Senate Bill 298 Summary

• Changes limited teacher licenses from nonrenewable to renewable three-year licenses for in-state and out-of-state licensed teachers meeting specified employment and effectiveness criteria.

• Directs the State Board of Education to develop alternatives to standardized examination requirements for converting initial professional licenses and residency licenses to continuing professional licenses by February 15, 2022.

• Extends the high-need retired teacher program from June 30, 2021 to June 30, 2024, allowing retired Teachers' and State Employees' Retirement System beneficiaries to return to work in Title I schools or schools with D or F performance grades.

• Establishes salary compensation for high-need retired teachers at the first step of the teacher salary schedule, with sixth-step placement for those teaching STEM or special education or serving as school psychologists or speech pathologists/audiologists with master's degrees or higher.

• Prohibits high-need retired teachers from receiving state salary supplements or bonuses and limits their employment contracts to one school year terms.