Colorado § 22-60.5-208.7 - Teacher of record program - rules - authorization - definition.

§ 22-60.5-208.7. Teacher of record program - rules - authorization - definition.

(1) As used in this section, unless the context otherwise requires, "local education provider" means a school district, a charter school authorized by a school district pursuant to part 1 of article 30.5 of this title 22, a charter school authorized by the state charter school institute pursuant to part 5 of article 30.5 of this title 22, or a board of cooperative services created and operating pursuant to article 5 of this title 22 that operates a public school.

(2) A local education provider is authorized to implement a one- or two-year teacher of record program and may only employ a teacher of record if the local education provider has determined that there is a critical teacher shortage and if there are no other qualified, licensed applicants for a vacant position. The state board of education shall establish rules and policies governing a teacher of record program established pursuant to this section.

(3) A student employed in a teacher of record program established pursuant to this section shall hold a teacher of record license issued pursuant to section 22-60.5-201 (1)(a.5).

(4) To assist the teacher of record in meeting the quality standards adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 22-2-109 (3), a teacher of record program must include, at a minimum:

(a) Direct and regular supervision by mentor teachers;

(b) Performance evaluations; and

(c) The teacher preparation program or teacher support services to be provided to teachers of record as agreed upon by the local education provider and the institution of higher education.

(5) A local education provider must include the teacher of record in the local education provider's induction program and other supports provided by the local education provider. If the teacher of record successfully completes an induction program, the teacher of record may apply completion of the induction program toward meeting the requirements for a professional teacher license.

(6) A local education provider shall treat a teacher of record as a first-year teacher for purposes of compensation and placement on a teacher salary schedule.

(7) (a) No later than September 30 each year, the department shall report to the education committees of the house of representatives and the senate, or any successor committees, information relating to teacher of record programs, which information must include, at a minimum:

(I) The number of students participating in a teacher of record program, including the local education providers with whom the students are employed;

(II) The institutions of higher education attended by the students;

(III) The percentage of students who complete a bachelor's degree within the two-year teacher of record license period; and

(IV) Demographic information relating to students who participate in a teacher of record program to gauge the success at recruiting demographically underrepresented groups to the education profession.

(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of section 24-1-136 (11)(a)(I), the department shall report the information described in subsection (7)(a) of this section in each year in which students are participating in teacher of record programs.

Source: L. 2018: Entire section added, (HB 18-1309), ch. 269, p. 1659, § 3, effective August 8. L. 2023: IP(4) amended, (SB 23-258), ch. 334, p. 2009, § 7, effective August 7.

Cross references: For the legislative declaration in SB 23-258, see section 1 of chapter 334, Session Laws of Colorado 2023.