Bill > S2028

Introduced Session

This bill requires the State Board of Education to authorize a route to teacher certification for candidates who possess a Montessori teaching credential. The provisions of the bill apply to candidates seeking a certificate of eligibility with preschool through grade three endorsement or an elementary school (kindergarten through grade six) endorsement. To be eligible for this route to teacher certification, a candidate is required to:? hold a Montessori teaching credential issued by the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori Internationale, or an institution accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education;? hold a bachelor's degree in any field from an accredited institution of higher education; and? meet the applicable test requirements for a certificate of eligibility. The Montessori certification supplants the 50 pre-service hours required through the alternative route, in addition to the educational requirements of the provisional teacher program. In order to obtain a provisional or standard instructional certificate, a candidate seeking a certificate of eligibility with a preschool through grade three endorsement or an elementary school (kindergarten through six) endorsement who meets the criteria established under this bill is not required to complete:? 50 hours of pre-professional experience or credits of preschool through grade three pedagogy;? 350 hours of credits of coursework after employment if the candidate is seeking an elementary school (kindergarten through grade six) endorsement; or? 24 credits after employment if the candidate is seeking a preschool through grade three endorsement. Under the bill, the State Board of Examiners will issue a certificate of eligibility to a candidate who meets the criteria established under the bill. A candidate eligible for a certificate of eligibility will not be required to complete a State-approved education preparation program, but will be required to complete a Montessori teacher preparation program that:? is affiliated with the American Montessori Society, the Association Montessori Internationale, or is accredited by the Montessori Accreditation Council for Teacher Education; and? requires a minimum of 200 academic hours and 400 practicum hours. The bill defines "certificate of eligibility" as a certificate with lifetime validity issued by the State Board of Examiners to candidates who meet the degree, academic, and applicable test requirements for teacher certification.

AI Summary

Committee Categories

Vin Gopal (D)*,  Shirley Turner (D)*,  Angela Mcknight (D), 

Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate Education Committee (on 01/09/2024)

Official Document