1. (1) The legislature finds and affirms that, pursuant to 20-9-309, the definition of "a basic system of free quality public elementary and secondary schools" requires the recruitment and retention of qualified and effective teachers.
2. (2) The legislature finds and declares that the provision of and participation in a teacher residency program is constitutionally compliant and protected. The legislature declares that any public or private regulation that discriminates against a school district or an undergraduate student participating in a teacher residency program is inconsistent with constitutional goals and guarantees under Article X of the Montana constitution.

3. (3) The legislature intends that the teacher residency program be implemented in a collaborative and efficient manner among the various partnering entities and in a manner that results in teachers who participate in the program being:

   1. (a) better prepared to teach effectively in the years following the program; and
   2. (b) more inclined to remain in the teaching profession longer, especially in rural schools and high-need content areas.

History: En. Sec. 1, Ch. 545, L. 2023.