SB88 Alabama 2020 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Andrew JonesSenator

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2020

Title

Teachers, St. Board of Education, authorized to issue alternative teaching certificates to qualified former members of Armed Forces, Sec. 16-23-3 am'd.

Summary

SB 88 would allow the State Board of Education to issue an alternative teaching certificate to qualified former members of the United States Armed Forces, expanding pathways to teaching in Alabama.

What This Bill Does

It creates two tracks for alternative certificates: a general track for degree-holders who did not complete an approved teacher program, with specific requirements; and a military veteran track for armed forces retirees with 10+ years of service and a master’s degree, which does not require Praxis II. Certificates would be valid up to four years, with a pathway after three years of teaching under the alt certificate to convert to a standard teaching certificate if conditions are met. The program includes emergency certificates for staffing needs and limits the alt certificate to grades 6–12 (with a narrow exception for K–8 in fine arts or foreign languages).

Who It Affects

• Qualified former members of the United States Armed Forces who are retirees or honorably discharged with at least 10 years of service, who would be eligible for an alternative teaching certificate and potential advancement to a full certificate.
• Local school district superintendents and private school administrators who must recommend, hire, and mentor alternative-certificated teachers, and the districts/areas that implement the program.

Key Provisions

• Authorize alternative teaching certificates for individuals regardless of whether they graduated from an approved teacher education program, including a special track for armed forces members with a master’s degree and 10+ years of service (Praxis II not required for this track).
• Certificates shall be valid up to four years; after three years of employment under the alternative certificate with specified conditions, the holder may obtain a standard teaching certificate; includes emergency certificates with time limits and subject-area restrictions (6–12, with K–8 only for certain subjects).

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 23, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Education