(a) State Board approval. –

(1) The State Board shall approve a partnership's application to operate an alternative program for classroom teachers if the State Board determines that the proposed alternative program, in all material respects, complies or will comply with the State Board's applicable alternative program rules and with the requirements of sections one-b, one-c of this article.

(2) The State Board shall approve a partnership's application to operate an alternative program for a highly qualified special education teacher if the State Board determines that the proposed alternative program, in all material respects, complies or will comply with the State Board's applicable alternative program rules and with the requirements of section one-g of this article.

(3) The State Board shall approve a partnership's application to operate an alternative program to prepare highly qualified special education teachers if the State Board determines that the proposed alternative program, in all material respects, complies or will comply with the State Board's applicable alternative program rules and with the requirements of section one-h of this article.

(b) Prohibited acts. –

(1) A partnership may not implement an alternative program until the partnership's alternative program has been approved by the State Board.

(2) A school or school district may not employ, or make a formal offer of employment to, any person for the purpose of his or her participation in an alternative program unless the alternative program is approved by the State Board and the school or school district is a member of the partnership that is operating the alternative program.

(3) A school or school district may not continue to employ an alternative program teacher unless he or she makes satisfactory progress in the alternative program for which he or she is employed.