Authorizing the establishment of a nontraditional educator preparation program by a private provider, the issuance of an interim license or endorsement to program participants by the board of educational examiners, and the employment of program participants as teachers in Iowa’s schools

Program applications must identify the content area and grade level for which the applicant seeks licensure or endorsement. The private provider must provide mentor teachers for at least two years for persons teaching under an interim license and for at least one year for persons teaching under an interim endorsement; evaluations by trained practitioners; assistance in preparing a performance assessment portfolio; and pedagogical strategies and coursework relating to student learning projects and literacy. An interim license is valid for three years and is nonrenewable. An interim endorsement is valid for one year and may be renewed not more than twice. The board of educational examiners may set additional requirements on an interim endorsement depending on the type of endorsement sought. A person participating in such a program must complete the pedagogy and subject area assessments required by the private provider. A person teaching under an interim license must also, within the first three years of teaching under an interim license, complete a one-year clinical experience and two years of mentoring. Both the board of educational examiners and the private provider may establish additional program completion requirements. A person who successfully completes the program and submits a letter of authorization from the school district or accredited nonpublic school of employment shall be qualified to receive a standard license or endorsement from the board of educational examiners. The total fee charged by the private provider to a person who completes the program and is issued the standard teaching license or the endorsement sought shall not exceed $1,900.