§6–125.

    (a)    (1)    The Department shall determine whether the Basic Literacy Skills test required for initial teacher certification is at least as rigorous as the similar examination administered by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

        (2)    If the Department determines the Basic Literacy Skills test is insufficient under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the Department shall develop a new literacy examination of sufficient rigor.

        (3)    The Department may not limit the number of times an individual may take the literacy examination developed under this subsection in order to pass.

    (b)    (1)    (i)    Beginning after the implementation of the literacy examination under subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall develop and administer challenging, subject–specific examinations tailored to the subjects and grade level at which teachers will teach.

            (ii)    Subject–specific examinations shall be at least as rigorous as similar examinations administered in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

            (iii)    The Department may not limit the number of times an individual may take a subject–specific examination to pass the examination.

        (2)    Before a subject–specific examination developed under paragraph (1) of this subsection is administered, the Department shall develop standards for the subject–specific examination and submit the standards to each Department–approved teacher preparation program 1 year before the first year in which the examination is expected to be administered.

        (3)    A teacher preparation program with standards for a subject–specific examination developed by the Department under paragraph (2) of this subsection shall incorporate the standards into the curriculum of the teacher preparation program in a timely manner.