A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO DIRECT THE STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION TO APPROVE CERTAIN qualifying ALTERNATIVE LATERAL ENTRY TEACHER EDUCATION PREPARATION PROGRAMS.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
SECTION 1.  G.S. 115C‑296.12 reads as rewritten:
"§ 115C‑296.12.  Lateral entry teacher education preparation programs.
(a)	It is the policy of the State of North Carolina to encourage lateral entry into the profession of teaching by skilled individuals from the private sector. Skilled individuals who choose to enter the profession of teaching laterally may be granted an initial teaching license for no more than three years and shall be required to obtain licensure required for those who have taught more than three years before contracting for a fourth year of service with any local school administrative unit in this State. The criteria and procedures for lateral entry shall include preservice training in all of the following areas:
(1)	The identification and education of children with disabilities.
(2)	Positive management of student behavior.
(3)	Effective communication for defusing and deescalating disruptive or dangerous behavior.
(4)	Safe and appropriate use of seclusion and restraint.
(a1)	The State Board of Education may approve alternative, private, for‑profit, or nonprofit lateral entry teacher education preparation programs that meet standards set by the State Board of Education. These standards shall include preservice training pursuant to subsection (a) of this section and the competency‑based standards necessary to earn a teaching license pursuant to subdivisions (1) through (4) of subsection (b) of this section. Approved alternative, private, lateral entry teacher education preparation program providers shall administer the training to meet these standards.
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(e)	An individual who successfully completes a lateral entry program of study and meets all other requirements of licensure set by the State Board of Education Shall be recommended for a North Carolina teaching license.
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SECTION 2.  The State Board of Education shall request participation applications from alternative, private, for‑profit, or nonprofit lateral entry teacher education preparation programs no later than September 1, 2016. By October 15, 2016, the State Board shall approve at least one program, including any application from North Carolina Teachers of Tomorrow, but no more than four programs, if those programs meet the requirements of G.S. 115C‑296.12(a1). Approved programs may begin operating as early as the 2017 spring academic term.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law.