Level two licensure.

A. A level two license is a nine-year license granted to a teacher who meets the qualifications for that level and who annually demonstrates essential competency to teach. If a level two teacher does not demonstrate essential competency in a given school year, the school district shall provide the teacher with additional professional development and peer intervention during the following school year. If, by the end of that school year, the teacher fails to demonstrate essential competency, a school district may choose not to contract with the teacher to teach in the classroom. B. The department shall issue a level two license to an applicant who has successfully taught at least three, but no more than five, years as a level one teacher or an alternative level one teacher, or a combination of the two, or is granted reciprocity as provided by department rules. An applicant for a level two license shall: (1) demonstrate essential competency required by the department as verified by the local superintendent through the highly objective uniform statewide standard of evaluation; and (2) meet other qualifications as required by the department. C. The department shall provide for qualifications for specific grade levels, types and subject areas of level two licensure, including early childhood, elementary, middle, secondary, special and vocational education. D. The minimum salary for a level two teacher is sixty-five thousand dollars ($65,000) for a standard nine and one-half month contract; provided that teachers in an extended learning time program or K-12 plus program shall receive additional salary at the same rate as their base salary for that teaching time.