AN ACT directing the state board of education to establish a pilot program for lateral entry teachers.

The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:

SECTION 1.  The State Board of Education shall adopt policies and procedures to pilot innovative programs for lateral entry teachers.  A local school administrative unit, community college, or college or university may be granted approval by the State Board of Education to pilot an innovative program for lateral entry teachers.  The Department of Public Instruction shall issue a license to all individuals who complete these approved programs who are recommended by the local school administrative unit, community college, or college or university and who otherwise meet licensure requirements. The policies and procedures shall be adopted no later than December 15, 2007. 
If a lateral entry teacher leaves a unit with an approved innovative program before completing the program and is hired to teach in another local school administrative unit in the State, that teacher shall receive credit for any work completed as part of the program.
SECTION 2.  The State Board of Education shall report to the Joint Legislative Education Oversight Committee on the effectiveness of the pilot innovative programs by October 15, 2010. The reports shall include any recommendations regarding the continuation, expansion, or elimination of the pilot program.
SECTION 3.  This act is effective when it becomes law. 
In the General Assembly read three times and ratified this the 31st day of July, 2007.

	s/	 Beverly E. Perdue
	 President of the Senate

	s/	 Joe Hackney
	 Speaker of the House of Representatives

	s/	 Michael F. Easley
	 Governor

Approved 6:14 p.m. this 19th day of August, 2007