HB 6879 Summary

• Elementary education endorsements issued before July 1, 2023, become valid for kindergarten through grade 6, effective July 1, 2023, while endorsements issued after July 1, 2017, require Commissioner approval to teach kindergarten for up to two school years.

• Comprehensive special education endorsements (grades 1-12) become valid for pre-kindergarten through grade 12, effective July 1, 2023, with required reading instruction examination scores for applicants.

• Creates Commission to Modernize the Educator Workforce with representatives from education stakeholders to review and recommend reforms to educator preparation and certification requirements by February 1, 2024.

• Coaching permits issued by the State Board of Education are extended to five-year validity periods without requiring fifteen clock hours of continuing education for renewal, effective July 1, 2023.

• Authorizes Integrated Early Childhood/Special Education endorsements as cross endorsements and allows boards of education to employ substitute teachers in the same assignment for up to 60 school days without a substitute authorization from the Department of Education.