Alabama § 16-37A-8 - Certification Process. [Credit Terminates Dec. 31, 2031]

§ 16-37A-8. Certification Process. [Credit Terminates Dec. 31, 2031]

(a) In order to support statewide workforce development initiatives, it is necessary to establish a streamlined process by which private sector employees may teach a qualified CTE program at an eligible educational institution.

(b) The department, in consultation with the Department of Workforce, may adopt rules and criteria for the establishment and issuance of a workforce teaching certificate that would authorize a qualified employee to serve as a classroom teacher at an eligible educational institution while still employed and paid by a private sector employer.

(c) The workforce teaching certificate shall authorize a qualified employee to engage in the following:

(1) To accept a teaching assignment, serve as a classroom teacher, and provide direct instruction for a qualified CTE program.

(2) To enter grades, maintain instructional records, and perform duties customarily exercised by full-time instructors, subject to approval by an eligible educational institution.

(3) Other duties as determined by the eligible educational institution.

(d) A qualified employee may not receive a workforce teaching certificate until after he or she has successfully passed a criminal history background check and obtained clearance from the department in accordance with the requirements of Section 16-22A-5.

(e) The department may terminate an individual’s workforce teaching certificate at any time for cause. An eligible educational institution may terminate an agreement with an employer which is entered into in accordance with the requirements of this chapter at any time if the qualified employee:

(1) Has his or her workforce teaching certificate terminated;

(2) Does not comply with the requirements of the agreement; or

(3) Does not conduct the teaching assignment at the expected level of performance.

(f) The department shall develop and administer a training program that must be taken and passed by a qualified employee prior to the issuance of a workforce teaching certificate and that individual beginning a teaching assignment. The training program shall be offered online. The training program should be limited in scope and duration, and the program’s instructional time should not exceed what is reasonably necessary to conduct a teaching assignment. The training program may include the entry level occupational proficiency assessment that is approved by the department, if applicable, but it must provide targeted instruction in: (i) classroom management; (ii) basic instructional methods; (iii) student safety and legal compliance; and (iv) grading standards and assessment fundamentals.

(g) The department may set the term of a workforce teaching certificate and the process by which a certificate may be renewed or terminated.

(h) The holder of a workforce teaching certificate shall not be personally liable for acts or omissions undertaken in performance of assigned instruction or supervisory duties. This protection shall not apply to willful, wanton, or intentional acts of misconduct, and shall be administered consistent with Section 16-28C-4.

(i) Neither the department nor an eligible educational institution shall be liable for any acts of the qualified employee.