Chapter 525 Oregon Laws 2003

AN ACT

HB 2575

Relating to licensing of education personnel; creating new provisions; amending ORS 342.136 and 342.138; and declaring an emergency.

Be It Enacted by the People of the State of Oregon:

SECTION 1. ORS 342.136 is amended to read:

342.136. (1) An initial teaching, personnel service or administrative license shall qualify its holder to accept any assignment from preprimary through grade 12 for which the holder has completed the requirements established by the rules of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

(2) An initial license shall be issued on application [for three years] to an otherwise qualified person who has completed an approved professional education program and meets such other requirements as the commission may consider necessary to maintain and improve the quality of instruction in the public schools of the state.

(3) An initial license may be renewed [once] if the applicant meets the requirements established by the commission by rule.

SECTION 2. ORS 342.138 is amended to read:

342.138. (1) A continuing teaching, personnel service or administrative license shall qualify the holder to accept any assignments for preprimary through grade 12 for which the holder has completed the advanced requirements established by the rules of the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission.

(2) A continuing license shall be issued on application for five years to an otherwise qualified person who has:

(a) Completed an advanced professional education program approved by the commission;

(b) Been employed [on an initial license] for a minimum period of time to be determined by the commission in:

(A) An Oregon public school [or];

(B) An Oregon private school that meets the standards adopted by the commission by rule or is registered as a private school under ORS 345.505 to 345.575; or

(C) Another educational setting approved by the commission; and

(c) Demonstrated minimum competencies, knowledge and skills required for the continuing license through an approved teacher education institution, school district, professional organization identified in ORS 342.121, or professional assessment approved by the commission.

(3) The holder of a continuing license may renew the continuing license [for five years by verification of successful teaching experience and continuing professional development] in accordance with the rules of the commission.

SECTION 3. The amendments to ORS 342.136 and 342.138 by sections 1 and 2 of this 2003 Act apply to initial and continuing licenses issued or renewed by the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission on or after January 15, 1999.

SECTION 4. (1) During the 2003-2005 biennium, the Teacher Standards and Practices Commission shall study the policy issues that have arisen from the implementation of the continuing teaching license.

(2) Prior to May 1, 2004, the commission shall report to the interim committees on education about the progress of the study.

(3) Prior to February 1, 2005, the commission shall report to the Seventy-third Legislative Assembly about the plan for changing the administrative rules of the commission to reflect the conclusions from the study.

SECTION 5. This 2003 Act being necessary for the immediate preservation of the public peace, health and safety, an emergency is declared to exist, and this 2003 Act takes effect on its passage.

Approved by the Governor July 1, 2003

Filed in the office of Secretary of State July 1, 2003

Effective date July 1, 2003

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