SB 199 Summary

• Creates a four-tiered educator licensure system by adding a new "Provisional License" tier valid for 1 year for applicants who have not yet passed a performance assessment.

• Extends the "novice educator" period from 3 years to 4 years by changing the Initial License duration from 3 to 4 years, allowing for expanded mentoring and support programs.

• Allows provisional license holders to extend their licenses (rather than renew) and permits initial licenses to be extended for up to 4 years when educators are not employed by a school district or charter school.

• Modifies alternative teacher preparation programs (Special Institute and Alternative Routes programs) to issue provisional licenses instead of initial licenses, with participants advancing to initial licenses upon program completion.

• Requires the Department of Education to commission an independent report by January 20, 2022, analyzing student performance outcomes, educator retention rates, and overall impact of performance assessment requirements for novice educators covering academic years 2016-2021.