Senate Bill 2565 Summary

• Establishes a Critical Teacher Shortage Area License beginning July 1, 2019, for educators in designated shortage areas with alternative qualification pathways including lower test scores, portfolio submissions, or retired teacher status.

• Requires school districts using critical teacher shortage area licenses to provide minimum 50 hours of additional professional development during the first three years of employment and assign a veteran mentor teacher during the first two years.

• Authorizes retired teachers with 25+ years of creditable service to be reemployed as teachers in critical shortage areas while continuing to receive retirement benefits plus beginning teacher salary.

• Allows the State Department of Education to collaborate with universities and school administrators to develop alternative licensing procedures specifically designed to reduce the number of uncertified teachers in critical shortage areas by 75%.

• Requires school districts to make formal written requests to the State Department of Education at the conclusion of each academic term to use critical teacher shortage area licenses.