Bill > H0863

This bill revises Florida's laws concerning teacher preparation and accountability, aiming to improve the quality of educators by strengthening the approval process for teacher preparation programs, including those offered by private providers. Key provisions include updating the curriculum requirements for these programs to emphasize essential teaching practices like reading instruction and strategies for diverse learners, and requiring candidates to demonstrate their ability to positively impact student learning growth before completing their programs. The bill also introduces more rigorous criteria for the continued approval of teacher preparation programs, focusing on measurable outcomes such as graduate placement and retention rates, and student performance data. Additionally, it allows for the creation of educator preparation institutes by qualified private providers and establishes competency-based certification programs for individuals seeking to enter the teaching profession through alternative routes, while also refining professional development requirements for school districts and individual educators.