AB 640

This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to issue a provisional

license to teach to an individual who a) passes a background check, b) worked as a

paraprofessional for at least three days per week for at least one school year in a

classroom, and c) is recommended for licensure by the principal of the school at which

the individual worked as a paraprofessional, the director of teaching and learning

for the school district in which the individual worked as a paraprofessional, and the

school district administrator of the school district in which the individual worked as

a paraprofessional. Under the bill, a provisional license to teach that is issued based

on these criteria authorizes the license holder to teach only in the school district that

recommended the individual for the license. Additionally, during the first school

year during which the license holder teaches under the license, the license holder

must be mentored by a teacher who has taught for at least three school years in the

school district. Finally, the bill specifies that DPI must issue a lifetime license based

on a provisional license issued under the bill if the license holder successfully

completes six semesters of teaching experience.