issuance of a[the] conditional 24
certificate. 25
(c) If an out-of-state teacher with less than two (2) years' experience comes to 26
Kentucky after the deadline for taking the assessments, a temporary certificate 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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may be issued for a period up to six (6) months[ provided the local board 1
cannot fill the vacant position with a certified teacher]. The teacher shall take 2
the assessments [if they are administered ]during the period of the temporary 3
certificate. [The certificate shall be extended for the remainder of the year if 4
the teacher successfully completes the assessments. ]If the teacher fails the 5
assessments, the temporary certificate shall be valid only for the current 6
semester. If the teacher passes the assessments, a professional certificate 7
valid for five (5) years shall be issued. 8
(4) A reasonable fee to be paid by the teacher and directly related to the actual cost of 9
the administration of the assessments shall be established by the Education 10
Professional Standards Board. Provisions shall be made for persons having less than 11
minimum levels of performance on any assessment to repeat that assessment, and 12
candidates shall be informed of their strengths and weaknesses in the specific 13
performance areas. The Education Professional Standards Board shall provide for 14
confidentiality of the individual assessment scores. Scores shall be available only to 15
the candidate and to the education officials who are responsible for determining 16
whether established certification standards have been met. Scores shall be used only 17
in the assessment for certification of new teachers and of out-of-state teachers with 18
less than two (2) years of teaching experience who are seeking initial certification 19
in Kentucky. 20
(5) [Except as provided in subsection (3)(b) of this section, all new teachers and out-of-21
state teachers with less than two (2) years of successful teaching experience who 22
are seeking initial certification in Kentucky shall serve a one (1) year internship. 23
The teacher shall be a full-time employee or shall have an annual contract and serve 24
on at least a half-time basis and shall have supervision, assistance, and assessment 25
during the one (1) year internship. The internship may be served in a public school 26
or a nonpublic school which meets the state performance standards as established in 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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KRS 156.160 or which has been accredited by a regional or national accrediting 1
association. Successful completion shall be determined by a majority vote of the 2
beginning teacher committee. The internship period shall be counted as experience 3
for the purpose of continuing contract status, retirement eligibility, and benefits for 4
single salary experience increments. Upon successful completion of the beginning 5
teacher program, the one (1) year initial teaching certificate shall be extended for 6
the remainder of the usual duration period established for that particular certificate 7
by Education Professional Standards Board administrative regulations. 8
(6) The beginning teacher committee shall be composed of three (3) persons who have 9
successfully completed special training in the supervision and assessment of the 10
performance of beginning teachers as provided in subsection (8) of this section, 11
except as provided in paragraph (g) of this subsection. The committee shall consist 12
of a resource teacher, the school principal of the school where the internship is 13
served, and a teacher educator appointed by a state-approved teacher training 14
institution. 15
(a) If more than two (2) teacher interns are employed in the same school, the principal's 16
responsibility may be shared with an assistant principal who holds certification as a 17
principal. 18
(b) In unusual situations, the Education Professional Standards Board may permit the 19
assistant principal to serve in lieu of the principal on a beginning teacher 20
committee. 21
(c) If the teacher training institution is unable to provide a member, the district 22
superintendent shall appoint an instructional supervisor from the school district. 23
(d) If the intern is teaching in a regionally or nationally accredited nonpublic school 24
without a principal, the person filling the principal member position may have other 25
appropriate qualifications as required by administrative regulations promulgated by 26
the Education Professional Standards Board. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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(e) If the teacher training institution is unable to provide a member to serve on the 1
beginning teacher committee in a nonpublic school, the chief officer of the school 2
shall appoint an instructional supervisor or a teacher with like qualifications and 3
responsibilities to serve on the beginning teacher committee in lieu of the teacher 4
educator. 5
(f) The resource teacher shall be appointed by the Education Professional Standards 6
Board with recommendations from the local school district from a pool of qualified 7
resource teachers, and, any statutes to the contrary notwithstanding and to the extent 8
of available appropriations, shall be entitled to be paid a reasonable stipend by the 9
Education Professional Standards Board for work done outside normal working 10
hours. In the case of a resource teacher in a nonpublic school, payment shall be 11
made directly to the resource teacher by the Education Professional Standards 12
Board. Priority shall be given to resource teachers in the following order, except as 13
provided in paragraph (g) of this subsection: 14
1. Teachers with the same certification in the same school; 15
2. Teachers with the same certification in the same district; 16
3. Teachers in the same school; 17
4. Teachers in the same district; and 18
5. Teachers in an adjacent school district. 19
(g) 1. The resource teacher for an individual pursuing initial certification as a 20
baccalaureate level teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders shall 21
be a master's level teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders, if one 22
is available. 23
2. If a master's level teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders is not 24
available, the Education Professional Standards Board may allow a licensed speech-25
language pathologist to serve on the beginning teacher committee in lieu of a 26
resource teacher. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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(h) The committee shall meet with the beginning teacher a minimum of three (3) times 1
per year for evaluation and recommendation with all committee members present. 2
In addition, each member of the committee shall observe the beginning teacher in 3
the classroom a minimum of three (3) times per year. If the teacher's first year 4
performance is judged by the committee to be less than satisfactory, the teacher 5
shall be provided with an opportunity to repeat the internship one (1) time if the 6
teacher is employed by a school district. 7
(7) The resource teacher shall spend a minimum of seventy (70) hours working with 8
the beginning teacher. Twenty (20) of these hours shall be in the classroom setting, 9
and fifty (50) of these hours shall be in consultation other than class time or 10
attending assessment meetings. The resource teacher shall have completed at least 11
four (4) years of successful teaching experience as attested to by his or her 12
immediate supervisor or by having achieved tenure and be able to show evidence of 13
continuing professional development by having achieved a master's degree or its 14
equivalent or the accumulation of two thousand (2,000) hours of continuing 15
professional activities. 16
(8) By contract with teacher education institutions in the Commonwealth, the 17
Education Professional Standards Board shall provide special training for persons 18
who will be serving on the beginning teacher committees. Completion of special 19
training shall be evidenced by successfully passing the assessments as prescribed by 20
the Education Professional Standards Board. A principal hired after July 15, 1996, 21
shall be required to complete the beginning teacher committee training program 22
within one (1) year after his or her appointment. 23
(9) ]If an applicant establishes eligibility for a five (5)[one (1)] year professional 24
certificate under the provisions of subsection (3)(a) of this section[, but does not 25
become employed on the basis needed to satisfy the one (1) year internship 26
requirement], the applicant shall also be eligible for the issuance of a certificate for 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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substitute teaching as provided by the administrative regulations of the Education 1
Professional Standards Board.[ The applicant shall remain eligible for the one (1) 2
year certificate, as provided in subsection (3)(a) of this section, and for the 3
opportunity to serve the internship for a period of five (5) years after establishing 4
eligibility. If the internship is not completed within the five (5) year period, the 5
applicant must reestablish eligibility by repeating and passing the assessment 6
program in effect for new teachers at that time or by completing a minimum of six 7
(6) graduate hours toward completion of a graduate program required by 8
administrative regulations promulgated by the Education Professional Standards 9
Board. The option for renewal through completion of graduate hours shall be 10
available only for the first reestablishment of eligibility.] 11
(6)[(10)] (a) The Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a ten (10) year 12
emeritus certificate to an applicant who has: 13
1. Retired or will retire not more than one (1) year prior to the expiration 14
date of the certificate; 15
2. Met the requirements to receive an emeritus certificate as set forth in 16
administrative regulation promulgated by the Education Professional 17
Standards Board; and 18
3. Completed the required application unless the provisions of KRS 19
161.120 apply. 20
(b) The Education Professional Standards Board shall issue a one (1) time five (5) 21
year exception certificate to an individual: 22
1. Whose certificate has expired; 23
2. Whose rank upon expiration was Rank I or Rank II; 24
3. Who has met the requirements to receive an exception certificate as set 25
forth in administrative regulation promulgated by the Education 26
Professional Standards Board; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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4. Who completed three (3) years of classroom instruction prior to the 1
certificate's expiration; and 2
5. Who has completed the required application unless the provisions of 3
KRS 161.120 apply. 4
(7)[(11)] The Education Professional Standards Board shall approve the curricula of 5
any college or university, or of any department thereof, for the training of teachers, 6
and any nontraditional or alternative teacher preparation program offered in a 7
public or private postsecondary education institution, private contractor, or state 8
agency, and shall also approve the curricula of any local district alternative 9
certification program, when the curricula comply with the administrative 10
regulations of the Education Professional Standards Board for the issuance of 11
certificates and when the institution has met the terms and conditions provided in 12
KRS 161.010 to 161.120. Any student who has completed any of these curricula, as 13
approved by the Education Professional Standards Board, and who has completed 14
the prescribed requirements for the issuance of certificates shall be granted a 15
certificate corresponding to the curricula completed. 16
(8) The issuance of any certificate, except emergency certificates issued pursuant to 17
KRS 161.100, by the Education Professional Standards Board shall not be 18
dependent upon an offer of employment. The certification process, except for 19
emergency certificates, is independent of any job prospects and certification shall 20
be awarded on the basis of completing a teacher preparation program or an 21
alternative certification pathway and passing required assessments. 22
SECTION 2. A NEW SECTION OF KRS CHAPTER 161 IS CREATED TO 23
READ AS FOLLOWS: 24
(1) As used in this section: 25
(a) "Mentor" means an educator who has at least three (3) full years of 26
experience under a professional certificate and who has been trained to 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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assist a beginning educator in the same professional role with his or her 1
professional responsibilities and general school and district procedures; and 2
(b) "New teacher induction and mentor program" means a multiyear, 3
structured program of mentorship and professional development in which 4
trained mentors provide constructive feedback to new teachers. 5
(2) The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop standards and 6
guidance for local districts to implement new teacher induction and mentor 7
programs. All school districts shall provide an induction program for teachers in 8
their first year of teaching. 9
(3) Standards for new teacher induction and mentor programs shall include but not 10
be limited to the following: 11
(a) An orientation program for new teachers and other incoming teachers to be 12
provided at the beginning of and throughout the first year of employment; 13
(b) Assignment of a mentor teacher to a new teacher within the first two (2) 14
weeks of teaching and remaining with the new teacher for the first year of 15
the new teacher’s employment in the school. The mentoring relationship 16
shall be composed of activities that the beginning teacher and mentor 17
participate in together, including but not limited to coteaching, lesson 18
planning, and observation; 19
(c) The creation of a support team to provide assistance for new teachers, 20
including focus on each new teacher’s individual professional growth and 21
development plan; 22
(d) Workshops and training, including professional development opportunities 23
specifically designed for the beginning teacher that provides vital 24
information on topics relevant during the first year in the classroom; 25
(e) Workshops and training for mentors prior to assignment to a beginning 26
teacher on the skills necessary for effective mentoring; 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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(f) Opportunities for the new teacher to meet with the assigned mentor to share 1
successes and troubleshooting strategies; 2
(g) Support teams to link the beginning teacher with a network of teachers in 3
the school or district, in addition to their mentor, that the beginning teacher 4
can rely on for assistance and guidance, especially for content 5
specialization; and 6
(h) Formative and summative evaluations to provide feedback for a beginning 7
teacher to gain an understanding of his or her strengths and weaknesses 8
and to grow professionally. 9
(4) The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop evaluations and 10
rubrics aligned to state academic standards and state and local procedures that 11
shall be based on the following standards of effective teaching: 12
(a) Curriculum, content mastery, planning, and assessment; 13
(b) Teaching all students; and 14
(c) Family engagement. 15
(5) Rubrics shall describe practice in detail at different levels of performance. 16
(6) Categories of evidence shall be included to assess educator performance, 17
including multiple measures of student learning, observations, and additional 18
relevant evidence. 19
(7) Evaluations shall include new teacher self-assessment, individual goal setting 20
and plan development, implementation of the plan, formative assessment, and a 21
summative evaluation. 22
(8) Beginning October 1, 2024, and by October 1 each year thereafter, the Education 23
Professional Standards Board shall provide a report to the Legislative Research 24
Commission for referral to the Interim Joint Committee on Education. The report 25
shall include but not be limited to: 26
(a) The number of mentor teachers and the educator preparation programs that 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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were attended by the mentor teachers; 1
(b) The number of new teachers and the educator preparation programs that 2
were attended by the new teachers; 3
(c) An analysis of how prepared new teachers are upon entering the profession; 4
(d) The types of training utilized by districts to train new teachers, mentors, and 5
support teams; 6
(e) The types of remediation or supports needed by districts for new teachers 7
that were not covered in the educator preparation programs; 8
(f) The major components of each new teacher induction and mentor program; 9
(g) How new teacher induction and mentor programs are operated and funded; 10
(h) How long new teachers receive mentor support; 11
(i) The estimated annual amount spent per new teacher; 12
(j) Measures being utilized to gauge the new teacher induction and mentor 13
program’s effectiveness; and 14
(k) Impact on teacher retention. 15
(9) The Education Professional Standards Board shall accumulate long-term data 16
for analysis of the impact of teacher induction and mentor programs on new 17
teacher retention. 18
Section 3. KRS 156.101 is amended to read as follows: 19
(1) The purpose of this section is to encourage and require the maintenance and 20
development of effective instructional leadership in the public schools of the 21
Commonwealth and to recognize that principals, with the assistance of assistant 22
principals, supervisors of instruction, guidance counselors, and directors of special 23
education, have the primary responsibility for instructional leadership in the schools 24
to which they are assigned. 25
(2) For the purpose of this section, "instructional leader" shall be defined as an 26
employee of the public schools of the Commonwealth employed as a principal, 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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assistant principal, supervisor of instruction, guidance counselor, director of special 1
education, or other administrative position deemed by the Education Professional 2
Standards Board to require an administrative certificate. 3
(3) In order to carry out the purpose of this section, the Kentucky Board of Education 4
shall establish a statewide program to improve and maintain the quality and 5
effectiveness of instructional leadership in the public schools of the 6
Commonwealth. 7
(4) The instructional leader improvement program shall contain the following 8
provisions: 9
(a) Each instructional leader employed by the public schools of the 10
Commonwealth shall participate in a continuing intensive training program 11
designed especially for instructional leaders; 12
(b) [1. Effective until June 30, 2006, every two (2) years each instructional 13
leader shall complete an intensive training program approved by the 14
Kentucky Board of Education to include no fewer than forty-two (42) 15
participant hours of instruction; 16
2. Effective July 1, 2006, ]Each instructional leader shall annually 17
complete an intensive training program approved by the Kentucky 18
Board of Education to include no fewer than twenty-one (21) participant 19
hours of instruction; 20
(c) The Kentucky Board of Education shall prescribe specific criteria for the 21
training program[, which shall include a provision to allow an instructional 22
leader to annually receive three (3) participant hours credit for duties 23
performed as part of a beginning teacher committee pursuant to KRS 24
161.030(6). A maximum of six (6) participant hours credit shall be awarded 25
annually for serving on multiple beginning teacher committees]. The 26
Kentucky Department of Education may contract for specific training with 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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qualified agencies or institutions or approve programs offered by training 1
providers, including local district training programs, except that the 2
department shall ensure the requirements of paragraph (d) of this subsection 3
are met; and 4
(d) Annually, each local district superintendent shall report to the Kentucky 5
Department of Education any instructional leader who fails to complete the 6
training requirements of paragraph (b) of this subsection and shall place the 7
leader on probation for one (1) year. The Department of Education shall 8
verify completion of the required training. If the required training for the prior 9
year and the current year is not completed during the probationary period, the 10
Department of Education shall forward the information to the Education 11
Professional Standards Board, which shall revoke the instructional leader's 12
certificate. 13
(5) The Kentucky Department of Education shall ensure that training options in human 14
resource management and conflict resolution techniques are available to education 15
leaders throughout the state. 16
(6) This section shall be known as the "Effective Instructional Leadership Act." 17
Section 4. KRS 161.010 is amended to read as follows: 18
As used in KRS 161.020 to 161.134: 19
(1) "College or university work of graduate grade" means academic preparation which 20
extends beyond the usual four (4) year program of undergraduate studies leading to 21
a bachelor's degree and which is completed at a college or university accredited for 22
the graduate level; 23
(2) "Continuing education" means study or other activities to provide professional 24
improvement and personal growth for certified teachers throughout their career. It 25
may include, but shall not be limited to, university courses, an advanced degree, or 26
a combination of field-based experience, individual research, and approved 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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professional development activities, pursuant to KRS 156.095; 1
(3) "Professional certificate" means the document issued to an applicant upon 2
completion of an approved program of preparation[, recommendation by the 3
educator preparation provider,] and successful completion of the assessments in the 4
area in which certification is being sought[, and if applicable, successful completion 5
of any internship requirements, unless otherwise waived under KRS 161.030 based 6
on preparation and experience completed outside of Kentucky]; 7
(4) "Provisional certificate" means the document issued to an individual prior to the 8
issuance of a professional certificate; 9
(5) "Standard college or university" means an institution accredited by the Southern 10
Association of Colleges and Schools or by one of the other recognized regional 11
accrediting agencies or by the Education Professional Standards Board; 12
(6) "Student teacher" means an adult who has completed the prerequisite teacher 13
preparation as prescribed by the accredited teacher education institution in which he 14
or she is enrolled, and who is jointly assigned by the institution and a local school 15
district to engage in a period of practice teaching under the direction and 16
supervision of the administrative and teaching staff of the school district and the 17
institution; and 18
(7) "Teacher's aide" means an adult school employee who works under the direction of 19
the professional administrative and teaching staff in performing, within the 20
limitations of his or her training and competency, certain instructional and 21
noninstructional functions in the school program including, but not limited to, 22
clerical duties, tutoring individual pupils, leading pupils in recreational activities, 23
conducting pupils from place to place, assisting with classroom instruction as 24
directed by the teacher, aiding the school librarian, and preparing and organizing 25
instructional materials and equipment. 26
Section 5. KRS 161.032 is amended to read as follows: 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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(1) (a) There is hereby created a certification incentive fund in the State Treasury to 1
be administered by the Education Professional Standards Board. The fund 2
shall provide grants to eligible recipients for conducting institutes as described 3
in KRS 161.048(8), including the costs of salaries of institute instructors, 4
consultants, materials, stipends and loans to participants, other costs 5
associated with the institutes, and costs of assistance to teachers throughout 6
their first year of teaching. 7
(b) Eligible recipients of grant funds may be nonprofit organizations, institutions, 8
and agencies, including but not limited to postsecondary education 9
institutions, school districts, education cooperatives, and consortia of school 10
districts. 11
(c) The Education Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative 12
regulations establishing standards and procedures for the grant program, 13
including minimal participation levels and maximum grant awards. 14
(2) (a) [Priority for the institutes funded under this section for academic years 2008-15
2009 through 2011-2012 shall be for the purpose of certifying teachers in high 16
school mathematics, chemistry, integrated science, and physics, and middle 17
school mathematics and earth science under the provisions of KRS 161.048 18
(8), Option 7: Certification of a person in a field other than education to teach 19
in elementary, middle, or secondary programs. At the completion of academic 20
year 2011-2012, ]The Education Professional Standards Board shall 21
determine priority for specific institutes. 22
(b) The board shall request proposals and approve at least one (1) summer 23
institute for the purpose described in paragraph (a) of this subsection each 24
academic year. The institute shall be a minimum of ninety (90) clock hours, 25
based on six (6) hour days for a three (3) week period. 26
(c) Each individual who completes a summer institute shall have additional hours 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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of formal instruction or assistance during the first year of teaching to reach the 1
minimum number of clock hours as required in KRS 161.048(8)(b)[2]. 2
(d) [Notwithstanding KRS 161.030, an alternative teacher certification candidate 3
participating in the institute described in the provisions of this subsection shall 4
not be required to participate in the teacher internship program until the 5
second year of teaching. ]The candidate shall be assigned a teacher mentor by 6
the grant recipient the first year of teaching. Payment of the teacher mentor 7
shall be from the grant provided under subsection (1) of this section. 8
(3) (a) Individuals who are accepted into an institute shall be provided a forgivable 9
loan incentive at the beginning of the institute to encourage their participation. 10
The amount of the forgivable loan shall be determined by the Education 11
Professional Standards Board. The loan shall be forgiven if the participant 12
teaches in a Kentucky public or Kentucky Board of Education certified 13
nonpublic school for one (1) year within the three (3) years following the 14
awarding of the loan. 15
(b) If an individual does not successfully complete the institute or teach 16
[mathematics or science ]in a qualifying Kentucky school, the loan must be 17
repaid according to procedures promulgated in administrative regulation by 18
the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority. 19
(c) The Education Professional Standards Board shall enter into a memorandum 20
of understanding with the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority to 21
administer the forgivable loan incentive under this section. Based on the 22
memorandum of understanding, the authority may retain a portion of the 23
funds for administering the forgivable loan incentive. Funds recovered under 24
provisions of this section, minus the administrative costs, shall be returned to 25
the State Treasury. 26
(4) Each individual who successfully completes a summer institute shall be awarded a 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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stipend equal to the amount of the forgivable loan as described in subsection (3) of 1
this section. The stipend shall be awarded at the end of the institute without 2
restrictions. 3
(5) Grant recipients and local school districts may offer financial incentives to potential 4
participants and individuals who complete an institute from fund sources other than 5
the grant funds. 6
Section 6. KRS 161.048 is amended to read as follows: 7
(1) The General Assembly hereby finds that: 8
(a) 1. There are persons who have distinguished themselves through a variety 9
of work and educational experiences that could enrich teaching in 10
Kentucky schools; 11
2. There are distinguished scholars who wish to become teachers in 12
Kentucky's public schools, but who did not pursue a teacher preparation 13
program; 14
3. There are persons who should be recruited to teach in Kentucky's public 15
schools as they have academic majors, strong verbal skills as shown by 16
a verbal ability test, and deep knowledge of content, characteristics that 17
empirical research identifies as important attributes of quality teachers; 18
4. There are persons who need to be recruited to teach in Kentucky schools 19
to meet the diverse cultural and educational needs of students; and 20
5. There should be alternative procedures to the traditional teacher 21
preparation programs that qualify persons as teachers; 22
(b) There are hereby established alternative certification program options as 23
described in subsections (2) to (10) of this section; 24
(c) It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Education Professional 25
Standards Board inform scholars, persons with exceptional work experience, 26
and persons with diverse backgrounds who have potential as teachers of these 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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options and assist local boards of education in implementing these options and 1
recruitment of individuals who can enhance the education system in 2
Kentucky; 3
(d) The Education Professional Standards Board may reject the application of any 4
candidate who is judged as not meeting academic requirements comparable to 5
those for students enrolled in Kentucky teacher preparation programs; and 6
(e) The Education Professional Standards Board shall promulgate administrative 7
regulations establishing standards and procedures for the alternative 8
certification options described in this section. If the certification option 9
requires employment prior to certification, the procedures shall establish a 10
process for candidates to obtain an eligible for hire letter from the Education 11
Professional Standards Board. 12
(2) Option 1: Certification of a person with exceptional work experience. An individual 13
who has exceptional work experience [and has been offered employment in a local 14
school district ]shall receive a one (1) year provisional certificate with approval by 15
the Education Professional Standards Board of an[ a joint] application by the 16
individual [and the employing school district ]under the following conditions: 17
(a) The application contains documentation of all education and work experience; 18
(b) The candidate has documented exceptional work experience in the area in 19
which certification is being sought; and 20
(c) The candidate possesses: 21
1. A bachelor's degree or a graduate degree; 22
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 23
hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point 24
average of three (3.0) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) 25
hours of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate 26
coursework from a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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institution; and 1
3. An academic major or a passing score on the academic content 2
assessment in the area in which certification is being sought by the 3
applicant as designated by the Education Professional Standards Board. 4
[The candidate shall participate in the teacher internship program under KRS 5
161.030. ]After successful completion of one (1) year of teaching and upon the 6
recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 7
Standards Board[the internship program], the candidate shall receive a professional 8
certificate and shall be subject to certificate renewal requirements the same as other 9
teachers with a professional certificate. 10
(3) Option 2: Certification through a local school district training program. A local 11
school district or group of school districts may seek approval for a training 12
program. The state-approved local school district training program is an alternative 13
to the college teacher preparation program as a means of acquiring teacher 14
certification for a teacher at any grade level. The training program may be offered 15
for all teaching certificates approved by the Education Professional Standards 16
Board, including interdisciplinary early childhood education, except for specific 17
certificates for teachers of exceptional children. To participate in a state-approved 18
local school district alternative training program, the candidate shall possess: 19
(a) A bachelor's degree or a graduate degree; 20
(b) A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 21
hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point average 22
of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit 23
completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework from a 24
nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution; and 25
(c) A passing score on the academic content assessment in the area in which 26
certification is being sought by the applicant as designated by the Education 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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Professional Standards Board. To be eligible to take an academic content 1
assessment, the applicant shall have completed a thirty (30) hour major in the 2
academic content area or five (5) years of experience in the academic content 3
area as approved by the Education Professional Standards Board[; and 4
(d) An offer of employment in a school district which has a training program 5
approved by the Education Professional Standards Board]. 6
An individual may participate in a local school district training program upon 7
meeting the participation requirements as established in this subsection and 8
approval by the Education Professional Standards Board of an application by the 9
individual.[,] The candidate shall be issued a one (1) year provisional certificate by 10
the Education Professional Standards Board. [The candidate shall participate in the 11
teacher internship program under KRS 161.030. ]After successful completion of the 12
local school district training program, one (1) year of teaching, and upon the 13
recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 14
Standards Board[ the internship program], the candidate shall receive a 15
professional certificate and shall be subject to certificate renewal requirements the 16
same as other teachers with a professional certificate. 17
(4) Option 3: Certification of a professional from a postsecondary institution: A 18
candidate who possesses the following qualifications may receive a one (1) year 19
provisional certificate for teaching at any level: 20
(a) A master's degree or doctoral degree in the academic content area for which 21
certification is sought; and 22
(b) A minimum of five (5) years of full-time teaching experience, or its 23
equivalent, in the academic content area for which certification is sought in a 24
regionally or nationally accredited institution of higher education[; and 25
(c) An offer of employment in a school district which has been approved by the 26
Education Professional Standards Board]. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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[The candidate shall participate in the teacher internship program under KRS 1
161.030. ]After successful completion of one (1) year of teaching and upon the 2
recommendation of the employing school district to the Education Professional 3
Standards Board[ of the internship program], the candidate shall receive a 4
professional certificate and shall be subject to certificate renewal requirements the 5
same as other teachers with professional certificates. 6
(5) Option 4: Certification of an adjunct instructor. A person who has expertise in areas 7
such as art, music, foreign language, drama, science, computer science, and other 8
specialty areas may be employed as an adjunct instructor in a part-time position by 9
a local board of education under KRS 161.046. 10
(6) Option 5: Certification of a veteran of the Armed Forces. The Education 11
Professional Standards Board shall issue a statement of eligibility, valid for five (5) 12
years, for teaching at the elementary, secondary, and secondary career technical 13
education levels to a veteran of the Armed Forces who was honorably discharged 14
from active duty as evidenced by Defense Department Form 214 (DD 214) or 15
National Guard Bureau Form 22 or to a member of the Armed Services currently 16
serving with six (6) or more years of honorable service, including Reserves, 17
National Guard, or active duty. The candidate shall possess: 18
(a) A bachelor's degree or graduate degree; 19
(b) A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 20
hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point average 21
of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours of credit 22
completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework from a 23
nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution; and 24
(c) An academic major or a passing score on the academic content assessment in 25
the area in which certification is being sought by the applicant as designated 26
by the Education Professional Standards Board. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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[Upon an offer of employment by a school district, ]The eligible veteran shall 1
receive a one (1) year provisional certificate with approval by the Education 2
Professional Standards Board of an[a joint] application by the veteran[ and the 3
employing school district]. [During this year, the veteran shall participate in the 4
teacher internship program under KRS 161.030. ]After successful completion of 5
one (1) year of teaching and upon the recommendation of the employing school 6
district to the Education Professional Standards Board[ the internship program], 7
the veteran shall receive a professional certificate. 8
(7) Option 6: University alternative program. With approval of the Education 9
Professional Standards Board, a university may provide an alternative program that 10
enrolls students in a postbaccalaureate teacher preparation program concurrently 11
with employment as a teacher in a local school district. A student in the alternative 12
program shall be granted a one (1) year provisional certificate[ and shall participate 13
in the Kentucky teacher internship program, notwithstanding provisions of KRS 14
161.030. A student may not participate in the internship program until the student 15
has successfully completed the assessments required by the board]. The one (1) 16
year provisional certificate may be renewed four (4) additional years, and shall be 17
contingent upon the candidate's continued enrollment in the preparation program 18
and compliance with all requirements established by the board. A professional 19
certificate shall be issued upon the teacher candidate's successful completion of the 20
program[, the internship program requirements,] and all academic content 21
assessments in the specific teaching field of the applicant as designated by the 22
Education Professional Standards Board, and upon the recommendation of the 23
employing school district. 24
(8) Option 7: Certification of a person in a field other than education to teach in 25
elementary, middle, or secondary programs. This option shall not be limited to 26
teaching in shortage areas. An individual certified under provisions of this 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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subsection shall be issued a one (1) year provisional certificate, renewable for a 1
maximum of four (4) additional years with approval of the Education Professional 2
Standards Board. 3
(a) The candidate shall possess: 4
1. A bachelor's degree with a declared academic major in the area in which 5
certification is sought or a graduate degree in a field related to the area 6
in which certification is sought; and 7
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average of two and seventy-five 8
hundredths (2.75) on a four (4) point scale or a minimum grade point 9
average of three (3) on a four (4) point scale on the last thirty (30) hours 10
of credit completed, including undergraduate and graduate coursework 11
from a nationally or regionally accredited postsecondary institution[; 12
3. A passing score on the GRE or equivalent as designated by the 13
Education Professional Standards Board. A candidate who has a 14
terminal degree shall be exempt from the requirements of this 15
subparagraph; and 16
4. A passing score on the academic content assessment in the area in which 17
certification is being sought as designated by the Education Professional 18
Standards Board ]. 19
(b) Upon meeting the requirements of paragraph (a) of this subsection and 20
enrolling in an approved institute, the Education Professional Standards 21
Board shall issue the candidate a[Prior to receiving the] one (1) year 22
provisional certificate or during the first year of the certificate, the teacher 23
shall complete the following: 24
1. For elementary teaching, the individual shall successfully complete [the 25
equivalent of ]a two hundred forty (240) hour institute that is an 26
equivalent of[, based on] six (6) hour days for eight (8) weeks. The 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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providers and the content of the institute shall be approved by the 1
Education Professional Standards Board. The content shall include 2
research-based teaching strategies in reading and math, research on child 3
and adolescent growth, knowledge of individual differences, including 4
teaching exceptional children, and methods of classroom management. 5
2. For middle and secondary teaching, the individual shall successfully 6
complete [the equivalent of ]a one hundred eighty (180) hour institute 7
that is an equivalent of[, based on] six (6) hour days for six (6) weeks. 8
The providers and the content of the institute shall be approved by the 9
Education Professional Standards Board and shall include research-10
based teaching strategies, research on child and adolescent growth, 11
knowledge of individual differences, including teaching exceptional 12
children, and methods of classroom management. 13
(c) [The candidate shall participate in the teacher internship program under KRS 14
161.030. After successful completion of the internship program, ]The 15
candidate shall receive a professional certificate and shall be subject to 16
certificate renewal requirements the same as other teachers with a professional 17
certificate: 18
1. After meeting the requirements of this option; 19
2. After obtaining a passing score on the academic content assessment in 20
the area in which certification is being sought; 21
3. After successfully completing one (1) year of teaching; and 22
4. Upon the recommendation of the employing school district to the 23
Education Professional Standards Board. 24
(9) Option 8: Certification of a Teach for America participant to teach in elementary, 25
middle, or high schools. Nothing in this subsection shall conflict with the 26
participation criteria of the Teach for America program. An individual certified 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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under this subsection shall be issued a one (1) year provisional certificate. 1
(a) The candidate shall possess: 2
1. [An offer of employment from a local school district; 3
2. ]A bachelor's degree; 4
2.[3.] A successful completion of the summer training institute and ongoing 5
professional development required by Teach for America, including 6
instruction in goal-oriented, standards-based instruction, diagnosing and 7
assessing students, lesson planning and instructional delivery, classroom 8
management, maximizing learning for diverse students, and teaching 9
methodologies; and 10
3.[4.] A passing score on the academic content assessment in the area in which 11
certification is being sought as designated by the Education Professional 12
Standards Board. 13
(b) The provisional certificate granted under [paragraph (a) of ]this subsection 14
may be renewed two (2) times with a recommendation of the superintendent 15
and approval of the Education Professional Standards Board. 16
(c) A Teach for America participant [who is approved for a second renewal of his 17
or her provisional certificate under paragraph (b) of this subsection may 18
participate in the teacher internship program under KRS 161.030. 19
(d) A Teach for America participant ]shall be issued a professional certificate 20
upon the participant's successful completion of one (1) year of teaching [the 21
internship program ]and the assessments relating to teaching of subject matter 22
required by the Education Professional Standards Board under KRS 161.030, 23
and upon the recommendation of the employing school district to the 24
Education Professional Standards Board. 25
(d)[(e)] Notwithstanding any statute or administrative regulation to the contrary, 26
a teacher certified under this subsection shall have ten (10) years [from the 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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date that the teacher successfully completed the internship program ]to 1
complete a master's degree or fifth year program, or the equivalent as 2
specified by the Education Professional Standards Board in administrative 3
regulation. 4
(10) Option 9: Expedited certification of a person to teach at any grade level through a 5
cooperative program. With approval of the Education Professional Standards 6
Board, a college or university may partner with a school district to develop an 7
expedited certification program that results in a bachelor's degree and initial 8
certification within three (3) school years. 9
(a) The program shall: 10
1. Include a residency or paraprofessional component which employs the 11
person within the participating district for the duration of the program to 12
gain work experience to supplement the expedited program and reduced 13
coursework; 14
2. Utilize experienced teachers employed by the district to provide 15
coaching and to mentor the candidates; and 16
3. Be designed to meet the needs of the participating district and may 17
include an emphasis in developing a teacher pipeline for the district's 18
students, improving the numbers of underrepresented populations 19
among the district's workforce, or focusing on increasing the number of 20
teachers with certification areas that are in high demand. 21
(b) A school district entering into a cooperative partnership shall ensure the 22
availability of funding for each candidate employed within the district in the 23
residency or paraprofessional program for the duration of the candidate's 24
participation in the program. However, nothing in this subsection shall be 25
interpreted as requiring the district to continue employing the candidate 26
during the program or after the candidate has received initial certification. 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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(c) A person who has begun a traditional path or another option for certification 1
shall be eligible to transfer into this option if the person meets the program's 2
requirements. 3
(d) If a school district participating in a cooperative partnership determines to end 4
the partnership, the district shall no longer accept new candidates to the 5
program but shall continue the partnership until the district's employed 6
candidates for Option 9 certification complete the program or are no longer 7
employed by the district. 8
(11) A public school teacher certified under subsections (2) to (10) of this section shall 9
be placed on the local district salary schedule for the rank corresponding to the 10
degree held by the teacher. 11
(12) Subsections (1) to (3) of this section notwithstanding, a candidate who possesses 12
the following qualifications may receive certification for teaching programs for 13
exceptional students: 14
(a) An out-of-state license to teach exceptional students; and 15
(b) A bachelor's or master's degree in the certification area or closely related area 16
for which certification is sought[; and 17
(c) Successful completion of the teacher internship program requirement required 18
under KRS 161.030]. 19
Section 7. KRS 161.049 is amended to read as follows: 20
(1) As used in this section, "professional support team" means a school principal, an 21
experienced teacher, a college or university faculty member, and an instructional 22
supervisor. If an instructional supervisor or college or university faculty member is 23
not available, the district shall assign a member with comparable experience. The 24
school principal shall serve as the chairman of the team. 25
(2) The Education Professional Standards Board shall establish a training program for 26
professional support teams which shall be implemented by the board or contracted 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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with another agency. The training shall include content and procedures for the 1
evaluation of teacher candidates. Completion of the training shall be evidenced by 2
successfully passing the examinations prescribed by the board. 3
(3) A local school district seeking to hire a teacher pursuant to KRS 161.048(3) shall 4
submit a plan for a local district alternative training program to the Education 5
Professional Standards Board and have it approved in accordance with 6
administrative regulations established by the Board. The district shall show 7
evidence that it has sought joint sponsorship of the program with a college or 8
university. No local school district shall employ a teacher seeking certification in a 9
state-approved local district training program unless it has submitted a plan and 10
received approval by the Education Professional Standards Board. 11
(4) Each state approved local district alternative training program shall provide the 12
teacher candidate with essential knowledge and skills and include, but not be 13
limited to, the following components: 14
(a) A full-time seminar and practicum of no less than eight (8) weeks' duration 15
prior to the time the candidate assumes responsibility for a classroom. The 16
content of the formal instruction shall be prescribed by the Education 17
Professional Standards Board and shall include an introduction to basic 18
teaching skills through supervised teaching experiences with students, as well 19
as an orientation on the policies, organization, and curriculum of the 20
employing district. 21
(b) A period of classroom supervision while the candidate assumes responsibility 22
on a one-half (1/2) time basis for a classroom and continuing for eighteen (18) 23
weeks. During this period, the candidate shall be visited and critiqued no less 24
than one (1) time per week by one (1) or more members of a professional 25
support team appointed by the local district and assigned according to the 26
administrative regulations adopted by the Education Professional Standards 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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Board. The candidate shall be formally evaluated at the end of five (5) weeks, 1
at the end of the second five (5) weeks, and at the end of the last eight (8) 2
weeks by the members of the team. During this period, the candidate shall 3
continue formal instruction which emphasizes student assessment, child 4
development, learning, curriculum, instruction of exceptional children, and 5
school and classroom organization. 6
(c) An additional period of at least eighteen (18) weeks continued supervision of 7
the teacher candidate who may be assigned full-time classroom duties. During 8
this period the teacher candidate shall be critiqued at least once per month and 9
shall be observed formally and evaluated at least twice. No more than two (2) 10
months shall pass without a formal observation. Formal instruction shall also 11
continue during this period. In addition, opportunities shall be provided for 12
the teacher candidate to observe the teaching of experienced teachers. 13
(5) At least two hundred fifty (250) hours of formal instruction shall be provided in all 14
three (3) phases of the program combined. 15
(6) At the conclusion of the alternative training program, the chair of the support team 16
shall prepare a comprehensive evaluation report on the teacher candidate's 17
performance. This report shall be submitted to the Education Professional Standards 18
Board and shall contain a recommendation as to whether the teacher candidate shall 19
be issued a teaching certificate[one (1) year certificate of eligibility to complete the 20
internship pursuant to KRS 161.030]. The support team shall make one (1) of the 21
following recommendations: 22
(a) Approved: recommends issuance of the certificate[ to complete the 23
internship]; 24
(b) Insufficient: recommends the candidate be allowed to seek reentry into a 25
teacher preparation program; or 26
(c) Disapproved: recommends the candidate not be allowed to enter a teacher 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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preparation program. 1
Section 8. KRS 161.053 is amended to read as follows: 2
(1) The Education Professional Standards Board shall have the authority and 3
responsibility to certify as a teacher of exceptional children/communication 4
disorders, an individual who has: 5
(a) Completed an approved program of preparation that corresponds to the 6
certificate; 7
(b) Achieved a passing score on an appropriate assessment as determined by the 8
Education Professional Standards Board; 9
(c) Fulfilled other requirements for teacher certification as determined by the 10
Education Professional Standards Board, in accordance with KRS Chapter 11
161 and administrative regulations promulgated thereunder; and 12
(d) Completed the requirements set forth in subsection (2) of this section. 13
(2) The Education Professional Standards Board shall issue two (2) levels of 14
certification for teachers of exceptional children/communication disorders: 15
(a) Baccalaureate level certification shall be issued to a person who has: 16
1. Completed an approved program of preparation leading to a bachelor's 17
degree in speech-language pathology; 18
2. Been granted licensure as a speech-language pathology assistant from 19
the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology, 20
under KRS Chapter 334A; and 21
3. Completed the other requirements set forth in subsection (1) of this 22
section; and 23
(b) Master's level certification shall be issued to a person who has: 24
1. Completed an approved program of preparation leading to a master's 25
degree in speech-language pathology; and 26
2. Completed the other requirements specified in subsection (1) of this 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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section. 1
(3) A person holding licensure through the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language 2
Pathology and Audiology as a speech-language pathology assistant, but not 3
certified as a teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders, may: 4
(a) Continue to work in the public schools as a classified employee under the 5
provisions of KRS Chapter 334A and administrative regulations promulgated 6
by the Kentucky Board of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology; or 7
(b) Pursue certification as a baccalaureate level teacher of exceptional 8
children/communication disorders while working as a speech-language 9
pathology assistant. 10
(4) [Candidates for certification as a teacher of exceptional children/communication 11
disorders shall participate in the teacher internship program under KRS 161.030. 12
(5) ]A bachelor's level teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders shall 13
work under requirements for speech-language pathology assistants set forth in KRS 14
Chapter 334A. 15
(5)[(6)] The Education Professional Standards Board shall develop a policy through 16
the promulgation of administrative regulations by June 30, 2001, to permit a 17
speech-language pathology assistant with two (2) years or more of successful 18
professional experience pursuing certification as a baccalaureate level teacher of 19
exceptional children to: 20
(a) Substitute prior professional experience for student teaching requirements; 21
and 22
(b) Substitute prior professional experience for beginning teacher internship 23
requirements. 24
(6)[(7)] A teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders shall receive 25
salary and benefits, including membership in the Teachers' Retirement System, 26
commensurate with his or her education, certification, and experience as prescribed 27 UNOFFICIAL COPY 24 RS SB 265/EN
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by law. Years of experience as a speech-language pathology assistant shall be 1
included in the calculation of all benefits, including membership in the Teachers' 2
Retirement System, for individuals with baccalaureate level certification as a 3
teacher of exceptional children/communication disorders. 4
Section 9. The following KRS section is repealed: 5
161.1222 Pilot teacher internship program -- Report to Interim Joint Committee on 6
Education -- Appropriated funds. 7
Section 10. Whereas additional certified teachers are needed in Kentucky's 8
classrooms and alternate pathways will increase the numbers of certified teachers, an 9
emergency is declared to exist, and Section 6 of this Act takes effect upon its passage and 10
approval by the Governor or upon its otherwise becoming a law. 11