2022 Legislative Impacts on Educator Preparation

Colorado House Bill 22-1220 enacts numerous changes - and opportunities - for those pursuing educator preparation

Some of these changes, including a variety of available stipends, are overseen by the Colorado Department of Higher Education (CDHE). Others, including those around alternative preparation and licensure requirements, will be under the Colorado Department of Education's purview.

For more information about these initiatives, please review the following FAQs:

CDE

Interim Authorization for Alternative Preparation

In addition to the alternative teacher license, where candidates demonstrate content competency upon enrollment, HB 22-1220 allows for individuals who have not yet demonstrated content competency to obtain an interim authorization instead.

Q: Is the interim authorization for alternative teacher preparation available now?

A: Beginning July 1, 2022, candidates who have been hired as a teacher and who have enrolled in a Colorado-approved alternative preparation program, but who have not successfully passed the required content exam to show content competency, may complete the alternative teacher application and apply for an interim authorization.(Please note: This application and option will not be available until July 1, 2022.)

Q: How long is an interim authorization valid?

A: An interim authorization is valid for one year and alternative teachers may renew it for one additional year to complete a two-year alternative program. If an individual is able to demonstrate content competency while under the first interim authorization, he/she may advance to an alternative license (if still completing a program) or to an initial license upon program completion and fulfilling any other licensure requirements. More information about the interim authorization for alternative preparation will be outlined on the alternative teacher application checklist as soon as the application is available.

Content Exams / Demonstration of Content Competency

House Bill 22-1220 calls for CDE to obtain stakeholder feedback, determine multiple measures for demonstrating content competency and engage with the Colorado State Board of Education's rule-making process to offer options for candidates beginning in fall 2023.

Q: Are content exams still required for early childhood, elementary and special education endorsements?

A: Yes, until the multiple measures for demonstrating content competency (as described above and in HB 22-1220) are established, the exam requirements for these endorsements as outlined in present State Board rule remain in effect.

Q: What are the current options by which an educator may show content competency?

A: Early childhood, elementary and special education endorsements aside, an individual may demonstrate content competency via a bachelor's or higher degree in the content area, 24 semester hours of university coursework or a passing score on the approved PRAXIS exam. Specific exams and endorsement worksheets for determining applicable degrees and coursework can be found on the alternative teacher endorsements webpage.

Q: Will the PRAXIS exams be eliminated altogether?

A: No, content exams are and will remain an option for showing content competency for endorsements.

CDHE (Colorado Department of Higher Education)

Educator Stipends

House Bill 22-1220 established a number of stipend and loan forgiveness programs, to be overseen by CDHE, to help candidates cover their educator preparation costs.

Q: What is the Student Educator Stipend Program ?

A: The student educator stipend program awards monies to a qualifying candidate's educator preparation program to compensate them for their student teaching/clinical experience in an academic residency position. Candidates placed in a 16-week residency may receive up to $11,000, while those in a 32-week residency may qualify for up to $22,000. Please review this fact sheet for more information and how to determine eligibility.

Q: When will the Student Educator Stipend Program funds be available for candidates who are student teaching?

A: Funds will be disbursed accordingly to educator preparation programs by Aug. 1, 2022, for the programs to then allocate to eligible students. Please contact CDHE's director of educator preparation with any questions.

Q: What is the Student Educator Test Stipend Program?

A: The student educator test stipend awards monies to Colorado preparation programs to reduce financial barriers for students preparing for the assessments of professional competencies required for licensure (listed at right*). These stipends may be sued for test preparation materials, registration fees and related travel costs for eligible students. Please review this fact sheet for more information and how to determine eligibility.

Q: When will the Student Educator Test Stipend Program funds be available to help cover content exam fees and related expenses?

Loan Forgiveness

Q: Where can I find information on educator loan forgiveness?

A: Please visit CDHE's website for more information about educator loan forgiveness.

*These assessments include the following PRAXIS exams: Early Childhood Education #5024, Early Childhood Special Education #5691, Elementary Education #5901, Special Education #5354, Teaching Reading #5205 and School Counselor #5421.

This webpage will be updated as more information becomes available.

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