Senate Bill 2401 Summary

• Establishes an Office of Educator Standards and Licensure within the State Department of Education as a division-level unit, headed by a Director appointed by the State Board of Education with Senate confirmation.

• Authorizes the Office to establish and maintain standards for review and approval of all educator preparation programs (public, nonpublic, nontraditional, and out-of-state providers) and educator licensure and renewal.

• Assigns the Office specific duties including monitoring educator preparation program graduate performance, conducting systematic reviews of programs, establishing internship guidelines, managing educator license issuance/renewal/revocation, and maintaining a data dashboard on educator preparation and licensure.

• Amends Section 37-3-2 to require State Board approval of educator standards and license requirements in consultation with the new Office of Educator Standards and Licensure.

• Takes effect July 1, 2017.