Senate amendment makes the following changes to the 4th edition.

Further amends GS 115C-269.35(a) regarding performance standards for educator preparation programs (EPPs) the State Board of Education (State Board) must establish. Eliminates the proposed requirement that the standards include the two-year retention rate for individuals who completed an EPP and became initially licensed and employed in an NC public school; maintains the proposed elimination of the requirement that the standards include the quality of students entering the EPP. Makes conforming changes. Further amends GS 115C-269.35(b)(11) regarding annual performance reports of EPPs, to more specifically require the reports to include the retention of beginning educators in the profession for at least two years after licensure in the state (previously, did not specify NC licensure). Makes changes to retain the requirement for the State Board to annually provide this data on beginning educators specified in subsection (b)(11) upon request (previously, eliminated). Clarifies that the proposed changes apply to reports submitted by the State Board and reviews by the State Board beginning with those based on data from the 2019-20 academic year (was, beginning with the 2019-20 academic year).

Requires the State Board to study the inclusion as a performance measure for EPPs the two-year retention rate for individuals who completed the EPP and became initially licensed and employed in an NC public school. Requires the State Board to consult with the Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission and report to the specified NCGA committee by February 15, 2020. Explicitly prohibits the State Board from implementing the two-year retention rate as a performance measure without express legislative authorization.