Bill Summary

• Extends professional educator certificate validity from 5 years to 10 years, with renewal required every 10 years instead of every 5 years, effective July 1, 2020.

• Modifies initial educator certificate validity from 3 years to allow extensions by the Commissioner of Education for good cause or when certificate holders do not serve during the validity period.

• Expands high school graduation credit options to include grades 9-12 courses, middle school courses (grades 7-8), proficiency exams, dual enrollment, career and technical education, work-based learning, internships, and online coursework, effective July 1, 2020.

• Changes superintendent appointment for the Technical Education and Career System to follow section 10-95q procedures instead of requiring joint recommendation by the board and Commissioner, effective July 1, 2020 and 2022.

• Requires charter school governing council members and contractors with direct student contact to submit to child abuse and neglect registry checks and criminal history records checks, effective immediately upon passage.