(a) For purposes of this Code section, the term "core academic subject" means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, or geography.

(b) (1) Each local school system may provide an alternative teacher certification program upon approval by the Professional Standards Commission for a secondary school teacher candidate to teach a course or courses in a core academic subject who:

(A) Possesses a master's degree, doctoral degree, or Juris Doctor in each academic subject in which the candidate will teach;

(B) Receives high-quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom focused in order to have a positive and lasting impact on classroom instruction, before and while teaching;

(C) Participates in a program of intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance and regular ongoing support for teachers or a teacher mentoring program;

(D) Assumes functions as a teacher only for a specified period of time not to exceed three years; and

(E) Demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the Professional Standards Commission.

(2) The Professional Standards Commission shall apply the least restrictive standards when approving a school system developed program under this subsection.

(3) Any teacher certified pursuant to this subsection shall be considered a highly qualified teacher for purposes of the federal No Child Left Behind Act (P.L. 107-110).

(c) Each local school system may provide an alternative teacher certification program upon approval by the Professional Standards Commission for a secondary school teacher candidate to teach a course or courses in a subject that is not a core academic subject who:

(1) Possesses a master's degree, doctoral degree, or Juris Doctor in each academic subject in which the candidate will teach; and

(2) Demonstrates satisfactory progress toward full certification as prescribed by the Professional Standards Commission.

(d) A teacher receiving initial certification pursuant to this Code section shall be treated in the same manner as certificated professional personnel for purposes of this chapter or any local board of education policy, including receiving salaries pursuant to the minimum salary schedule provided for in Code Section 20-2-212.

(e) A local school system shall not discriminate or treat differently in any manner a teacher possessing initial certification pursuant to this Code section, an applicant seeking initial certification pursuant to this Code section, or an individual meeting the requirement contained in subparagraph (b)(1)(A) or paragraph (1) of subsection (c) of this Code section and eligible for initial certification pursuant to this Code section, including, but not limited to, refusal to admit such teacher to a job fair or other teacher recruitment activity.