SB 1394 - Current law requires candidates for a teaching license to satisfy certain criteria, including obtaining the recommendation of a state-approved, baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program. Under this act, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education shall develop a fifteen credit hour, online teacher preparation program that may be completed by individuals who already possess a bachelor's degree instead of completing a state-approved, baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program. The Department may contract with an entity skilled in developing online teacher preparation programs or a charitable organization registered in Missouri to develop and maintain the online teacher preparation program. Such entity or charitable organization shall be certified to develop and maintain the program by the Department or the State Auditor. The act also provides that an individual with a bachelor's degree who enrolls in a state-approved, baccalaureate-level teacher preparation program shall be required to complete no more than fifteen credit hours in the program in order to receive the recommendation of the program.
This act is similar to provisions in SS#2/SCS/SB 727 (2024) and in SS/HB 2287 (2024).
OLIVIA SHANNON