§ 49-5-5610. Requirements for Entering Teacher Training Programs
All students wishing to enter approved teacher training programs shall be required to: Supply a fingerprint sample and submit to a criminal history records check to be conducted by the Tennessee bureau of investigation (TBI) and the federal bureau of investigation (FBI); and Agree that the TBI may send to the teacher training program information […]
§ 49-5-5601. Legislative Intent Relative to Teacher Education
The general assembly recognizes the vital position occupied by institutions of higher education in the training of teachers, the improvement in the quality of the education profession, and the impact on Tennessee students. In acting to support these functions in public institutions of higher education, the general assembly must maintain a proper balance between the […]
§ 49-5-5602. Tests Required for Entrance to Approved Teacher Training Programs
All students wishing to enter approved teacher training programs shall be required to submit a score on a secure standardized test or tests chosen by the state board of education. The board is authorized to promulgate rules and regulations listing the test or tests authorized for this purpose, minimum acceptable cutoff scores for the test […]
§ 49-5-5603. Licenses to Teach Granted Only to Graduates of Qualifying Institutions
In order to assure the public that every teacher has been adequately trained, licenses to teach shall be issued only to those students who have been graduated from a Tennessee institution certified by the department of education or from an out-of-state institution certified by the state in which it is located. If the state in […]
§ 49-5-5604. Clinical Experiences Required — Assignment to Educator
In order to gain experience in a school and demonstrate readiness for teaching, educator preparation providers shall require clinical experiences, including field experiences and clinical practice, as defined by the state board of education. During the clinical practice, each candidate shall be assigned to an effective educator for guidance, evaluation, and instruction.
§ 49-5-5605. Proficiency Tests
All students desiring a license to teach must pass both a test that measures professional knowledge and a standardized or criterion-referenced test for each desired area of endorsement. These tests shall be developed or acquired by the department of education, validated and administered by the department at each institution or made available through the regular […]
§ 49-5-5606. Passing Scores on Exams — Eligibility for License and Employment
Those students who achieve a passing score on the state teacher’s examination required by § 49-5-5605 are eligible to be awarded a license by the state board of education and may apply for employment in the school system of their choice.
§ 49-5-5607. State Board Review of Teacher Training Institutions — Probation — Revocation of State Approval — Annual Performance Reports — Promulgation of Rules
The state board of education shall review the scores on the state teachers examination from each public and private teacher training institution. Any institution that had thirty percent (30%) or more of its students fail the examination in the previous year shall be informed and placed on probationary status. Any institution that has thirty percent […]
§ 49-5-5608. Training for Teaching Children With Behavioral or Emotional Disorders
All teacher training institutions are encouraged to offer, and encourage all students to take, a course specifically designed for prevention and intervention strategies in behavioral/emotional disorders. This course should include information from the fields of psychology and education.