07 LC 28
3572S
The
House Committee on Higher Education offers the following substitute to HB
458:
A
BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
AN ACT
To
amend Part 2 of Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of
Georgia Annotated, relating to the university system, so as to encourage all
universities under the management of the board of regents which offer a
four-year degree to establish a teacher education program; to provide for
legislative findings and intent; to provide for related matters; to provide an
effective date; to provide for applicability; to repeal conflicting laws; and
for other purposes.
BE
IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF GEORGIA:
SECTION
1.
The
General Assembly finds that each year in Georgia the demand grows for qualified
teachers as the population expands. While the board of regents has encouraged
all institutions with teacher education programs to implement aggressive
recruitment policies to increase the number and raise the caliber and diversity
of teacher candidates in order to balance supply and demand, the teacher
shortage in Georgia continues to grow. The General Assembly finds further that
increasing the number of teacher education programs at universities across this
state would reduce the shortage of educators in these areas and significantly
increase the number of qualified and available teachers in Georgia. Therefore,
it is the intent of this legislation to encourage the board of regents to
increase the supply of quality teachers throughout this state by mandating
teacher education programs at universities offering four-year degree
programs.
SECTION
2.
Part
2 of Article 2 of Chapter 3 of Title 20 of the Official Code of Georgia
Annotated, relating to the university system, is amended by adding a new Code
section as follows:
"20-3-88.
Each
university under the management and control of the Board of Regents of the
University System of Georgia which offers a four-year degree shall be encouraged
to establish and offer a teacher education program. The program should be a
four-year degree and meet such requirements and qualifications as will meet the
standards for certification in Georgia for teachers in elementary and secondary
education."
SECTION
3.
This
Act shall become effective on July 1, 2007, provided that the education programs
established by this Act are not required to be made available until August 1,
2008.
SECTION
4.
All
laws and parts of laws in conflict with this Act are repealed.