SB16 Summary

• Creates an alternative teaching certificate pathway for honorably discharged former members of the United States Armed Forces with at least 10 years of service who hold a master's degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution.

• Exempts military veterans from the requirement to pass the Praxis II content test, while maintaining other standard requirements including application fees, superintendent recommendation, mentor assignment, and official transcripts.

• Alternative certificates valid for up to four years from the July 1 beginning date; individuals employed for three full years may qualify for a standard teaching certificate after completing no more than 12 semester hours of education-related coursework.

• Time served under an alternative certificate counts toward continuing service status, and certificates are limited to grades 6-12 or kindergarten through 8 for fine arts and foreign language instruction.

• Effective on the first day of the third month following passage and gubernatorial approval.