FIRST REGULAR SESSION

HOUSE BILL NO. 481

94TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

INTRODUCED BY REPRESENTATIVE SUTHERLAND.

                  Read 1st time January 18, 2007 and copies ordered printed.

D. ADAM CRUMBLISS, Chief Clerk

1490L.01I

AN ACT

To repeal section 168.015, RSMo, and to enact in lieu thereof one new section relating to the commissioner's advisory council.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Section A. Section 168.015, RSMo, is repealed and one new section enacted in lieu thereof, to be known as section 168.015, to read as follows:

            168.015. 1. There is hereby established within the department of elementary and secondary education[,] the ["Missouri Advisory Council of Certification for Educators"] "Commissioner's Advisory Council on Teacher Quality", hereinafter known as the "advisory council", which shall be composed of [twenty-five] twenty-seven members to be appointed by the state board of education on the recommendation of the commissioner of education, who shall serve as chair of the advisory council. Of the [twenty-five] twenty-seven members [of the council,] :

            (1) Fifteen [must] shall be active public school classroom teachers, which may include guidance counselors, librarians, and vocational teachers;

            (2) One shall be a local school board member;

            (3) One shall be a state board of education member;

            (4) Four shall be active school administrators, one elementary school building principal, one middle school building principal, one high school building principal, and one central office administrator;

            (5) Four shall represent institutions of higher education with accredited teacher education programs, which may include public and private colleges and universities and community colleges; and

            (6) Two additional members may be added as necessary, who are appointed by the commissioner.

            2. The duties and responsibilities of the advisory council shall include, but not be limited to:

            (1) Making recommendations for the criteria and procedures whereby the quality and effectiveness of teacher and school administrator education programs in all public and private colleges and universities and community colleges within the state shall be evaluated;

            (2) Making recommendations for the requirements for the certification and renewal of certification of public school teachers and administrators;

            (3) Making recommendations for the standards for renewal and upgrades of certificates for public school teachers and administrators using academic course work [as well as other types of] , professional development, and other requirements outlined in statute or rules and regulations;

            (4) Making recommendations concerning rules and regulations with respect to the standards used to measure high-quality professional development and high-quality induction programs for teachers, support services, vocational educators, and administrators, including a review of programs and moneys appropriated under subsection 2 of section 160.530, RSMo;

            [(4)] (5) Making recommendations concerning rules and regulations [with respect to suspension and revocation of certificates of license to teach] regarding recruitment and retention of teachers, teaching standards, beginning teacher assistance programs, mentoring programs, and teaching and learning conditions;

            [(5) Requesting and receiving reports from committees consisting of representatives from various professional groups, qualified in respective curriculum areas and other specialized areas, to assist in the formulation of recommendations of the advisory committee to the commissioner of education with respect to certification of public school teachers and administrators;]

            (6) Making recommendations for limiting the issuance of temporary and provisional certificates that are granted to those who do not meet the full requirements for certification, state and local programs and assistance to promote retention and professional development of such teachers, and the requirements for such teachers to gain full certification.

            3. Members shall serve without remuneration. From funds appropriated in accordance with subsection 2 of section 160.530, RSMo, the advisory council shall be reimbursed for travel and other expenses actually and necessarily incurred in the performance of their duties.

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