MO SB782

Adds a new pathway for teacher certification based on American Board for Certification of Teacher Excellence (ABCTE) certification, requiring 60 contact hours of verified classroom experience, except for elementary education which requires 90 contact hours with at least 30 in an elementary classroom.

ABCTE certificate holders must complete 30 contact hours of professional development within four years, validate completion of a two-year mentoring program, achieve successful performance-based teacher evaluation, and participate in a beginning teacher assistance program to obtain a career continuous professional certificate.

Initial four-year ABCTE certificates are not available for early childhood education or special education, though the bill removes the prior exemption for elementary education.

ABCTE certificate holders are responsible for program fees unless their school district develops a policy for fee reimbursement.

Establishes requirements for career continuous professional certificates including 15 annual contact hours of professional development, with exemptions available for teachers with 10+ years experience, master's degrees, or rigorous national certifications.