Elementary teacher candidates would need a passing average across subject tests

The Department of Education would use an average score to judge elementary teacher candidates’ subject tests. This rule would cover candidates seeking an elementary teaching credential. The Commissioner of Education would set the minimum average score. Candidates would not need to meet a separate minimum score on each test section. The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.

The State Board of Education would authorize an elementary teaching credential with the stated teaching permissions. The credential would cover public schools. Full-time subjects would include language arts, math, science, social studies, and world languages. High school teaching would be limited to basic skills in reading, writing, arithmetic, and spelling. The state board would set requirements for the knowledge and skills teachers need. The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.

The State Board of Education would authorize special education and bilingual teaching credentials. Both credentials would cover all subjects in public schools from preschool through grade 12. The special education credential would exclude teaching students who are blind or have vision or hearing impairments. Bilingual candidates would need spoken and written skills in English and the target language, an approved bilingual education program, and any other state board requirements. The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.

The State Board of Education would authorize a general science teaching credential. The credential would cover biology, chemistry, earth science, physical science, and physics in grades nine through 12. The state board would set requirements for the knowledge and skills teachers need. Holders of the listed science credentials issued before the act takes effect could obtain the general credential by applying and meeting those requirements. The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.

The State Board of Education would waive subject preparation credits for certain middle school language teacher candidates. The exception would apply to middle school world language teaching credentials. Candidates would have to be native speakers of the language covered by the credential. They would also need completed college-level study outside the United States that was taught in their native language. The act would take effect on the first day of the fourth month following enactment.