Bill > S0888

This bill expands access to certain education records for Department of Education employees investigating educator misconduct, requires school districts to add extra points to their funding calculations for deaf students in auditory-oral education programs starting in the 2016-2017 school year, and modifies requirements for liability insurance for students participating in clinical field experiences, clarifying that school districts and postsecondary institutions cannot mandate students purchase this insurance as a condition of participation. Additionally, the bill revises the membership of the Education Practices Commission, which oversees educator conduct, and allows the Commissioner of Education to issue letters of guidance to educators in lieu of finding probable cause for certain complaints. It also establishes an educator liability insurance program administered by the Department of Education starting in the 2015-2016 school year to protect full-time instructional personnel, with options for part-time staff, administrators, and students to participate.