§7.2. Approved teacher education programs

A. In carrying out its responsibility to prescribe the qualifications and provide for the certification of teachers under authority of R.S. 17:7(6), the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, subject to the constitutional power and authority of the Board of Regents, the Board of Supervisors for the University of Louisiana System, the Board of Supervisors of Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, and the Board of Supervisors of Southern University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, shall establish qualifications and requirements for the approval of teacher education programs from which graduates may be certified. The qualifications and requirements established by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education for an approved teacher education program shall include but not be limited to the following:

(1) That the program shall include practical experience in actual classroom situations during a student's sophomore year of college.

(2) That the program shall include field experiences in schools of varied socioeconomic and cultural characteristics.

(3) That the program shall include instruction in child discipline and the prevention of disruptive behavior in schools.

(4) That the institution offering the program provide procedures for student evaluation and counseling such that upon initial entry into the institution each student shall be evaluated with respect to his aptitude and suitability for his intended major academic field by a guidance counselor assigned to the student in accordance with procedures determined by the institution. The evaluation shall be based upon the student's grade point average in high school, college entrance examination, placement tests where applicable, and any other additional tests or evaluative instruments deemed appropriate by the guidance counselor. The counselor shall advise the student concerning his aptitude and suitability for particular fields of study, based on his findings from all such tests and instruments. No student shall be required to expend any funds for the administration or taking of any test or evaluative instrument or to take any test or be evaluated by any instrument either of which the student deems invasive of his privacy. Evaluation and counseling shall place particular emphasis on aptitude and suitability for teaching in the case of any student indicating his intention to follow a teacher education curriculum.

(5) That the dean or his designee of the college of education or equivalent entity of the institution offering the program observe each full-time or part-time faculty member of the college of education or equivalent entity who is teaching a course for credit in the teacher education program during not less than two regularly scheduled classes within the semester or quarter and submit a written report of all such observations to the president or chancellor of the college or university, which report shall not be a public record, notwithstanding any provision of law to the contrary, including any provision of R.S. 44:1(A).

(6) That the program shall include, for certification to teach grades seven through twelve, training in teaching family life education and the use of methods and materials to integrate this material into an existing course of study such as home economics, science, health, physical hygiene, or physical education. For purposes of this Paragraph, "family life education" shall mean information and techniques as appropriate for the age of a student relative to family living and community relationships; the value of postponing sexual activity; human sexuality; human reproduction and contraception; the etiology, prevention, and effects of sexually transmitted diseases, including human acquired immunodeficiency virus disease (AIDS); the consequences of tobacco use and substance abuse; the consequences of the lack of and inadequate prenatal care; child neglect and abuse; domestic violence; and the responsibilities of parenthood.

B. The board by regulation may make further provision with respect to these qualifications and requirements not inconsistent with this Section and other applicable law.

C. In adopting requirements for approval of teacher education programs pursuant to this Section the board shall provide that such requirements shall not be applicable to students enrolled in an approved teacher education program in Louisiana on the effective date of this Section, unless the board finds that any such requirement can be made applicable without undue hardship to the student. The board shall provide that requirements adopted pursuant to Paragraphs (4) and (5) of Subsection A shall not be applicable to students enrolled in an approved teacher education program in Louisiana on the effective date of such Paragraphs, unless the board finds that any such requirement can be made applicable without undue hardship to the student.

D. Nothing in this Section shall be construed to prohibit the provision by the board for certification by alternative means other than by completion of an approved teacher education program.

Added by Acts 1977, No. 757, §1. Amended by Acts 1979, No. 565, §1; Acts 1980, No. 800, §1; Acts 1991, No. 756, §1; Acts 2013, No. 220, §6, eff. June 11, 2013.