Issuing a license to teach based on equivalency and granting rule-making authority

What it would have done

Summary by the Legislative Reference Bureau, the Legislature's nonpartisan drafting office. It's their wording, not ours.

This bill requires the Department of Public Instruction to offer a statutory pathway to teacher licensure based on equivalency. Prior to August 1, 2022, DPI offered a similar pathway under its administrative rules.

Under the bill, DPI must grant a provisional teaching license to an individual who 1) has a bachelor's degree; 2) has at least six semesters of teaching experience, which may include experience in a public school, private school, postsecondary institution, or industry setting; and 3) successfully completes a standards-based assessment program approved by DPI and an assessment approved by DPI of the individual's knowledge, skills, and disposition. The bill also requires DPI to approve a standards-based assessment and an assessment of knowledge, skills, and disposition, which are required under the pathway, by no later than approximately six months after the date on which the bill becomes law. Finally, the bill specifies that an individual who obtains a provisional teaching license under this pathway is eligible for a lifetime license if the individual successfully completes six semesters of teaching experience under the license.

Who's behind it

3 lawmakers are its authors⁠. All 3 are Republicans.

12 more lawmakers signed on in support⁠.