Modifying requirements related to teacher intern license programs and licenses and authorizations issued by the board of educational examiners and establishing a temporary initial teaching license to be issued by the board of educational examiners to applicants who complete an alternative teacher certification program

Description

House File 255 modifies requirements for practitioner preparation programs that assist students in attaining a teacher intern license from the Board of Educational Examiners (BOEE). The Bill makes the following changes:

• Requires the BOEE to issue a teacher intern license to specified applicants and requires the BOEE to allow a teacher intern licensee to apply for an initial teaching license.
• Requires the BOEE to adopt administrative rules that allow an individual seeking a career and technical secondary authorization to apply and, if eligible, be issued the secondary authorization before accepting an offer of employment.
• Requires the BOEE to grant a temporary initial teaching license to applicants who complete a defined alternative teacher certification program if the applicant meets defined criteria.
• Requires the applicant to have at least 60 contact hours in the classroom under a teacher license and be certified by the school’s principal of the applicant’s completion.

Background

Iowa Code section 256.7 establishes the responsibility of the State Board of Education to approve practitioner preparation programs physically operating in or outside of the State. These programs allow individuals with a bachelor’s degree to complete licensing requirements and serve as an intern (full-time) teacher once the program requirements are met, typically in the second year of the program. The State of Iowa currently has two approved practitioner preparation programs.

Morningside University offers a Master of Arts in Teaching, and the three State universities collaborate to sponsor the Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure (RAPIL). Admissions requirements for both programs include a bachelor’s degree in an endorsed area from a regionally accredited institution, a minimum 2.75 GPA, and three years of post-bachelor’s degree work experience.

After a student completes the first year of an Iowa teacher intern program with either existing program, that student receives a teacher intern license. The licensee is then eligible to apply for an initial teaching license after completing a one-year internship and all required coursework and testing. The initial teaching license is converted to a standard teaching license after two years of successful teaching in an Iowa public school, or three years in an accredited private or out-of-state setting.

House File 255 relates to eligibility for, but does not amend, the following existing education licensure pathways:

• Alternative Teacher Certification Program — All routes outside of the traditional Iowa teaching license typically allow the conversion of a bachelor’s degree into a teaching license with additional coursework and on-the-job training.
• Career and Technical Authorization — Allows working professionals in career and technical areas to teach under an initial license for three years with a combination of relevant experience and/or teaching endorsements.
• Teacher Intern License — Allows an individual with a bachelor’s degree who completes the first year of an Iowa teacher intern program, through either Morningside University or RAPIL, to teach under a school-based mentorship. After completing all program requirements, the licensee can apply for an Iowa initial teaching license.
• Temporary Initial Teaching License — Granted after completion of a full Iowa-approved teacher preparation program, but prior to completing the assessment. A full license can be applied for once the applicant completes the required completion assessments. Licensees can apply for the full initial teaching license once the assessments have been passed.
• Regional Exchange Teaching License — Grants a provisional license for the completion of a full State-approved teacher preparation program from a regionally accredited institution outside Iowa as the teacher works to correct coursework deficiencies identified by the BOEE review.
• Standard Teaching License – Issued after two years of successful teaching in an Iowa public school, or three years in an accredited private or out-of-state setting.

Assumptions

• RAPIL Program costs are based on the figures as of August 1, 2022.
• Revenue from teacher intern licenses, which vary based on licensure pathway; initial teaching licenses; and background checks are unknown.
• Establishing a new pathway to teacher licensure may decrease applications to the RAPIL Program.

Fiscal Impact

The fiscal impact of HF 255 is unknown and cannot be determined. However, participation in the Bill’s proposed temporary initial teaching licensure path may reduce demand for the RAPIL Program administered by the Board of Regents. The potential loss of revenue to the RAPIL Program would be approximately $14,000 per student, which includes:

• Tuition $11,000
• Technology Fees $1,000
• Course Fees $2,000

Sources

• Board of Educational Examiners
• Board of Regents
• Department of Education
• Morningside University
• Regents Alternative Pathway to Iowa Licensure