SB 19-190 Summary

• Creates the "Growing Great Teachers Act" establishing Article 78 of Title 23 to improve teacher preparation programs through enhanced clinical practice requirements and mentor teacher support.

• Establishes the Teacher Mentor Grant Program in the Department of Higher Education to provide funding for training and stipends ($2,000-$2,500 per school year) for experienced teachers who mentor teacher candidates during clinical practice.

• Requires educator preparation programs to include at least one full continuous school year of supervised field-based experience (replacing the previous 800-hour minimum) and mandates teaching candidates receive instruction in science of reading and reading instruction strategies.

• Creates teaching fellowship programs for rural local education providers to prepare and retain teachers in critical shortage areas, offering eligible students $10,000 stipends in exchange for two-year employment commitments.

• Appropriates $1,217,787 for the 2019-20 fiscal year, including $1,125,000 for teacher mentor grants and $92,787 for administration.