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Ways and Means hears AB 286, permissive pilot to assess teacher competency without Praxis pass
Summary
AB 286 would authorize pilot programs at NSHE institutions to assess teacher licensure applicants through alternative evaluations; a satisfactorily completed pilot could substitute for a required Praxis subtest pass for initial licensure.
Assemblymember Torres Fossett presented AB 286, the “Teaching Beyond Testing Act,” which allows Nevada System of Higher Education (NSHE) institutions to create pilot programs to assess teacher‑licensure applicants through alternative competency assessments. If an applicant satisfactorily completes an approved pilot, the Commission on Professional Standards in Education could not require passing score results on the Principles of Learning and Teaching (PLT) portion of the Praxis exam as a condition for an initial license; similarly, the Department of Education would remove a provisional‑license requirement for passing that particular competency test when an applicant completes the program.
NSHE representatives told the committee participation would be permissive and that institutions could run pilots within existing resources; the sponsor said appropriation language was removed and the bill is permissive. Committee staff noted a reprint included a fiscal note from NDE for minor implementation costs (reported as $6,250 for FY 26–27 in committee discussion), and presenters stated the appropriation in the original bill had been removed.
Why it matters: The bill would create alternative pathways for prospective teachers to show competency without requiring passing scores on a specified Praxis subtest, if they complete an approved institutional pilot, potentially affecting licensure pathways.
Discussion vs. decision: The committee held a policy and fiscal hearing; NSHE representatives said no new resources would be required unless institutions chose to do so. No committee vote was recorded during this session; the hearing closed.
Ending: The bill remains in committee; the sponsor and NSHE will continue discussions about pilot design and reporting.
