HSB718: Practitioner Preparation Program Requirements

Requires, beginning July 1, 2027, that higher education institutions providing practitioner preparation programs remove all instruction, training, or frameworks in required coursework, practicums, seminars, or assessments that include or derive from diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) theories or practices, multiculturalism as a classroom management framework, or social and emotional learning (SEL) or behavior conditioning models. It also prohibits institutions from using these concepts to require, promote, or assess student competencies. The bill mandates these programs instead include explicit, skills-based training in firm, authority-centered classroom management and historical/traditional approaches. The State Board of Education must adopt rules requiring compliance review and notification by the Director of Education, with a 12-month remediation period for noncompliance before program approval may be rescinded.

Key Points & Impacts:

• Prohibits, beginning July 1, 2027, the inclusion of DEI theories/practices, multiculturalism as a management framework, and SEL in required practitioner preparation program content or assessments.

• Defines 'diversity, equity, and inclusion,' 'multiculturalism,' and 'social and emotional learning' for purposes of compliance.

• Mandates that higher education institutions do not require, promote, or assess student competencies using prohibited concepts.

• Requires programs to include explicit, skills-based training in firm, consistent, authority-centered classroom management practices (e.g., clear rules, assertive discipline, immediate correction of behavior, structured routines).

• Mandates training in historical or traditional classroom management approaches emphasizing teacher authority, order, discipline, and minimal behavioral ambiguity; may include pre-1990 models if compliant with law.

• Directs the State Board to adopt rules, by July 1, 2027, for Director of Education compliance review of practitioner preparation programs regarding new requirements, including notification to the institution and board.

• Institutions found noncompliant have 12 months to address deficiencies before the board must rescind program approval if compliance is not achieved.

• Applies to students admitted to practitioner preparation programs on or after July 1, 2027.