Alaska 32nd Legislature (2021-2022) Status: In Committee

SB 225 — An Act relating to a paraprofessional training program; creating a teacher resident certificate; creating a teacher residency program; relating to requirements to issue a teacher certificate; relating to subject-matter expert limited teacher certificates; relating to limited teacher certificates; creating a teacher registered apprenticeship program; and creating a teacher registered apprenticeship program fund.

Last action — (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

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  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. 2
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 32nd Legislature (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there is no live prognosis. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

216 added · 315 removed

Plain-language change summary

The recent changes to SB 225 involve the modification of the certificate being introduced from a "limited teacher resident certificate" to a "teacher resident certificate." Additionally, the program's collaboration is now aimed at working with high school districts rather than specifically with the University of Alaska. These changes are significant because they broaden the potential for certification and training opportunities for aspiring teachers, ultimately helping to address the teacher shortage by making pathways into teaching more accessible for high school students.

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32-LS1439\G CS FOR SENATE BILL NO.
32-LS1439\B SENATE BILL NO.
225(EDC) IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE Referred:
225 IN THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE - SECOND SESSION BY THE SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE Introduced:
Labor and Commerce, Finance Sponsor(s):
3/4/22 Referred:
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to a paraprofessional training program;
Education, Labor and Commerce, Finance A BILL FOR AN ACT ENTITLED "An Act relating to a paraprofessional training program;
creating a limited teacher resident certificate;
creating a teacher resident certificate;
and creating a teacher recruitment and retention fund." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
and creating a teacher registered apprenticeship program fund." BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF ALASKA:
(2) study the conditions and needs of the public schools of the state, adopt or recommend plans, administer and evaluate grants to improve school performance awarded under AS 14.03.125, and adopt regulations for the improvement SB0225B -1- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G of the public schools;
(2) study the conditions and needs of the public schools of the state, adopt or recommend plans, administer and evaluate grants to improve school performance awarded under AS 14.03.125, and adopt regulations for the improvement SB0225A -1- SB 225 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B of the public schools;
nothing in this CSSB 225(EDC) -2- SB0225B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G paragraph authorizes the department to require religious or other private schools to be licensed;
nothing in this SB 225 -2- SB0225A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B paragraph authorizes the department to require religious or other private schools to be licensed;
and (C) a process for districts to petition the department for SB0225B -3- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G continuing or discontinuing the department's intervention;
and (C) a process for districts to petition the department for SB0225A -3- SB 225 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B continuing or discontinuing the department's intervention;
(18) collaborate with the University of Alaska and districts to establish a paraprofessional training program for districts designed to prepare high school students for entry into the teacher registered apprenticeship program established in AS 14.20.700.
(18) collaborate with districts to establish a paraprofessional training program for districts designed to prepare high school students for entry into the teacher registered apprenticeship program established in AS 23.15.860.
Limited teacher resident certificate.
Teacher resident certificate.
(a) Notwithstanding AS 14.20.020, the department shall issue a limited teacher resident certificate to a person who meets the requirements of (b) of this section.
(a) Notwithstanding AS 14.20.020, the department shall issue a teacher resident certificate to a person who meets the requirements of (b) of this section.
(b) To be eligible for a limited teacher resident certificate, a person must (1) either (A) hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting association or approved by the commissioner and be currently enrolled in an approved (i) post-baccalaureate teacher education program at a nationally or regionally accredited institution meeting the requirements of AS 14.20.020(b) that provides for completion of the regular teacher certificate education requirements within three years after receipt of a limited teacher resident certificate under this section;
(b) To be eligible for a teacher resident certificate, a person must (1) either (A) hold a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting association or approved by the commissioner and be currently enrolled in an approved (i) post-baccalaureate teacher education program at a nationally or regionally accredited institution meeting the requirements of AS 14.20.020(b) that provides for completion of the regular teacher certificate education requirements within three years after receipt of a teacher resident certificate under this section;
(2) have submitted fingerprints and the fees required by the Department of Public Safety under AS 12.62.160 for criminal justice information and CSSB 225(EDC) -4- SB0225B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G a national criminal history record check to the department;
(2) have submitted fingerprints and the fees required by the Department of Public Safety under AS 12.62.160 for criminal justice information and a national criminal history record check to the department;
the department must have submitted the fingerprints and fees to the Department of Public Safety for a report of criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history record check under AS 12.62.400, and the person must have been found by the department to be suitable for employment as a teacher under AS 14.20.020(f);
the department must have SB 225 -4- SB0225A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B submitted the fingerprints and fees to the Department of Public Safety for a report of criminal justice information under AS 12.62 and a national criminal history record check under AS 12.62.400, and the person must have been found by the department to be suitable for employment as a teacher under AS 14.20.020(f);
(c) A limited teacher resident certificate is valid for one school year and only valid while a teacher resident is participating in the teacher residency program established under AS 14.20.014.
(c) A teacher resident certificate is valid for one school year and only valid while a teacher resident is participating in the teacher residency program established under AS 14.20.014.
A limited teacher resident certificate may be renewed for two additional school years upon a showing of substantial progress toward completion of a teacher education program required under (b)(1) of this section and continued participation in the teacher residency program under AS 14.20.014.
A teacher resident certificate may be renewed for two additional school years upon a showing of substantial progress toward completion of a teacher education program required under (b)(1) of this section and continued participation in the teacher residency program under AS 14.20.014.
(e) The board shall establish standards for the approval of nontraditional and alternative teacher education programs described in (b)(1)(A)(ii) of this section.
The standards must be comparable to the standards for approving institutions of higher education under AS 14.20.020(b).
the program must require that, during a teacher resident's first year of participation in the program, the teacher resident teach in conjunction with a program mentor who is an experienced tea;her SB0225B -5- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G (2) allow a school district or a regional educational attendance area to participate in the program if the school district or regional educational attendance area provides compensation to a teacher resident who is participating in the program and working for the school district or regional educational attendance area under the program;
(2) require the department to (A) provide each teacher resident participating in the program with a mentor who is an experienced teacher and who will teach in conjunction with the teacher resident;
and (3) require that a school district and a regional educational attendance area participating in the program ensure that a program mentor provided by the department under this section is trained in accordance with the standards established by the board under (e) of this section.
(B) provide training for program mentors;
(b) The department shall (1) provide each teacher resident participating in the program with a program mentor who is an experienced teacher and who will teach in conjunction with the teacher resident;
and (C) help place a teacher resident in a school district or regional educational attendance area where the teacher resident will work as a teacher while progressing toward completion of the teacher education program SB0225A -5- SB 225 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B required under AS 14.20.013(b)(1);
(2) help a school district or a regional educational attendance area meet the standards for the training of program mentors established by the board under (d) of this section;
and (3) allow a school district or a regional educational attendance area to participate in the program if the school district or regional educational attendance area provides compensation to a teacher resident who is participating in the program and working for the school district or regional educational attendance area under the program.
and (3) help place a teacher resident in a school district or regional educational attendance area where the teacher resident will work as a teacher while progressing toward completion of the teacher education program required under AS 14.20.013(b)(1).
(b) Before adopting regulations under (a) of this section, the department shall consult with school districts, regional educational attendance areas, the University of Alaska, and other stakeholders.
(c) Before adopting regulations under (a) of this section, the department shall consult with school districts, regional educational attendance areas, the University of Alaska, and other stakeholders.
(c) A person employed as a teacher resident under this section is considered a certificated employee for purposes of AS 14.25 (teachers' retirement system).
(d) A person employed as a teacher resident under this section is considered a certificated employee for purposes of AS 14.25 (teachers' retirement system).
(e) The board shall establish standards for the training of program mentors as described in this section.
(d) In this section, (1) "program" means the teacher residency program established under this section;
CSSB 225(EDC) -6- SB0225B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G (f) In this section, (1) "program" means the teacher residency program established under this section;
A school district or regional educational attendance area may establish coursework, training, and examination requirements that are more stringent than the coursework, training, and examinations required under this subsection.
A school district or regional educational attendance area may establish coursework, training, and examination requirements that are more stringent than the coursework, training, and examinations required under this SB 225 -6- SB0225A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B subsection.
AS 14.20.020(i) is amended to read:
(i) Beginning on July 1, 1998, a person is not eligible for an initial regular teacher certificate unless the person has taken and successfully completed a competency examination or examinations designated, at the time the person took the test, by the board, or the person has demonstrated competency through an alternative method under this subsection.
The board shall review nationally recognized examinations that are designed to test the competency of new teachers and shall designate those examinations that it finds adequately test the skills and abilities of new teachers.
For each examination designated under this subsection, the board shall establish the minimum acceptable level of performance.
The board may establish an alternative method to test the competency, skills, and abilities of new teachers who have taken but have not successfully completed the competency examination or examinations designated by the board under this subsection.
* Sec.
5.
SB0225B -7- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G (b) To be eligible for a subject-matter expert limited teacher certificate, a person shall (1) hold at least a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting association or approved by the commissioner and (A) have majored or minored in the subject that the person will be teaching;
(b) To be eligible for a subject-matter expert limited teacher certificate, a person shall (1) hold at least a baccalaureate degree from an institution of higher education accredited by a recognized regional or national accrediting association or approved by the commissioner and (A) have majored or minored in the subject that the person will be teaching;
* Sec.
SB0225A -7- SB 225 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B * Sec.
6.
5.
(d) A subject-matter expert limited teacher certificate is valid for one school CSSB 225(EDC) -8- SB0225B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G year and may be renewed for two [ONE] additional school years [YEAR] upon a showing of substantial progress toward [TOWARDS] completion of a [THE] teacher education program required under (b)(3) of this section.
(d) A subject-matter expert limited teacher certificate is valid for one school year and may be renewed for two [ONE] additional school years [YEAR] upon a showing of substantial progress toward [TOWARDS] completion of a [THE] teacher education program required under (b)(3) of this section.
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7.
6.
8.
7.
AS 14.20.022 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
(i) The board shall establish standards for the approval of nontraditional and alternative teacher education programs described in (b)(3)(B) of this section.
The standards must be comparable to the standards for approving institutions of higher education under AS 14.20.020(b).
* Sec.
9.
10.
8.
AS 14.20 is amended by adding new sections to read:
AS 23.15 is amended by adding new sections to read:
Article 8.
Article 7.
SB0225B -9- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G Sec.
Sec.
14.20.700.
23.15.860.
(b) The department shall (1) adopt regulations to establish, implement, and govern the program;
(b) The department shall SB 225 -8- SB0225A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B (1) adopt regulations to establish, implement, and govern the program.
at a minimum, the regulations must establish (A) a program for school districts designed to help paraprofessionals or persons who possess a valid limited teacher certificate issued under AS 14.20.025 continue to work as a paraprofessional or teacher under a limited teacher certificate issued under AS 14.20.025 while earning credit toward a bachelor's degree and teaching certification;
At a minimum, the regulations must establish (A) a program for school districts designed to help paraprofessionals continue to work as a paraprofessional while earning credit toward a bachelor's degree and teaching certification;
the program must (i) be a multi-year program designed for a person who has not yet obtained a bachelor's degree;
(ii) include tiered compensation and responsibilities that increase as the participant gains pedagogical expertise;
and (iii) be designed to allow participants who successfully complete the program to obtain a teacher certificate;
(2) establish a standard form a school district may use to apply to register the program as a registered apprenticeship program under 29 U.S.C.
(2) apply to register the program as a registered apprenticeship program under 29 U.S.C.
(3) consult with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development and the United States Department of Labor before establishing the standard form described in (2) of this subsection;
(3) consult with the Department of Education and Early Development and the University of Alaska before adopting regulations or applying to register the program as required under this subsection.
and (4) in conjunction with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development, help school districts (A) develop programs established under this section;
and (B) secure funding for the programs from sources other than the state.
(c) A school district may apply to register a program established under this CSSB 225(EDC) -10- SB0225B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G section as a registered apprenticeship program under 29 U.S.C.
50 - 50c (National Apprenticeship Act).
A school district may use the standard form established by the department under (b)(2) of this section to apply under this subsection.
(d) In this section, "program" means the teacher registered apprenticeship program.
14.20.710.
23.15.870.
Teacher recruitment and retention fund.
Teacher registered apprenticeship program fund.
(a) The teacher recruitment and retention fund is established in the general fund for the purpose of providing grants under (b) of this section.
(a) The teacher registered apprenticeship program fund is established in the general fund for the purpose of providing funding for the program.
(b) Money in the fund may be appropriated for the department to provide grants to nonprofit organizations that advance recruitment and retention efforts in the state and to provide grants to school districts for the school districts to design, develop, implement, or fund (1) teacher registered apprenticeship programs;
(b) The department shall administer the fund in accordance with the provisions of this chapter.
(2) teacher residency programs;
The department may spend money appropriated to the fund for the purposes under AS 23.15.860 - 23.15.880, and to pay the costs of administering the program without further appropriation.
(3) alternative pathway programs;
(c) The department shall apply for and use funds from the teacher registered apprenticeship program fund to obtain private and federal grants for the purposes under AS 23.15.860 and this section.
(4) student loan repayment;
(d) The department may make a grant to a school district from the fund for the school district's implementation and operation of a teacher registered apprenticeship program established under AS 23.15.860.
(5) housing stipends;
The department may require that a school district provide matching funds for the implementation and operation of the program for which the school district requests the grant.
(6) cost of living subsidies;
SB0225A -9- SB 225 New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\B Sec.
(7) recruitment bonuses;
23.15.880.
(8) longevity bonuses;
Definition.
(9) mentorship coaching;
In AS 23.15.860 - 23.15.880, "program" means the teacher registered apprenticeship program established under AS 23.15.860.
(10) teacher training;
(11) professional development for superintendents, principals, and other school administrators;
(12) continuing education;
and (13) other programs approved by the department that are likely to improve teacher recruitment and reduce teacher turnover.
(c) The department shall (1) apply for and use funds from the fund to obtain private and federal SB0225B -11- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G grants for the purposes under AS 14.20.700 and this section;
(2) help school districts complete grant applications for a grant under (b) of this section;
(3) award grants under (b) of this section based on a scoring matrix established by the department in regulation;
the scoring matrix must give the most weight to applications from school districts that (A) have the greatest need for a grant;
and (B) will use the grant money for purposes that most greatly benefit student performance through improved teacher recruitment and retention rates.
(d) The department may require that a school district provide matching funds for the implementation and operation of the program for which the school district requests the grant.
The matching funds may come from private sources, including a corporation organized under 43 U.S.C.
1601 et seq.
(Alaska Native Claims Settlement Act).
(e) The department shall, after each award cycle, provide to each school district a copy of each grant application that resulted in an award of a grant under (b) of this section for the purpose of spreading innovative ideas across the state.
(f) In this section, "fund" means the teacher recruitment and retention fund.
11.
9.
(80) the teacher recruitment and retention fund under AS 14.20.710.
(80) the teacher registered apprenticeship program fund under AS 23.15.860.
12.
10.
AS 14.16.050(a)(3)(C);
AS 14.20.022(c) is repealed.
AS 14.20.022(c), and 14.20.220 are repealed.
SB 225 -10- SB0225A New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
* Sec.
13.
The uncodified law of the State of Alaska is amended by adding a new section to read:
REPORT ON STUDY OF TEACHER HOUSING NEEDS.
The Department of Education and Early Development shall conduct a study that assesses the needs for teacher housing in rural areas of the state.
The study must include a projection of future teacher housing needs in rural areas of the state, a plan to meet those needs, and identification of the annual appropriations required to satisfy the identified needs.
The Department of Education and Early Development shall collaborate with the Department of Labor and Workforce Development to determine the projection of future teacher housing needs as part of the study.
CSSB 225(EDC) -12- SB0225B New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED] 32-LS1439\G The Department of Education and Early Development shall collaborate with the Alaska Housing Finance Corporation and school districts in the state to develop the plan to meet the needs for teacher housing identified in the study.
Not later than December 31, 2023, the Department of Education and Early Development shall submit a report on the study to the senate secretary and chief clerk of the house of representatives and notify the legislature that the report is available.
SB0225B -13- CSSB 225(EDC) New Text Underlined [DELETED TEXT BRACKETED]
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Action History

  1. (S) REFERRED TO FINANCE

  2. (S) FN3: (EED)

  3. (S) FN2: (EED)

  4. (S) FN1: (LWF)

  5. (S) DP: COSTELLO, GRAY-JACKSON, MICCICHE

  6. (S) L&C RPT CS 3DP NEW TITLE

  7. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  8. (S) Moved CSSB 225(L&C) Out of Committee

  9. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  10. (S) Minutes (SL&C)

  11. (S) Heard & Held

  12. (S) LABOR & COMMERCE at 01:30 PM BELTZ 105 (TSBldg)

  13. (S) FN3: (EED)

  14. (S) FN2: (EED)

  15. (S) FN1: (LWF)

  16. (S) DP: HOLLAND, HUGHES, STEVENS

  17. (S) EDC RPT CS 3DP NEW TITLE

  18. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  19. (S) Moved CSSB 225(EDC) Out of Committee

  20. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  21. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  22. (S) Heard & Held

  23. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  24. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  25. (S) Heard & Held

  26. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  27. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  28. (S) Heard & Held

  29. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  30. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  31. (S) Heard & Held

  32. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  33. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  34. (S) Heard & Held

  35. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  36. (S) Minutes (SEDC)

  37. (S) Heard & Held

  38. (S) EDUCATION at 09:00 AM BUTROVICH 205

  39. (S) EDC, L&C, FIN

  40. (S) READ THE FIRST TIME - REFERRALS

Sponsors

  • SENATE EDUCATION · Primary

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 0 co-sponsors · 64 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

  • SENATE EDUCATION

Co-sponsors (0)

None.

Not signed on (64)

64 members have not signed on to this bill.

Show all 64 →

"Not signed on" means a member has not sponsored or co-sponsored this bill — it does not imply opposition. Members flagged Voted No have a recorded No vote on this bill.

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Subjects

education
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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 225?
SB 225 is sponsored by SENATE EDUCATION.
What is the current status of SB 225?
This bill died with 32nd Legislature (2021-2022). It reached “In Committee” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 225?
Track SB 225 free on One Click Politics — get push/email alerts when it moves.

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