Preparation of teachers. Alternate route programs for teachers, administrators and early childhood education teachers.

(b) The Office of Higher Education, with the approval of the Commissioner of Education, shall expand, within available appropriations, participation in its summer alternate route to certification program and its weekend and evening alternate route to certification program. The office shall expand the weekend and evening program for participants seeking certification in a subject shortage area pursuant to section 10-8b . The office, in collaboration with the Department of Education, shall develop (1) a regional alternate route to certification program targeted to the subject shortage areas, (2) an alternate route to certification program for former teachers whose certificates have expired and who are interested in resuming their teaching careers, and (3) an alternate route to certification program targeted for computer science teachers. (c) The Office of Higher Education, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall develop alternate route to certification programs for (1) school administrators and superintendents, (2) early childhood education teachers, and (3) computer science teachers. The programs shall include mentored apprenticeships and criteria for admission to the programs. Cited. 216 C. 253.