CT HB07021

Department of Education must submit annual reports starting July 1, 2015 to legislative committees on the quality of teacher preparation programs at institutions of higher education in Connecticut.

Reports must include data on student academic achievement and progress of program graduates, classroom teaching performance measures, retention rates in the teaching profession, and survey results from graduates and employers.

Reports must also include certification issuance rates and first-time pass rates for program graduates, employment data in teaching positions, and recommendations for recruiting minority teachers and administrators.

Teacher preparation programs must require clinical experience, field experience, or student teaching in classrooms for four semesters, effective July 1, 2016, with requirements to include placements in both higher-performing and lower-performing school district categories.

Cooperating teachers serving as mentors must have received a performance evaluation designation of either exemplary or proficient in the prior school year.