OLR Bill Analysis

sHB 6598 (as amended by House "A")*

AN ACT CONCERNING CONNECTICUT'S TEACHER SHORTAGE, PILOT EARLY CHILDHOOD LEARNING PROGRAMS, ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE INSTRUCTION AND IN-SERVICE TRAINING FOR TEACHERS AND TEACHER PREPARATION COURSES

SUMMARY:

This bill requires local and regional school boards of education to include information on second language acquisition in their in-service training programs for certified teachers, administrators, and pupil personnel in districts where English language learners are enrolled.

The bill also requires, as of July 1, 2005, that candidates in teacher preparation programs leading to professional certification complete, within the existing framework of instruction as of June 30, 2002, introductory coursework instruction on the characteristics of second language learners and second language acquisition.

*House Amendment "A" eliminates the bill's requirements for (1) the Higher Education Department to establish a scholarship program for paraprofessionals in priority districts seeking teacher certification in shortage areas; (2) the Education Department (SDE) to establish a bonus program for beginning certified teachers in shortage areas, and one for teachers agreeing to teach for three years in schools in need of improvement; (3) the education commissioner to set eligibility criteria for waiving fees for SDE teacher certification examinations; (4) the board of trustees of the state's higher education institutions to develop transfer and articulation agreements for teacher preparation programs; (5) candidates in teacher preparation certification programs to complete coursework in literacy based on scientific research; and (6) the education commissioner to establish an early childhood learning pilot program at Eastern Connecticut State University.

EFFECTIVE DATE: July 1, 2003

COMMITTEE ACTION

Higher Education and Workforce Development Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Education Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference

Appropriations Committee

Joint Favorable Substitute