Teacher programs would add special-population training and testing

Higher education institutions would provide training and clinical practice on serving students with disabilities and English learners. The requirements would apply to all students in approved teacher preparation programs, with added standards for students seeking special education or English learner endorsements. All students would complete at least 15 practicum hours on differentiated instruction and support for special populations. Students seeking an English learner endorsement would complete at least 40 practicum hours, including teaching methods for elementary and secondary students. The state board would set different standards for general preparation and special education or English learner endorsements. The training requirements would begin July 1, 2027.

The education department would provide a required end-of-program test for each teaching endorsement, and preparation programs would use results to identify remediation. Each student would take the assessment before completing a teacher preparation program, and institutions would report student scores to the department. The department would set the minimum passing score for each endorsement area. If a new endorsement area is created, the department would provide a test for it as soon as reasonably possible. The department would publish program-level passage rates, support efforts, and examples of remediation plans for students who score below the minimum. The assessments would begin July 1, 2027. The department's online publication requirement would begin August 1, 2028.

The board of educational examiners would require a self-paced special education course before awarding certain teaching licenses. The requirement would apply to people who apply to teach in a special education setting and seek a class B or conditional license. The course would be created by the education department. The course would cover basic special education laws, assessment procedures, and other essential skills. The board would adopt rules under the state's administrative rule process. The supplied text does not state when this licensing-course requirement would take effect.