Text: HF00016 Text: HF00018 Text: HF00000 - HF00099 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 256.9, Code 1999, is amended by adding 1 2 the following new subsections: 1 3 NEW SUBSECTION. 49. Conduct an ongoing study, in 1 4 consultation with the board of educational examiners, to 1 5 enable the director to project future teacher and endorsement 1 6 shortage areas. 1 7 NEW SUBSECTION. 50. Develop, in consultation with the 1 8 area education agencies, a statewide assistance support 1 9 network to provide school districts with assistance in 1 10 identifying future teachers and encouraging and facilitating 1 11 their successful admission to a practitioner preparation 1 12 program. 1 13 Sec. 2. Section 256.11, Code 1999, is amended by adding 1 14 the following new subsection: 1 15 NEW SUBSECTION. 9. Unless a waiver has been obtained 1 16 under section 256.11A, each school or school district shall 1 17 have all of the following: 1 18 a. A media center in each attendance center accessible to 1 19 students throughout the school day. 1 20 b. A qualified school media services specialist who meets 1 21 the licensing standards prescribed by the board of educational 1 22 examiners and is responsible for media center supervision. 1 23 c. An articulated sequential elementary-secondary guidance 1 24 program for grades kindergarten through twelve and a guidance 1 25 counselor who meets the licensing standards prescribed by the 1 26 board of educational examiners. In determining the 1 27 requirements of this subsection for nonpublic schools, the 1 28 department shall evaluate the schools on a school system basis 1 29 rather than on an individual school basis. 1 30 Sec. 3. Section 256.11A, subsections 1 and 2, Code 1999, 1 31 are amended to read as follows: 1 32 1. Schools and school districtsunable to meet the1 33standard adopted by the state board requiring each school or1 34school district operating a kindergarten through grade twelve1 35program to provide an articulated sequential elementary-2 1secondary guidance programmay, not later than August 1,19952 2 1999, for the school year beginning July 1,19951999, file a 2 3 written request to the department of education that the 2 4 department waive the requirement,forestablished in section 2 5 256.11, subsection 9, paragraph "c", that a school or school 2 6 district operating a kindergarten through grade twelve 2 7 program, provide an articulated sequential elementary- 2 8 secondary guidance program. The procedures specified in 2 9 subsection 3 apply to the request. Not later than August 1, 2 1019962000, for the school year beginning July 1,19962000, 2 11 the board of directors of a school district or the authorities 2 12 in charge of a nonpublic school may request a one-year 2 13 extension of the waiver. 2 14 2. Not later than August 1,19951999, for the school year 2 15 beginning July 1,19951999, the board of directors of a 2 16 school district, or authorities in charge of a nonpublic 2 17 school, may file a written request with the department of 2 18 education that the department waivethe rule adopted by the2 19state board to establish and operatethe requirements 2 20 established under section 256.11, subsection 9, paragraphs "a" 2 21 and "b", for a media servicesprogram to support the total2 22curriculum for that district or schoolcenter and a media 2 23 services specialist. The procedures specified in subsection 3 2 24 apply to the request. Not later than August 1,19962000, for 2 25 the school year beginning July 1,19962000, the board of 2 26 directors of a school district or the authorities in charge of 2 27 a nonpublic school may request an additional one-year 2 28 extension of the waiver. 2 29 Sec. 4. Section 256.16, Code 1999, is amended to read as 2 30 follows: 2 31 256.16 SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR TEACHER PREPARATION AND 2 32 CERTAIN EDUCATORS. 2 33 1. Pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 5, the state 2 34 board shall adopt rules requiring all higher education 2 35 institutions providing practitioner preparation toincludedo 3 1 the following: 3 2 a. Administer a basic skills test to practitioner 3 3 preparation program admission candidates. Rules adopted shall 3 4 require institutions to deny admission to the program to any 3 5 candidate who does not successfully pass the test. 3 6 b. Include in the professional education program, 3 7 preparation that contributes to education of students with 3 8 disabilities and students who are gifted and talented, which 3 9 must be successfully completed before graduation from the 3 10 practitioner preparation program. 3 11 2. A person initially applying for a license shall 3 12 successfully complete a professional education program 3 13 containing the subject matter specified in this section, 3 14 before the initial action by the board of educational 3 15 examiners takes place. 3 16 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 256.17 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT AND 3 17 PLANNING TIME PILOT PROJECT. 3 18 The general assembly finds that classroom management has 3 19 increased in difficulty and complexity. Where once 3 20 heterogeneous groups of children populated Iowa's classrooms, 3 21 today's students are from diverse racial, ethnic, and social 3 22 backgrounds. Behavioral disorders and special education needs 3 23 have multiplied. Teachers must be prepared to manage 3 24 classrooms well, to communicate with and engage parents in 3 25 their child's education, to assess students' developmental 3 26 needs, and to organize and work in teams. To meet these 3 27 needs, a pilot project for professional development and 3 28 planning time is established under the control of the 3 29 department of education, subject to an appropriation of 3 30 sufficient funds by the general assembly. 3 31 The board of directors of a school district may request 3 32 approval from the state board of education to establish a 3 33 pilot project that extends the school year by twenty days to 3 34 provide professional educators and administrators employed by 3 35 the district more opportunities and time for professional 4 1 development and planning. 4 2 The request shall describe the anticipated additional costs 4 3 to the school district and the benefits to be gained from 4 4 extending the school calendar to a two-hundred-day minimum. 4 5 Students in a pilot project school district shall not be 4 6 required to attend school more than one hundred eighty days or 4 7 the equivalent each school year. 4 8 Participation in a pilot project shall not modify 4 9 provisions of a master contract negotiated between a school 4 10 district and a certified bargaining unit pursuant to chapter 4 11 20 unless mutually agreed to by the parties. 4 12 If moneys are appropriated by the general assembly for 4 13 funding the costs of pilot projects under this section, the 4 14 state board of education shall notify the department of 4 15 revenue and finance of the amounts to be paid to each school 4 16 district with an approved pilot project. 4 17 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 256E.1 DEFINITIONS. 4 18 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 4 19 requires: 4 20 1. "Beginning teacher" means an individual serving under 4 21 an initial provisional or conditional license, issued by the 4 22 board of educational examiners under chapter 272, who is 4 23 assuming a position as a classroom teacher. 4 24 2. "Board of directors" means the board of directors of a 4 25 school district or a collaboration of boards of directors of 4 26 school districts. 4 27 3. "Classroom teacher" means an individual who holds a 4 28 valid practitioner's license and who is employed by a school 4 29 district under sections 279.13 through 279.19 in a school 4 30 district or area education agency in this state to provide 4 31 instruction to students. 4 32 4. "Department" means the department of education. 4 33 5. "Director" means the director of the department of 4 34 education. 4 35 6. "District facilitator" means a practitioner pursuant to 5 1 chapter 272 who is appointed by a board of directors to serve 5 2 as the liaison between the board of directors and the 5 3 department for the beginning teacher induction program. 5 4 7. "Mentor" means an individual employed by a school 5 5 district or area education agency as a classroom teacher who 5 6 holds a valid license to teach issued under chapter 272. 5 7 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 256E.2 BEGINNING TEACHER INDUCTION 5 8 PROGRAM ESTABLISHED – GOALS – GRANTS. 5 9 If the general assembly appropriates moneys for purposes of 5 10 teacher induction, the department of education shall 5 11 coordinate a beginning teacher induction program to promote 5 12 excellence in teaching, to build a supportive environment 5 13 within school districts, to increase the retention of 5 14 promising beginning teachers, and to promote the personal and 5 15 professional well-being of teachers. The department of 5 16 education shall develop a process for awarding beginning 5 17 teacher induction grants to school districts, and shall adopt 5 18 rules pursuant to chapter 17A relating to the equitable 5 19 distribution of grants to school districts to reflect 5 20 diversity geographically and by population. 5 21 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 256E.3 DISTRICT FACILITATOR, 5 22 COMMITTEE, AND PLAN. 5 23 1. A board of directors participating in the beginning 5 24 teacher induction program shall appoint a district 5 25 facilitator, whose duties shall include, but are not limited 5 26 to, overseeing the development of a plan for meeting the goals 5 27 of the program as set forth in section 256E.1, and composing a 5 28 district committee pursuant to subsection 2. The board of 5 29 directors may contract with a public or private postsecondary 5 30 institution with an approved practitioner preparation program, 5 31 or with a member of the instructional staff of an approved 5 32 practitioner preparation program, to perform the duties of the 5 33 district facilitator in accordance with this chapter. 5 34 2. The membership of the district committee composed by 5 35 the district facilitator shall include, but is not limited to, 6 1 licensed practitioners and an area education agency staff 6 2 development professional. 6 3 3. The district committee shall adopt a plan and written 6 4 procedures for a mentor program consistent with this chapter. 6 5 The plan and the written procedures shall, at a minimum, 6 6 provide the process for the selection of and the number of 6 7 mentors; the mentor training process; the timetable by which 6 8 the plan shall be implemented; placement of mentors and 6 9 beginning teachers; the minimum amount of contact time between 6 10 mentors and beginning teachers; the minimum amount of release 6 11 time for mentors and beginning teachers for meetings for 6 12 planning, demonstration, observation, feedback, and workshops; 6 13 the process for dissolving mentoring partnerships; and the 6 14 process for measuring the results of the program. The 6 15 district committee shall recommend to the board of directors 6 16 the names of classroom teachers eligible to be mentors. 6 17 4. The district facilitator shall submit the plan, and the 6 18 proposed costs of implementing the plan, to the board of 6 19 directors, which shall consider the plan and, once approved, 6 20 submit the plan and a reasonable cost proposal to the 6 21 department of education, which shall award grants as equitably 6 22 as possible based on the geographic and population diversity 6 23 of the school districts submitting plans. Grants may be 6 24 awarded in subsequent years based upon the most recent plan on 6 25 file with the department. 6 26 5. The district committee is encouraged to work with area 6 27 education agencies and postsecondary institutions in the 6 28 preparation and implementation of a plan. 6 29 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION. 256E.4 BEGINNING TEACHER AND MENTOR 6 30 SELECTION AND PLACEMENT. 6 31 1. To be eligible to be a mentor, a licensed practitioner 6 32 shall, at a minimum, be employed by a school district as a 6 33 classroom teacher, have a record of at least four years of 6 34 effective practice, have been employed for one full year in 6 35 the district on a nonprobationary basis, and demonstrate 7 1 professional commitment to the improvement of teaching and 7 2 learning, and the development of beginning teachers. 7 3 2. The district facilitator shall place beginning teachers 7 4 in a manner that provides the greatest opportunity to 7 5 participate with the largest number of mentors. 7 6 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION. 256E.5 BEGINNING TEACHER INDUCTION 7 7 STATE SUBSIDY – FUND. 7 8 1. A mentor in an approved beginning teacher induction 7 9 program under this chapter shall be eligible for an award of 7 10 five hundred dollars per semester of participation in the 7 11 program, which shall be paid from moneys received pursuant to 7 12 this chapter by the school district employing the mentor. 7 13 2. Moneys received by a school district pursuant to this 7 14 chapter shall be expended to provide mentors with awards in 7 15 accordance with subsection 1, to implement the plan, to 7 16 provide for a stipend for the district facilitator, and to pay 7 17 the costs of the employer's share of contributions to federal 7 18 social security and the Iowa public employees' retirement 7 19 system or a pension and annuity retirement system established 7 20 under chapter 294, for such amounts paid by the district. 7 21 3. Moneys received by a school district under this chapter 7 22 are miscellaneous income for purposes of chapter 257 or are 7 23 considered encumbered. A school district shall maintain a 7 24 separate listing within its budget for payments received and 7 25 expenditures made pursuant to this chapter. Moneys received 7 26 for purposes of this chapter shall not be used for payment of 7 27 any collective bargaining agreement or arbitrator's decision 7 28 negotiated or awarded under chapter 20. 7 29 4. A beginning teacher induction fund is established in 7 30 the office of the treasurer of state to be administered by the 7 31 department. Moneys appropriated by the general assembly for 7 32 deposit in the fund shall be used to provide funding to school 7 33 districts pursuant to the requirements of this section. 7 34 5. Notwithstanding section 8.33, unencumbered or 7 35 unobligated funds remaining on June 30 of the fiscal year for 8 1 which the funds were appropriated shall not revert but shall 8 2 be available for expenditure in the following fiscal year for 8 3 the purposes of this section. 8 4 Sec. 11. NEW SECTION. 256E.6 REPORTS. 8 5 The board of directors implementing an approved beginning 8 6 teacher induction program as provided in this chapter shall 8 7 submit an assessment of the program's results by July 1 of the 8 8 fiscal year succeeding the year in which the school district 8 9 received moneys under this chapter. The department shall 8 10 annually report the statewide results of the program to the 8 11 chairpersons and the ranking members of the senate and house 8 12 education committees by January 1. 8 13 Sec. 12. NEW SECTION. 261.114 EDUCATOR ENDORSEMENT 8 14 SHORTAGE AREA FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM. 8 15 1. Subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the 8 16 general assembly, an educator endorsement shortage area 8 17 forgivable loan program is established to be administered by 8 18 the college student aid commission. An individual is eligible 8 19 for the forgivable loan program if the individual is a 8 20 resident of this state who is enrolled as a sophomore, junior, 8 21 or senior, in an approved practitioner preparation program in 8 22 a designated endorsement area in which teacher shortages are 8 23 anticipated, at an institution of higher learning under the 8 24 control of the state board of regents or an accredited private 8 25 institution as defined in section 261.9. 8 26 2. The director of the department of education shall 8 27 annually designate the endorsement areas in which teacher 8 28 shortages are anticipated. 8 29 3. Each applicant shall, in accordance with the rules of 8 30 the commission, do the following: 8 31 a. Complete and file an application for an educator 8 32 endorsement shortage area forgivable loan. The individual 8 33 shall be responsible for the submission of the parents' 8 34 confidential statement for processing to both the commission 8 35 and the institution in which the applicant is enrolling. 9 1 b. Report promptly to the commission any information 9 2 requested. 9 3 c. File a new application and parents' confidential 9 4 statement annually on the basis of which the applicant's 9 5 eligibility for the renewed forgivable loan will be evaluated 9 6 and determined. 9 7 4. Forgivable loans to eligible students shall not become 9 8 due until after the student graduates or leaves school. The 9 9 individual's total loan amount, including principal and 9 10 interest, shall be reduced by twenty percent for each year in 9 11 which the individual remains an Iowa resident and is employed 9 12 by a school district or an accredited nonpublic school as a 9 13 teacher in the area for which the loan was approved. If the 9 14 commission determines that the person does not meet the 9 15 criteria for forgiveness of the principal and interest 9 16 payments, the commission shall establish a plan for repayment 9 17 of the principal and interest over a ten-year period. If a 9 18 person required to make the repayment does not make the 9 19 required payments, the commission shall provide for payment 9 20 collection. 9 21 5. The amount of an educator endorsement shortage area 9 22 forgivable loan shall not exceed three thousand dollars 9 23 annually, or the amount of the student's established financial 9 24 need, whichever is less. 9 25 6. The interest rate for the forgivable loan shall be 9 26 equal to the interest rate collected by an eligible lender 9 27 under the Iowa guaranteed student loan program for the year in 9 28 which the forgivable loan is made. 9 29 7. An educator endorsement shortage area forgivable loan 9 30 repayment fund is created for deposit of payments made by 9 31 forgivable loan recipients who do not fulfill the conditions 9 32 of the forgivable loan program. Notwithstanding section 8.33, 9 33 moneys deposited in the fund shall not revert to the general 9 34 fund of the state at the end of any fiscal year but shall 9 35 remain in the forgivable loan repayment fund and be 10 1 continuously available to make additional loans under the 10 2 program. 10 3 Sec. 13. Section 272.2, Code 1999, is amended by adding 10 4 the following new subsections: 10 5 NEW SUBSECTION. 16. Develop or identify assessments 10 6 appropriate to content areas of specialization, which the 10 7 board shall administer to candidates prior to initial Iowa 10 8 licensure. The board shall issue a license only to a 10 9 candidate who successfully passes an assessment appropriate to 10 10 the candidate's content area of specialization. 10 11 NEW SUBSECTION. 17. Adopt rules requiring candidates for 10 12 initial Iowa licensure as secondary school teachers to 10 13 successfully complete content-area reading coursework. 10 14 NEW SUBSECTION. 18. Adopt rules for the alternative 10 15 licensure of content area specialists in subject or service 10 16 shortage areas. 10 17 Sec. 14. Section 272.3, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 1999, 10 18 is amended to read as follows: 10 19 The board of educational examiners consists ofeleven10 20 thirteen members.TwoFour must be members of the general 10 21 public and the remaining nine must be licensed practitioners. 10 22One of the publicPublic members shallalso beinclude the 10 23 director of the department of education, or the director's 10 24 designee.,The other public member shall bea person who does 10 25 not hold a practitioner's license, but has a demonstrated 10 26 interest in education, a person from a list of nominees 10 27 submitted to the governor by the state board of regents, and a 10 28 person from a list of nominees submitted to the governor by 10 29 the Iowa association of independent colleges and universities. 10 30 The nine practitioners shall be selected from the following 10 31 areas and specialties of the teaching profession: 10 32 Sec. 15. Section 272.3, unnumbered paragraph 2, Code 1999, 10 33 is amended to read as follows: 10 34 A majority of the licensed practitioner members shall be 10 35 nonadministrative practitioners. Four of the members shall be 11 1 administrators. Membership of the board shall comply with the 11 2 requirements of sections 69.16 and 69.16A. A quorum of the 11 3 board shall consist ofsixseven members. The director of the 11 4 department of education shall serve as the chairperson of the 11 5 board. Members, except for the director of the department of 11 6 education, shall be appointed by the governor and the 11 7 appointments are subject to confirmation by the senate. 11 8 Sec. 16. Section 272.4, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 1999, 11 9 is amended to read as follows: 11 10 Members, except for the director of the department of 11 11 education, shall be appointed to serve staggered terms of four 11 12 years. A member shall not serve more than two consecutive 11 13 terms, except for the director of the department of education, 11 14 who shall serve until the director's term of office expires. 11 15 A member of the board, except for thetwofour public members, 11 16 shall hold a valid practitioner's license during the member's 11 17 term of office. A vacancy exists when any of the following 11 18 occur: 11 19 Sec. 17. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDY. The director of 11 20 the department of education shall appoint a task force to 11 21 study the issues and feasibility of establishing a volunteer 11 22 program to encourage retired teachers and administrators to 11 23 return to education as mentors and aides in school districts. 11 24 The chairperson of the task force shall be the director of the 11 25 department of education, or the director's designee. The task 11 26 force shall report its findings and recommendations to the 11 27 chairpersons and the ranking members of the senate and house 11 28 standing committees on education by January 15, 2000. 11 29 Sec. 18. BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS REPORT. The board 11 30 of educational examiners shall analyze the content area of 11 31 specialization assessment results administered prior to 11 32 initial Iowa licensure and shall develop and recommend 11 33 policies relating to initial Iowa licensure candidates who do 11 34 not successfully pass the assessment. The board shall submit 11 35 its analysis and recommendations in a report to the senate and 12 1 house standing committees on education by January 15, 2001. 12 2 Sec. 19. FINDINGS. The general assembly finds that the 12 3 state suffers severe teacher shortages in certain fields, and 12 4 is concerned that within five years, the nation will face an 12 5 overall shortage of teachers. The general assembly therefore 12 6 encourages school districts to ensure their future ability to 12 7 hire qualified professional practitioners by establishing 12 8 future teacher associations and by supporting teachers and 12 9 students who participate in these associations. 12 10 Sec. 20. STUDY REQUEST. The general assembly hereby 12 11 requests the Iowa association of colleges of teacher education 12 12 to study and report its findings to the standing senate 12 13 committee on education and house committee on education by 12 14 January 15, 2000, on the following: field experiences, 12 15 including the current number of hours required by each of the 12 16 approved programs within the state, whether the institutions 12 17 expect to increase or decrease the required hours, and the 12 18 characteristics of the experiences provided; the method of 12 19 collaboration between approved practitioner preparation 12 20 programs and local school districts, and between approved 12 21 practitioner preparation programs and other content area- 12 22 related colleges within their institutions; and faculty 12 23 interaction, including the current number of contact hours 12 24 with school districts and beginning teachers each of the 12 25 approved programs within the state requires of its faculty 12 26 members, whether the institutions expect to increase or 12 27 decrease the required hours, and the characteristics of the 12 28 professional contact. 12 29 EXPLANATION 12 30 This bill is based upon the recommendations of the teacher 12 31 preparation study committee, which met during the 1998 12 32 Interim. 12 33 The bill includes the following: 12 34 Code section 256.9, subsections 49 and 50: Increases the 12 35 duties of the director of education by requiring the director 13 1 to conduct an ongoing study, in consultation with the board of 13 2 educational examiners, to enable the director to project 13 3 future teacher and endorsement shortage areas; and to develop, 13 4 in consultation with the area education agencies, a statewide 13 5 assistance support network to provide school districts with 13 6 assistance in identifying, encouraging, and facilitating 13 7 future teachers. 13 8 Code sections 256.11, subsection 9, and 256.11A: 13 9 Reestablishes a statutory requirement that each school or 13 10 school district has, unless a waiver has been obtained, a 13 11 media center in each attendance center accessible to students 13 12 throughout the school day, a qualified school media services 13 13 specialist responsible for media center supervision, and an 13 14 articulated sequential elementary-secondary guidance program 13 15 for grades kindergarten through 12. The bill also extends the 13 16 time in which schools may apply for waivers to August 1, 2000. 13 17 Code section 256.16: Requires the state board of education 13 18 to adopt rules requiring all higher education institutions 13 19 providing practitioner preparation to administer a basic 13 20 skills test to practitioner preparation program admission 13 21 candidates. The bill also requires that institutions deny 13 22 admission to the program to any candidate who does not 13 23 successfully pass the test. 13 24 Code section 256.17: Establishes a professional 13 25 development and planning time pilot project under the control 13 26 of the department of education, subject to an appropriation of 13 27 sufficient funds by the general assembly. 13 28 Under this provision, the board of directors of a school 13 29 district may request approval from the state board of 13 30 education for a pilot project that extends the school year by 13 31 20 days to provide professional educators and administrators 13 32 employed by the district more opportunities and time for 13 33 professional development and planning. The application must 13 34 describe the anticipated additional costs to the school 13 35 district and the benefits to be gained from extending the 14 1 school calendar to a 200-day minimum. Students would not be 14 2 required to attend school more than 180 days or the equivalent 14 3 each school year. Participation does not modify provisions of 14 4 a master contract negotiated between a school district and a 14 5 certified bargaining unit unless mutually agreed to by the 14 6 parties. 14 7 Code chapter 256E: Directs the department of education, if 14 8 the general assembly appropriates sufficient funds, to 14 9 establish a beginning teacher induction program to promote 14 10 excellence in teaching, build a supportive environment in 14 11 school districts, increase the retention of promising 14 12 beginning teachers, and promote the personal and professional 14 13 well-being of teachers. 14 14 The bill directs the department of education to develop a 14 15 process to be used in awarding beginning teacher grants. 14 16 A teacher serving as a mentor under the program is eligible 14 17 for an award of $500 per semester of participation. Moneys 14 18 received by a district shall be expended to implement the 14 19 plan, for awards to mentors, and for the costs of the 14 20 employer's share of contributions to federal social security 14 21 and the Iowa public employees' retirement system or a pension 14 22 and annuity retirement system established under chapter 294, 14 23 for such amounts paid by the districts. 14 24 The bill establishes a beginning teacher induction fund in 14 25 the office of the treasurer of state to be administered by the 14 26 department of education. 14 27 A school district shall appoint a district facilitator 14 28 whose duties include overseeing the development of a plan for 14 29 meeting program goals and composing a district committee. The 14 30 district committee membership shall include, but is not 14 31 limited to, the district facilitator, licensed teachers, and 14 32 an area education agency staff development professional. The 14 33 district committee must adopt a plan and written procedures 14 34 for a mentor program which shall, at a minimum, address the 14 35 mentor selection and training processes, the timetable for 15 1 plan implementation, placement, minimum contact and release 15 2 time, measurement of results, workshops, and dissolving 15 3 mentoring partnerships. District committees are encouraged to 15 4 collaborate with area education agencies and postsecondary 15 5 institutions in the preparation and implementation of plans. 15 6 The district committee shall recommend to the board of 15 7 directors the names of classroom teachers eligible to be 15 8 mentors. 15 9 The board of directors shall submit the plan and a cost 15 10 proposal to the department, which shall award grants to school 15 11 districts, selecting from the school districts submitting 15 12 plans based solely upon equitability and geographic and 15 13 population diversity. 15 14 The bill also requires that a licensed teacher, to be 15 15 eligible to be a mentor, be employed by a school district as a 15 16 classroom teacher, have a record of at least four years of 15 17 effective practice, have been employed for one full year in 15 18 the district on a nonprobationary basis, and demonstrate 15 19 professional commitment to the improvement of teaching and 15 20 learning, and the development of beginning teachers. 15 21 Code section 261.114: Establishes, subject to an 15 22 appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, an 15 23 educator endorsement shortage area forgivable loan program to 15 24 be administered by the college student aid commission. The 15 25 program will be available to Iowa residents who are enrolled 15 26 as sophomores, juniors, or seniors, in approved practitioner 15 27 preparation programs in a designated endorsement area in which 15 28 teacher shortages are anticipated, at a regents university or 15 29 an accredited private institution. 15 30 The bill requires the director of the department of 15 31 education to annually designate the endorsement areas in which 15 32 teacher shortages are anticipated. 15 33 Forgivable loans to eligible students shall not become due 15 34 until after the student graduates or leaves school. The 15 35 individual's total loan amount, including principal and 16 1 interest, shall be reduced by 20 percent for each year in 16 2 which the individual remains an Iowa resident and is employed 16 3 by a school district or an accredited nonpublic school as a 16 4 teacher in the endorsement area for which the loan was 16 5 approved. If the commission determines that the person does 16 6 not meet the criteria for forgiveness of the principal and 16 7 interest payments, the commission shall establish a plan for 16 8 repayment of the principal and interest over a 10-year period. 16 9 If a person required to make the repayment does not make the 16 10 required payments, the commission shall provide for payment 16 11 collection. 16 12 The amount of an educator endorsement shortage area 16 13 forgivable loan shall not exceed $3,000 annually, or the 16 14 amount of the student's established financial need, whichever 16 15 is less. The interest rate for the forgivable loan shall be 16 16 equal to the interest rate collected by an eligible lender 16 17 under the Iowa guaranteed student loan program for the year in 16 18 which the forgivable loan is made. 16 19 An educator endorsement shortage area forgivable loan 16 20 repayment fund is created for deposit of payments made by 16 21 forgivable loan recipients who do not fulfill the conditions 16 22 of the forgivable loan program. Moneys deposited in the 16 23 forgivable loan repayment fund shall not revert to the general 16 24 fund of the state at the end of any fiscal year. 16 25 Code section 272.2: Directs the board of educational 16 26 examiners to develop or identify assessments appropriate to 16 27 content areas of specialization, which the board shall 16 28 administer to candidates prior to initial Iowa licensure. 16 29 Under the bill, the board can issue a license only to 16 30 candidates who successfully pass an assessment appropriate to 16 31 their content area of specialization; adopt rules requiring 16 32 candidates for initial Iowa licensure as secondary school 16 33 teachers to successfully complete content-area reading 16 34 coursework; and adopt rules for the alternative licensure of 16 35 content area specialists in subject or service shortage areas. 17 1 Code sections 272.3, unnumbered paragraphs 1 and 2, and 17 2 272.4, unnumbered paragraph 1: Increases from 11 to 13 the 17 3 membership of the board of educational examiners. One new 17 4 member will be a person from a list of nominees submitted to 17 5 the governor by the state board of regents, and the other will 17 6 be a person from a list of nominees submitted to the governor 17 7 by the Iowa association of independent colleges and 17 8 universities. 17 9 The bill also includes session law requiring or requesting, 17 10 as appropriate, the following: 17 11 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TASK FORCE. The director of the 17 12 department of education to appoint a task force to study the 17 13 issues and feasibility of establishing a volunteer program to 17 14 encourage retired teachers and administrators to return to 17 15 education as mentors and aides in school districts. The task 17 16 force shall report its findings and recommendations to the 17 17 chairpersons and the ranking members of the senate and house 17 18 standing committees on education by January 15, 2000. 17 19 BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS REPORT. The board of 17 20 educational examiners to analyze the content area of 17 21 specialization assessment results administered prior to 17 22 initial Iowa licensure and to develop and recommend policies 17 23 relating to initial Iowa licensure candidates who do not 17 24 successfully pass the assessment. The board shall submit its 17 25 analysis and recommendations in a report to the senate and 17 26 house standing committees on education by January 15, 2001. 17 27 FINDINGS. Finally, the bill includes the findings of the 17 28 general assembly and its concerns relating to current severe 17 29 teacher shortages in certain fields and a future overall 17 30 shortage of teachers. The general assembly therefore 17 31 encourages school districts to ensure their future ability to 17 32 hire qualified professional practitioners by establishing 17 33 future teacher associations and by supporting teachers and 17 34 students who participate in these associations. 17 35 STUDY REQUEST. The Iowa association of colleges of teacher 18 1 education is requested to study and report its findings to the 18 2 standing senate committee on education and house committee on 18 3 education by January 15, 2000, on the following: field 18 4 experiences; the method of collaboration between approved 18 5 practitioner preparation programs and local school districts, 18 6 and between approved practitioner preparation programs and 18 7 other content area-related colleges within their institutions; 18 8 and faculty interaction. 18 9 LSB 1348YH 78 18 10 kh/cf/24
Text: HF00016 Text: HF00018 Text: HF00000 - HF00099 Text: HF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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