LAC 28:CXXXI.1307. Requirements to add Early Childhood (Grades PK-3)

A. Individuals holding a valid elementary certificate for grade levels 1-4, 1-5, 1-6, or 1-8 must achieve the following: 1. earn a passing score for Praxis—principles of learning and teaching early childhood; or 2. 12 semester hours of combined early childhood and kindergarten coursework. 3. Individuals must complete nine semester hours in the teaching of reading and literacy in alignment with the literacy foundations competencies or other literacy options as outlined in §1301 of this Chapter. B. Individuals holding a valid upper elementary or middle school certificate for grade levels 4-8, 5-8, or 6-8, secondary school certificate for grade levels 6-12, 7-12, or 9-12, special education certificate other than early interventionist, or an all-level K-12 certificate in the areas of art, dance, foreign language, health, physical education, health and physical education, theater, or music must achieve the following: 1. for endorsements issued 9/1/17 and beyond, earn a passing score for Praxis elementary education: multiple subjects; and 2. earn a passing score for Praxis principles of learning and teaching early childhood or accumulate 12 credit hours of combined early childhood and kindergarten coursework; and 3. complete nine semester hours in the teaching of reading and literacy, or other literacy options as outlined in §1301 of this Chapter in alignment with the literacy foundations competencies. 4. Beginning September 1, 2024, an applicant applying for certification to teach kindergarten through third grade shall pass the BESE-approved Teaching of Reading: Elementary or Teaching of Reading: Elementary Subtest exam in accordance with §303 of this Part. C. Individuals holding a valid early interventionist certificate must achieve the following: 1. earn a passing score for Praxis—Elementary Education; 2. earn twelve credit hours of combined early childhood and kindergarten coursework; and 3. complete nine semester hours in the teaching of reading and literacy, or other literacy options as outlined in §1301 of this Chapter in alignment with the literacy foundations competencies. 4. Beginning September 1, 2024, an applicant applying for certification to teach kindergarten through third grade shall pass the BESE-approved Teaching of Reading: Elementary or Teaching of Reading: Elementary Subtest exam in accordance with §303 of this Part. D. Individuals holding a valid birth to kindergarten certificate must achieve the following: 1. earn passing score for Praxis Elementary Education in accordance with §303 of this Part; and 2. complete nine semester hours in the teaching of reading and literacy, or other literacy options as outlined in §1301 of this Chapter in alignment with the literacy foundations competencies. 3. Beginning September 1, 2024, an applicant applying for certification to teach kindergarten through third grade shall pass the BESE-approved Teaching of Reading: Elementary or Teaching of Reading: Elementary Subtest exam in accordance with §303 of this Part.