Amend House File 215 as follows:
   1.  Page 48, after line 20 by inserting: 

<DIVISION ___

SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR TEACHER PREPARATION
   Sec. ___.  Section 256.16, subsection 1, paragraph a, subparagraph (2), Code 2013, is amended to read as follows:
   (2)  Administer, prior to a student’s completion of the practitioner preparation program and subject to the director’s approval, subject assessments designed by a nationally recognized testing service that measure pedagogy and knowledge of at least one subject area; or, a valid and reliable subject-area-specific
 
discipline-specific, performance-based assessment for preservice teacher candidates, centered on student learning. A
 
The student shall not successfully complete the program unless the student achieves scores above the twenty-fifth percentile nationally on the assessments administered pursuant to this subparagraph
 
may select either the subject assessments or the performance-based assessment.
   Sec. ___.  Section 256.16, subsection 1, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new paragraph:
   NEW PARAGRAPH.  d.  Work with the board of educational examiners to develop valid and reliable pathways to licensure by subject area which a student enrolled in the program may elect to pursue.
   Sec. ___.  Section 256.16, Code 2013, is amended by adding the following new subsection:
   NEW SUBSECTION.  3.
  a.  A council on pathways to licensure is established, administratively attached to the board of educational examiners, to identify appropriate levels of proficiency in each licensure pathway developed pursuant to subsection 1, paragraph “d” and to periodically review the levels of proficiency in each licensure pathway. The council shall consist of the director of the department of education, or the director’s designee, and the remaining members shall be appointed by the executive director of the board of educational examiners as follows:
   (1)  Three members who shall represent accredited private institutions offering practitioner preparation programs approved pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 3.
   (2)  Three members who shall represent institutions of higher learning governed by the state board of regents offering practitioner preparation programs approved pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 3.
   b.  Members appointed pursuant to paragraph “a”, subparagraphs (1) and (2) shall serve staggered four-year terms. A vacancy shall be filled in the same manner as the original appointment and shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term of the vacancy. The council shall elect a chairperson and vice chairperson. The council shall meet regularly as determined by the council, upon the call of the chairperson, or upon the call of a majority of the members. Members shall be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performance of their duties. The board of educational examiners shall provide staff assistance and administrative support to the council.
   c.  The council shall assist the board of educational examiners and the state board in resolving issues which are directly related to pathways to licensure and practitioner preparation programs. The council shall formulate recommendations on any issue referred to it by the board of educational examiners or the state board and shall submit its recommendations to both boards within any specified time periods. The council shall submit an annual report with its findings and recommendations, including any recommendations for changes in law or policy, to the board of educational examiners, the state board, the governor, and the general assembly by January 15.
   Sec. ___.  COUNCIL ON PATHWAYS TO LICENSURE —— INITIAL RECOMMENDATIONS —— INITIAL MEMBERSHIP TERMS.
   1.  Notwithstanding section 256.16, subsection 3, paragraph “c”, the council on pathways to licensure shall submit an initial report, including its findings and recommendations for changes in law or policy, by November 15, 2013, to the state board of education, the board of educational examiners, the governor, and general assembly, and shall submit its first annual report to the state board of education, the board of educational examiners, the governor, and general assembly by January 15, 2015.
   2.  Initial appointments to the council on pathways to licensure made pursuant to section 256.16, subsection 3, paragraph “a”, subparagraphs (1) and (2) shall be for terms as follows: Two members shall be appointed for two-year terms, two members shall be appointed for three-year terms, and two members shall be appointed for four-year terms.>
   2.  By renumbering as necessary.

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WINCKLER of Scott