Conference report makes the following changes to the 5th edition.

Amends proposed GS 115C-268.1 (Professional Educator Preparation and Standards Commission). Reduces the membership of the Commission from 19 to 18, and amends seat designations as follows: replaces the seats appointed at the recommendation of the President Pro Tem. of the Senate, designated for (1) an elementary school teacher and (2) a middle or high school teacher with seats for (1) a dean, or dean's designee, of an educator preparation program at a historically black college or university in the State and (2) a teacher. Replaces the two seats appointed at the recommendation of the Speaker of the House, designated for (1) an elementary school teacher and (2) a middle or high school teacher, with one seat designated for a teacher.

Makes a technical change to proposed GS 115C-268.5 (Powers and duties of the Commission).

Amends proposed GS 115C-269.25 (Clinical partnerships and practice in educator preparation programs). Deletes the listed standards for clinical educators who supervise students in residencies. Applies the listed standards for clinical educators who supervise students in internships to clinical educators and clinical mentors who supervise students in internships and residencies.

Deletes the provision directing the State Board of Education to establish a three-year Educator Preparation Pilot Program.

Directs the Superintendent of Public Instruction to develop a program to publicly recognize individuals who have engaged in at least 40 years of licensed teaching in North Carolina. Beginning in the 2017-18 school year and annually thereafter, the program shall include public recognition of any qualifying teachers.