2005 Idaho Code - 33-1207A — TEACHER PREPARATION

                                  TITLE  33
                                  EDUCATION
                                  CHAPTER 12
                                   TEACHERS
    33-1207A.  TEACHER PREPARATION. (1) Higher Education Institutions. The
state board shall review teacher preparation programs at the institutions of
higher education under their supervision and shall assure that the course
offerings and graduation requirements are consistent with the state board
approved, research based "Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Plan." To assure the
most immediate compliance with this requirement, the board may allocate funds,
subject to appropriation, to institutions which require revision of the
program.
    The state board shall be responsible for the development of a single
preservice assessment measure for all kindergarten through grade eight (8)
teacher preparation programs. The assessment must include a demonstration of
teaching skills and knowledge congruent with current research on best reading
practices. In addition the assessment must include how children acquire
language; the basic sound structure of English, including phonological and
phonemic awareness; phonics and structural analysis; semantics and syntactics;
how to select reading textbooks; and how to use diagnostic tools and test data
to improve teaching. It shall also include the preservice teacher's knowledge
base of reading process: phonological awareness; sound-symbol correspondence
(intensive, systematic phonemes); semantics (meaning); syntax (grammar and
language patterns); pragmatics (background knowledge and life experience); and
comprehension and critical thinking. By September 2002, all K-8 teacher
candidates from an Idaho teacher preparation program shall pass this
assessment in order to qualify for an Idaho standard elementary teaching
certificate. The state board shall report the number of preservice teachers
taking and passing the performance-based reading assessment to the legislature
and governor annually. All costs associated with administration of this test
shall be borne by the institution which administers the test and shall be
shown as a line item in the appropriation request of the institution for state
reimbursement.
    (2)  In-service Programs. Each teacher employed in a classroom for
kindergarten through grade eight (8), Title I, or special education and each
school administrator of a school which includes kindergarten through grade
eight (8), Title I, or special education shall complete three (3) credits (or
forty-five (45) contact hours of in-service training) of a state approved
reading instruction course titled "Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Course" based
on the state approved research based "Idaho Comprehensive Literacy Plan" in
order to recertify. Courses which qualify for credit shall be approved by the
state department of education, and any educator who completes a state approved
reading instruction course prior to September 2001, shall be deemed to have
met the requirements of this subsection. Completion of a state approved
reading instruction course shall be a one-time requirement for renewal of
certification for those currently employed in an Idaho school district and
shall be included within current requirements for continuing education for
renewal. The department shall provide a waiver of this requirement if the
applicant successfully completes the reading assessment measure developed for
preservice purposes as provided in subsection (1) of this section. The
department shall establish a procedure to allow a waiver of this requirement
if the applicant teaches in a secondary grade subject which does not directly
involve teaching reading or writing.
    The board of trustees of every school district shall include in its plan
for in-service training, coursework covering reading skills development,
including diagnostic tools to review and adjust instruction continuously, and
the ability to identify students who need special help in reading. The
district plan for in-service training in reading skills shall be submitted to
the state department of education for review and approval, in a format
specified by the department.