Section 14.20.023 - Limited language immersion teacher certificates(a) Notwithstanding AS 14.20.020 (b), the department may issue a limited language immersion teacher certificate, valid only in the area of expertise for which it is issued, to a person qualified under (b) of this section to teach any subject if the language of instruction is not English and the instruction is provided only to students who are enrolled in a language immersion program.(b) A person may apply for a limited language immersion teacher certificate under this section if the person is the subject of a request made under (c) of this section and demonstrates, as required by regulations adopted by the board, instructional skills and subject matter expertise sufficient to assure the public that the person is competent as a teacher. The board may require a person issued a limited language immersion teacher certificate under this section to undertake academic training as may be required by the board by regulation and make satisfactory progress in the academic training.(c) The department may issue a limited language immersion teacher certificate under this section if the school board of the district or regional educational attendance area in which an applicant for a limited language immersion teacher certificate will be teaching submits a request to the department for the limited language immersion teacher certificate to be issued to the applicant. A request for a limited language immersion teacher certificate under this section must specify the school district or regional educational attendance area, subject, and instructional language for which the certificate is valid.(d) The board may adopt regulations necessary to implement this section. The regulations may not require an applicant for a limited language immersion teacher certificate under this section to achieve a minimum score on an examination unless the examination is given in the instructional language for which the certificate is valid.(e) A limited language immersion teacher certificate issued under this section is initially valid for one year. The department may, in accordance with regulations adopted by the board, extend or renew a limited language immersion teacher certificate issued to a person under this section if the school board of the district or regional educational attendance area in which the person is or will be teaching requests that the certificate be extended or renewed and certifies that the person has demonstrated skills in classroom instruction and student assessment.Added by SLA 2022, ch. 73,sec. 1, eff. 12/15/2022.