Program; requirements

Sec. 4. An entity approved by the department may establish a course of study that meets the requirements of this section. A program approved under this section must comply with the following requirements: (1) Include the following study requirements: (A) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in grades 5 through 12, up to eighteen (18) credit hours of study or the equivalent that: (i) prepares a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching in the subject areas corresponding to the area in which the program participant has met the education requirements under section 5 of this chapter, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; (ii) beginning July 1, 2024, provides the program participants with instruction that is aligned to the science of reading; and (iii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepares a program participant who seeks to obtain an elementary generalist license that is valid for teaching in kindergarten through grade 5, an early childhood license that is valid for teaching prekindergarten through grade 3, or a license to teach special education to obtain the literacy endorsement required under IC 20-28-5-19.7. (B) For a program participant who seeks to obtain a license to teach in kindergarten through grade 6, twenty-four (24) credit hours of study or the equivalent, which must include at least six (6) credit hours in teaching scientifically based reading instruction that: (i) beginning July 1, 2024, is aligned to the science of reading; (ii) prepares a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; and (iii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepares a program participant to obtain the literacy endorsement required under IC 20-28-5-19.7. (C) For a program participant who seeks a license to teach in prekindergarten through grade 3, twenty-four (24) credit hours of study (or the equivalent) that must: (i) beginning July 1, 2024, include at least six (6) credit hours in teaching scientifically based reading instruction aligned to the science of reading; (ii) prepare a program participant to meet Indiana standards for teaching, unless the program participant demonstrates that the program participant requires fewer credit hours of study to meet Indiana standards for teaching; and (iii) beginning July 1, 2024, prepare a program participant to obtain the literacy endorsement required under IC 20-28-5-19.7. (2) Focus on student mastery of standards established by the state. (3) Include suitable field or classroom experiences if the program participant does not have teaching experience.