§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) That the program shall include instruction on foundational numeracy skills that includes but need not be limited to the following:

            (a) Effectively teaching foundational mathematics skills explicitly and systematically.

            (b) Implementing effective mathematics instruction using high-quality instructional materials.

            (c) Providing effective instruction and interventions for students who have difficulty with mathematics.

            (d) Understanding and using student data to make instructional decisions.

            (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. 17:392.12.

            (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.

            Acts 1977, No. 757, §1; 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; Acts 2023, No. 266, §1; Acts 2023, No. 347, §1.