HB342 Alabama 2023 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Susan DuBoseRepresentative

Republican

Session

Regular Session 2023

Title

Relating to alternative teacher preparation programs and teacher certification; to amend Section 2 of Act 2022-239, 2022 Regular Session, now appearing as Section 16-23-3.1, Code of Alabama 1975, to provide additional requirements for programs.

Summary

HB342 expands and tightens Alabama's alternative teacher preparation programs and how they certify teachers.

What This Bill Does

It allows the State Superintendent to issue professional educator certificates to people who complete an approved alternative program, alongside traditional pathways. It creates and requires a database to screen and refer candidates from approved alternative organizations, and sets minimum requirements those organizations must meet. It outlines criteria the State Board may use to approve organizations (and CAEP as a potential fallback), and states that individuals certified through these programs may teach in the areas and levels they completed. It also requires annual reporting by approved organizations, mentorship for new alt-certified teachers when applicable, and treats alt-certified teachers the same as traditional ones for renewal. The act becomes effective a few months after passage.

Who It Affects

• Prospective teachers who pursue certification through approved alternative teacher preparation programs, as they may receive a professional educator certificate and be authorized to teach certain subjects or grade levels.
• Approved alternative teacher education preparation organizations, which must meet minimum requirements and may be approved by the State Board (with CAEP as a backup option if prerequisites aren’t met).
• State Board of Education and the State Superintendent of Education, who oversee program approval, maintain the candidate database, and manage certification processes.
• Local boards of education and their students, since new alt-certified teachers may be employed and must participate in the Alabama Teacher Mentorship Program when applicable.

Key Provisions

• The State Superintendent shall issue professional educator certificates to qualified individuals who complete an approved alternative teacher preparation program, in addition to certificates issued for traditional programs.
• The State Board of Education shall maintain a database of approved alternative organizations to screen, recruit, and recommend for certification qualified individuals to teach in public K-12 schools.
• An approved alternative organization must require applicants to have a bachelor’s degree, pass a criminal history background check, and successfully complete the program.
• The Board may consider prerequisites for approving organizations, including operating in at least five states (not on probation in any), at least 10 years of program operation, satisfactory exam requirements, and evidence of certifying at least 10,000 teachers; CAEP can approve organizations that don’t meet these prerequisites.
• An alt-certified individual may teach in the subject areas and educational levels completed through the alt program; renewal is treated the same as traditional certifications.
• Approved organizations must submit an annual report detailing the number of individuals who completed the program that year.
• Alt-certified teachers must participate in the Alabama Teacher Mentorship Program if hired by a participating local board.
• The act becomes effective on the first day of the third month after its passage.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Alternative teacher preparation program, qualification as alternative teacher education preparation organization revised