2014 Missouri Revised Statutes
TITLE XI EDUCATION AND LIBRARIES (160-186)
Chapter 161 State Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
Section 161.097 Evaluation of teacher education programs--rulemaking authority.

161.097. 1. The state board of education shall establish standards and procedures by which it will evaluate all teacher training institutions in this state for the approval of teacher education programs. The state board of education shall not require teacher training institutions to meet national or regional accreditation as a part of its standards and procedures in making those evaluations, but it may accept such accreditations in lieu of such approval if standards and procedures set thereby are at least as stringent as those set by the board. The state board of education's standards and procedures for evaluating teacher training institutions shall equal or exceed those of national or regional accrediting associations.

2. There is hereby established within the department of elementary and secondary education the "Missouri Advisory Board for Educator Preparation", hereinafter referred to as "MABEP". The MABEP shall advise the state board of education and the coordinating board for higher education regarding matters of mutual interest in the area of quality educator preparation programs in Missouri.

3. Upon approval by the state board of education of the teacher education program at a particular teacher training institution, any person who graduates from that program, and who meets other requirements which the state board of education shall prescribe by rule, regulation and statute shall be granted a certificate or license to teach in the public schools of this state. However, no such rule or regulation shall require that the program from which the person graduates be accredited by any national or regional accreditation association.

4. Any rule or portion of a rule, as that term is defined in section 536.010, that is created under the authority delegated in this section shall become effective only if it complies with and is subject to all of the provisions of chapter 536 and, if applicable, section 536.028. This section and chapter 536 are nonseverable and if any of the powers vested with the general assembly pursuant to chapter 536 to review, to delay the effective date, or to disapprove and annul a rule are subsequently held unconstitutional, then the grant of rulemaking authority and any rule proposed or adopted after August 28, 2014, shall be invalid and void.

(L. 1985 S.B. 154 § 1, A.L. 2014 S.B. 492)