Summary
S. 1250 allows not-yet-fully prepared teachers to enter the classroom as teachers of record, requires that states receiving grants have authorization and approval processes for academies separate from those for current teacher and principal preparation programs, prohibits any requirements for the academic training of academy faculty, has no clinical standards, and has no requirement for teachers and principals to teach or serve in high-need schools for an extended period of time (generally four or more years) after completing preparation programs.
Status
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Our Position: Oppose
The Coalition for Teaching Quality has put forth a set of principles for ESEA reauthorization around preparing and supporting effective educators. Among these principles is a belief that all students are entitled to teachers who are qualified (fully prepared and fully certified), as well as effective; that preparation programs should be held to common, high standards; and that investments should be made in proven methods to recruit, prepare, develop, and retain fully prepared and effective teachers in shortage fields and hard-to-staff schools. S. 1250 undermines these principles.