SB 20 Summary

• Removes the "preliminary" designation from teacher certificates issued to out-of-state teachers, converting them to regular teacher certificates upon meeting all requirements.

• Out-of-state teachers must hold a valid regular teacher certificate from another state and meet bachelor's degree, criminal background check, and fee requirements to be eligible for an Alaska teacher certificate.

• Out-of-state teachers must complete Alaska studies and multicultural education requirements within two years and training requirements regarding alcohol/drug disabilities, sexual abuse prevention, dating violence prevention, and suicide prevention within 90 days; failure to complete results in immediate certificate revocation.

• Removes the requirement for out-of-state teachers to pass a competency examination, replacing it with completion of education and training requirements.

• Requires the department to adopt regulations expediting certificate issuance for spouses of active duty members of the U.S. armed forces.