(a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year thereafter, the Department of Education shall establish an educator apprenticeship initiative that enables students enrolled in an educator preparation program, residency program or alternate route to certification program to gain classroom teaching experience while working toward becoming full-time, certified teachers upon successful completion of such programs under the educator apprenticeship initiative. The department shall seek certification from the Labor Department for the educator apprenticeship initiative for purposes of leveraging federal grants and funding.

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(b) The Commissioner of Education shall develop (1) participation guidelines for those educator preparation programs, residency programs and alternate route to certification programs included under the educator apprenticeship initiative, (2) administration guidelines for the implementation of the educator apprenticeship initiative that are consistent with federal laws and regulations, and (3) compensation levels for students enrolled in such educator preparation programs, residency programs and alternate route to certification programs included under the educator apprenticeship initiative.

(c) The Commissioner of Education may permit a person enrolled in a residency program to participate in the educator apprenticeship initiative upon the request of the superintendent in whose school district such person is employed or assigned as part of such residency program. Upon successful completion of such residency program and with the recommendation of such superintendent, the State Board of Education shall issue an initial educator certificate to such person and such person shall not be required to complete the examination requirements set forth in section 10-145f.