Bill > SF2368

This bill: - Removes provisions allowing the waiving of standards for approval of teacher preparation programs and one-year teaching licenses. - Establishes a student teacher grant program to allow school districts to compensate Iowa residents fulfilling student teaching requirements. - Appropriates funds to the Department of Education to ensure initial teacher salaries are no less than $40,000, which will also be the minimum teacher salary in Iowa. - Requires the Board of Educational Examiners to limit the credit hours required for endorsements to no more than 8 and allow individuals to complete endorsement requirements within 5 years. - Allows certain experienced or degreed practitioners to be employed without the required endorsement. - Permits school districts to reimburse teachers for up to 50% of the cost to obtain an endorsement. - Convenes a Task Force to study and make recommendations on teacher recruitment and retention. - Allows school districts to use flexibility account funds for reasonable teacher and staff appreciation activities.