ID H0599

State board shall grant teaching certificates to graduates of board-approved nonpublic teacher preparation programs that meet four requirements: hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year institution, pass a criminal history check, complete required content training aligned with initial teacher certification standards, and pass pedagogical training aligned with core certification standards.

Teaching certificates granted to nonpublic program graduates shall be equivalent to those granted to public higher education institution graduates, with interim certificates available for programs without student teaching or clinical components.

All Idaho teachers working on interim certificates, alternate routes, or coming from out of state must complete a state-approved reading instruction course as a onetime requirement for full certification.

School district boards must include coursework on reading skills development, diagnostic tools, and ability to identify students needing special reading help in their in-service training plans.

Board-approved nontraditional educator preparation programs contracting with school districts may obtain state funding up to 25% of each teacher's annual salary for up to two academic years, provided the program matches 100% of state costs and the school district provides at least 10% matching funding.