§7.2. Approved teacher education programs
A. In carrying out its responsibility to prescribe the qualifications and provide for the
certification of teachers under authority of R.S. 17:7(6), the State Board of Elementary and
Secondary Education, subject to the constitutional power and authority of the Board of
Regents, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, the Board of
Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the
Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, shall
establish qualifications and requirements for the approval of teacher education programs
from which graduates may be certified. The qualifications and requirements established by
the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for an approved teacher education
program shall include but not be limited to the following:
(1) That the program shall include practical experience in actual classroom situations
during a student's sophomore year of college.
(2) That the program shall include field experiences in schools of varied
socioeconomic and cultural characteristics.
(3) That the program shall include instruction in child discipline and the prevention
of disruptive behavior in schools.
(4) Repealed by Acts 2022, No. 244, §2, eff. May 31, 2022.
(5) That the dean or his designee of the college of education or equivalent entity of
the institution offering the program observe each full-time or part-time faculty member of
the college of education or equivalent entity who is teaching a course for credit in the teacher
education program during not less than two regularly scheduled classes within the semester
or quarter and submit a written report of all such observations to the president or chancellor
of the college or university, which report shall not be a public record, notwithstanding any
provision of law to the contrary, including any provision of R.S. 44:1(A).
(6) That the program shall include, for certification to teach grades seven through
twelve, training in teaching family life education and the use of methods and materials to
integrate this material into an existing course of study such as home economics, science,
health, physical hygiene, or physical education. For purposes of this Paragraph, "family life
education" shall mean information and techniques as appropriate for the age of a student
relative to family living and community relationships; the value of postponing sexual
activity; human sexuality; human reproduction and contraception; the etiology, prevention,
and effects of sexually transmitted diseases, including human acquired immunodeficiency
virus disease (AIDS); the consequences of tobacco use and substance abuse; the
consequences of the lack of and inadequate prenatal care; child neglect and abuse; domestic
violence; and the responsibilities of parenthood.
(7) Beginning with the 2024-2025 academic year, that an approved teacher education
program shall be no more than one hundred twenty semester hours of college credit for
degree completion, inclusive of any classroom observation time or mentorship requirements.
Programs designated by the Board of Regents as dual degrees or dual certifications shall be
permitted to exceed the one-hundred-twenty-semester-hour credit limit.
(8)(a) That the program include no less than three credit hours on teaching students
with dyslexia within the existing credit hour requirements. The coursework shall include but
need not be limited to the following:
(i) An overview of the body of scientific work regarding dyslexia, including the
history, epidemiology, and clinical presentation, including early clinical indicators of
dyslexia and common, persistent classroom presentations.
(ii) An overview of evidence-based instruction for individuals with dyslexia
including remediation of weaknesses, fortification of strengths, and common
accommodations to help mediate between the two.
(iii) An introduction to the process of becoming a dyslexia practitioner or dyslexia
therapist, pursuant to R.S. 17:392.2.
(b) The specific content of the coursework required by this Paragraph is subject to
rules and regulations promulgated by the board in accordance with the Administrative
Procedure Act.
(c) Each program shall designate at least one faculty member to teach the coursework
who has been provided specialized training in instructing future teachers on how to teach
students with dyslexia.
B. The board by regulation may make further provision with respect to these
qualifications and requirements not inconsistent with this Section and other applicable law.
C. In adopting requirements for approval of teacher education programs pursuant to
this Section, the board shall provide that such requirements shall not be applicable to
students enrolled in an approved teacher education program in Louisiana on the effective
date of this Section, unless the board finds that any such requirement can be made applicable
without undue hardship to the student. The board shall provide that requirements adopted
pursuant to Paragraphs (A)(4) and (5) of this Section shall not be applicable to students
enrolled in an approved teacher education program in Louisiana on the effective date of such
Paragraphs, unless the board finds that any such requirement can be made applicable without
undue hardship to the student.
D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit the provision by the board
for certification by alternative means other than by completion of an approved teacher
education program; however, alternative means shall include at least three credit hours on
teaching students with dyslexia as provided in Paragraph (A)(8) of this Section within the
existing credit hour requirements.
Added by Acts 1977, No. 757, §1. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 565, §1; Acts 1980,
No. 800, §1; Acts 1991, No. 756, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §6, eff. June 11, 2013; Acts 2021,
No. 275, §4; Acts 2022, No. 244, §§1, 2, eff. May 31, 2022; Acts 2022, No. 374, §1; Acts
2022, No. 607, §1.