Regulatory Implementing Order
Regulation 301 General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel
I. Summary Of The Evidence And Information Submitted
The Professional Standards Board, acting in cooperation and consultation with the Department of Education, seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend regulation 301 General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel by deleting it in its entirety and replacing it with regulations 1505 Professional Growth Programs, 1510 Initial License, 1513 Denial of License, 1514 Revocation of License, 1515 Emergency Certificate, 1516 Standard Certificate, 1519 Alternative Routes to Certification, and 1520 Substitute Teacher. Regulations 1511 Issuance and Renewal of Continuing License and 1584 Permits also contain matters that were addressed in 301, thereby rendering those sections of 301 General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel redundant. It is necessary to amend this regulation in order to comply with changes in statute regarding the licensure and certification of educators. Additional changes in statute, enacted after the initial publication of this regulation, necessitated further amendments to the regulation. Those amendments made since the original publication of this regulation in the February, 2003 Register of Regulations were made to address additional changes in statute. Changes in the proposed amended regulations have also been made in response to comments received from the Department of Education. 1520 Substitute Teacher has been amended by deleting it in its entirety and reserving the number for future development. The regulation has been reconstituted as separate regulations which address the matters previously regulated in 301, but which comply with recent changes in statute. The reconstituted regulations, listed below, have also been renumbered to reflect their movement to the Professional Standards Board section of the Department regulations. The effective date of regulation 1505 has been changed to reflect changes enacted in the FY ‘04 State budget. The definition of “student teaching program” in regulation 1510 has been clarified. This clarification does not constitute a substantive change.
1505 Professional Growth Programs
1510 Initial License
1513 Denial of License
1514 Revocation of License
1515 Emergency Certificate
1516 Standard Certificate
1519 Alternate Routes to Certification
1520 Reserved
The existing 301 General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel are affected by the amended regulations in the ways indicated in the column on the right, below:
1.0 Definitions |
Incorporated in reconstituted regulations |
2.0 Current Licenses, Certificates and Permits |
1511 Issuance and Renewal of Continuing License, 1584 Permits |
2.7.2 Substitute Teacher |
1520 Substitute Teacher |
3.0 Testing Requirements |
1510 Initial License |
4.0 Application for Initial License |
1510 Initial License |
4.7 Denial of License |
1513 Denial of License |
5.0 Renewal of Licenses |
1511 Issuance and Renewal of Continuing License |
6.0 Licensure Agreements/Reciprocity |
1510 Initial License, 1511 Issuance and Renewal of Continuing License |
7.0 Revocation of Licenses/Certification |
1514 Revocation of License |
8.0 Denial of License/Certifications |
1513 Denial of License |
9.0 Professional Growth Programs |
1505 Professional Growth Programs stricken by change in statute |
10.0 Certification/National Board of Professional Teaching Standards |
|
11.0 Alternative Routes to Certification Program for Secondary Teachers |
1519 Alternative Routes to Certification |
Notice of the proposed adoption of the regulation was published in the News Journal and the Delaware State News on May 21, 2003, in the form hereto attached as Exhibit “A”. The notice invited written comments. Comments were received from the Department of Education and others and suggested changes have been incorporated into the proposed amendment
II. Findings Of Facts
The Professional Standards Board and the State Board of Education find that it is appropriate to amend this regulation to comply with changes in statute regarding the licensure and certification of educators.
The Professional Standards Board and the State Board of Education also note that more changes to Regulation 301 are anticipated as other parts of Title 14 of the Delaware Code become effective. Specifically, for example, §1305(q) of Title 14 now becomes effective in fiscal year 2004. This law imposes new requirements for increases in salary due to movement across the salary schedule for teachers and others. The Boards recognize that the subsection of Regulation 301 addressing “Professional Growth Programs” must be further amended to meet the requirements of §1305(q). It is being readopted at this time to accommodate the delayed effective date of that law.
III. Decision To Adopt The Regulation
For the foregoing reasons, the Professional Standards Board and the State Board of Education conclude that it is appropriate to amend the regulation. Therefore, pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1205(b), the regulation attached hereto as Exhibit “B” is hereby amended. Pursuant to the provision of 14 Del. C. § 122(e), the regulation hereby amended shall be in effect for a period of five years from the effective date of this order as set forth in Section V. below.
IV. Text And Citation
The text of the regulations adopted shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B”, and said regulations shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code § 301, §1510, §1513, and §1514 in the Regulations of the Department of Education.
V. Effective Date Of Order
The effective date of this Order shall be ten (10) days from the date this Order is published in the Delaware Register of Regulations.
Approved By The Professional Standards Board The 10th Day Of July, 2003.
Harold Roberts, Chair Sharon Brittingham
Heath Chasanov Patricia Clements
Edward Czerwinski Karen Gordon
Barbara Grogg Bruce Harter
Leslie Holden Carla Lawson
Mary Mirabeau John Pallace
Karen Schilling Ross Carol Vukelich
Geraldine A. Williams
FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:
Valerie A. Woodruff, Secretary of Education
IT IS SO ORDERED this 19th day of July, 2003.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
Dr. Joseph A. Pika, President
Jean W. Allen, Vice President
Richard M. Farmer, Jr.
Mary B. Graham, Esquire
Valarie Pepper
Dennis J. Savage
Dr. Claibourne D. Smith
301 General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel
1.0 Definitions of terms
Credential Evaluation for Licensure through Transcript Analysis: A process through which persons who have not graduated from a state approved teacher education program in a specific field may obtain a Standard license in Delaware. Official college/university transcripts shall be submitted to the Department of Education where they are audited for compliance with licensure requirements for the specific field.
Evaluation/Prescription Letter: A letter issued by Department of Education after the evaluation of an individual's college transcripts and other official documents. This letter lists any deficiencies that need to be met related to specific requirements for licensure in Delaware, as stated in this Manual. The letter may include deficiencies, such as coursework, test scores, experience verification and/or may state other specifics which need to be met for Standard licensure.
Initial Standard Certificate: A license that was issued in Delaware from 1982 through 1991. Issuance of this license indicates the individual met all requirements current during that time period for a specific area of licensure. In addition, the qualifying scores for the Pre-Professional Skills Tests were met before the Initial Standard Certificate was issued. This license had a validity period of five years, after which the license was converted to a Standard license, upon documentation of appropriate employment or coursework. (See Refresher Coursework and Recency Requirement) Expired Initial Standard licenses may be renewed as Standard licenses in the same content area provided refresher requirements are met.
Internship: One year of supervised, full time, successful experience in a setting appropriate to the area of licensure. An Internship may be sponsored by a college or university in conjunction with a particular set of program requirements; or it may be sponsored locally through employment by a district and in conjunction with the Department of Education.
Interstate Certification Agreement (ICA): A formal contract signed by individual member states of NASDTEC, in pairs, specifying the parameters of reciprocity. The Interstate Agreement is a binding, legal agreement/contract between two states. The states agree to accept teachers from programs approved under NASDTEC Standards as well as fully licensed, experienced personnel. The NASDTEC organization facilitates the signing of the agreement through an arm called the Interstate Contract Association. Reciprocity established in this manner operates under specific conditions that are clearly defined by the Interstate Agreement.
Licensure Via Approved Program: A process for acquiring a teaching license in Delaware and other NASDTEC states that requires graduating from a state-approved teacher education program and meeting specific testing requirements set by the Delaware State Board of Education. Individuals who receive a Standard license in Delaware based on an approved program are eligible for reciprocity with other states. Each state has its own individual set of testing requirements which the candidate must meet.
Limited Standard License: A license that is issued to an individual who is employed in a Delaware public school setting, but does not meet all of the requirements for Standard licensure in the area(s) of employment. It may be issued for a period of between one and six years. No salary reduction is required. This license is nonrenewable.
NASDTEC: National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification, a national organization of State Department certification personnel and Standards Boards members who have the responsibility for state certification and program approval. This organization has developed and adopted a set of Standards which is used by each member state, in as much as possible. These Standards form the basis for the Reciprocity Agreement.
NCATE: National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education: One of two national accrediting bodies approved by the United States Department of Education. NCATE accreditation is voluntary in Delaware. Colleges/Universities apply to NCATE seeking to have both the education unit of the college/university and specific education programs given national recognition. Each program must still be approved by that state's Department of Education in order to have students graduating from such programs receive licensure in that state.
Occupational/Vocational Testing: The testing in the vocational field is a performance test in a particular trade given under strict guidelines. The National Occupational and Career Testing Institute (NOCTI) is the only vocational test available that allows an individual to demonstrate skill competency in a trade such as welding or plumbing. The NOCTI organization designs the competency tests and trains staff at institutional settings to administer the NOCTI examinations under specific standardized conditions. As the NTE is used to validate certain aspects of teaching, the NOCTI is used to validate certain skills in vocational trade areas.
Partial Assignment: A teaching assignment that is for no more than two periods per day for a one-year period only. The individual who is given a partial assignment shall have previously taken at least fifteen semester hours of coursework in the content area of the partial assignment. The intent of the partial assignment is to meet specific emergency needs a district might encounter on a short term basis, for example, an enrollment bulge. If the district's situation warrants that the teacher remain in this assignment after the initial one year period, the teacher will be granted a Limited Standard license, allowing three additional years to meet all of the requirements for Standard licensure.
Permits: Permits are given for specific positions within the local school districts that do not require a Bachelor's degree, the PRAXIS I tests or a Standard license. Permits are currently given to aides of all types and substitute teachers.
Processing Fee: A nonrefundable, one-time fee that shall accompany all applications for initial Delaware certification for each evaluation requested.
Professional and Occupational Licenses: Certain noneducational fields require State of Delaware licenses to practice. These fields include Electricians, Plumbers, Cosmetologists, etc. as well as Nurses, Speech Pathologists, Physicians and others. If an individual works in a school setting and a State license is required for practice in Delaware, it is also required for the education position and for the licensure/certification of that individual. For example, all School Nurses must meet specific coursework and degree requirements for their educational position. In addition, they are required to maintain their State of Delaware license and continue its renewal according to Nursing Board requirements for continuing education.
Professional Status Certificate: A certificate that is issued after an individual has met all requirements for Standard licensure in a specific area and has been employed in a Delaware public school in that same area for three consecutive years. It is issued for a five-year period. The renewal of this certificate is a function of continued employment in a public school for three years out of each five-year renewal period.
Provisional License: A substandard license that required a 10% reduction in salary. It has not been issued since 7/1/91 and is no longer a valid Delaware license.
Recency Requirement: A requirement for either 6 semester hours of appropriate coursework or appropriate full time employment within the five year period immediately preceding application or evaluation for licensure. Recency requirements are as indicated: (1) the applicant's Bachelor's degree shall be conferred within the most recent five-year period; or (2) the applicant shall have completed appropriate college-level coursework within the most recent five-year period; or (3) the applicant shall have been employed in a full time position, in the area of licensure request, for three years during the most recent five year period.
Reciprocity: A process whereby an individual with a license or certificate issued by one state can receive an equivalent license in another state without meeting additional coursework requirements. Other nonacademic requirements such as professional work experience or testing may still be required for the license. The process operates under a very specific set of previously agreed upon rules between the two states.
Refresher Coursework: Six semester hours of college-level coursework, taken either at the Bachelor's or Master's level from a regionally accredited institution, is required to meet the Recency Requirement for licensure. Coursework shall include one professional education elective and one elective in the specific content area of licensure. This coursework is required only if the applicant is unable to meet Delaware's Recency Requirement.
Revocation of License/Certificate/Permit: Revocation is the process of rescinding a Delaware license/certificate/permit for reasons of immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty or disloyalty. Revocation may be considered at the request of a local school district or initiated by the Secretary of Education.
Specialized Assignment License: An assignment that is deemed necessary by a local public school district but for which no specific requirements for licensure exist is termed a Specialized Assignment. The license is issued on the basis of a job description for the position. A Standard License will be issued to an employed individual who meets all the qualifications of the job description, including passing PRAXIS I scores. A Limited Standard license will be issued if any requirements or qualifications are not met and can be attained. A Temporary License shall be issued when the person hired does not meet the job description for the position. Any certificate issued for a Specialized Assignment is valid only for the specific position for which it was issued. The certificate is not valid for use in another position, another district, or another state.
Standard License: A license issued when an individual has met all requirements for a specific area of licensure, including the testing requirement. It is issued for an indefinite period of time except within the Delaware public school setting, where it is current for a five year period. This license can only be renewed when the individual is currently working in a public school setting or other setting for which it is required by the State of Delaware, such as the correctional system.
Temporary License: A one-year nonrenewable license issued to a district employee who meets neither the Standard nor Limited Standard requirements for a specific Delaware license and who is hired after August 15th of that school year. A 10% salary reduction is required. This license is a one year, nonrenewable license and can be issued only one time to the same individual in the same area of licensure. Unless the individual holds a Standard license in another area, they are not eligible for a salary increment.
2.0 Current Licenses, Certificates and Permits
2.1 Professional Status Certificate: The Professional Status certificate shall be issued to personnel employed in areas which require at least a baccalaureate degree for full certification, as well as to individuals who hold Standard Trade and Industry licenses. Thus, this license will be available to superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors, administrative assistants, supervisors, principals, assistant principals, teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, school nurses and other personnel who must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree for full certification.
2.1.1 This license shall be issued to persons who meet the requirements for a Standard license and who have been employed by a Delaware public school system for three (3) consecutive years of the previous five (5) years in the type of position for which the certificate is appropriate. The certificate shall be issued for a period of five (5) fiscal years.
2.2 Standard License: The Standard License shall be issued to personnel employed in areas which require at least a baccalaureate degree for full certification, as well as to individuals who meet all requirements for Trade and Industry licenses. Thus, this license will be available to superintendents, assistant superintendents, directors, administrative assistants, supervisors, principals, assistant principals, teachers, librarians, guidance counselors, school nurses and other personnel who must have a minimum of a bachelor's degree for full certification.
2.2.1 The Standard license shall be issued upon completion of all requirements in a single area of licensure, along with successful completion of the State of Delaware's requirement for testing 3.0, for a period of five (5) years.
2.2.2 The Standard license shall be issued to the following categories of employees which do not require a baccalaureate degree for full licensure, and/or which do not require successful completion of the State of Delaware's testing requirements (3.3): Manager of School Food Service Programs, Transportation Manager, Administrative Support Personnel, formerly Educational Secretaries. The issuance of this license shall not affect either the salary paid or the negotiating rights of individuals as currently specified in the Del. C.
2.2.3 The Standard license shall be issued to an employee of a Delaware public school district who has been employed in a Specialized Assignment, for which no specific requirements are defined, and who possesses the competencies and skills required for the special assignment (example: museum curator, laboratory technician, coordinator, etc.). The employee's credentials, including evidence of the skills and competencies stated in the job description and posting, will be collected by the employing district and sent to the State Certification Office along with a copy of the job description and the qualifications posted for the position. A determination regarding licensure will be made by the State Office of Certification. The state testing requirement for teacher licensure shall be met for this position.
2.2.3.1 A Standard Endorsement requires a Standard license as well as specific requirements defined under the individual licensure requirements.
2.3 Limited Standard License-Non-Renewable (Substandard): The Limited Standard license may be issued for a period of one (1) to six (6) years depending on circumstances defined below. The Limited Standard license carries no salary penalty and is nonrenewable. This license shall not be issued at the request of an individual. It is issued to employees of a public school district or other state agency requiring certified educational personnel, upon the request of the personnel designee of the organization, if the employee has not fully satisfied the requirements for a Standard license and one or more of the following conditions shall apply:
2.3.1 Limited Standard- Test (LS- T) Issued for a period not to exceed two (2) fiscal years to persons who have not, as yet, satisfied the State Board of Education testing requirement.
2.3.1.1 The local school district superintendent shall request that this license be issued to a new employee who has not been previously employed in a Delaware public school district, and who has not shown evidence of satisfactory performance on the PRAXIS I/PPST. The effective date for this nonrenewable license shall be July 1 of the year in which the employment began and the expiration date shall be June 30 of the next, consecutive fiscal year.
2.3.2 Limited Standard Coursework (LS-C) Issued for a period of up to three (3) fiscal years to a public school employee who is lacking no more than twelve (12) graduate or undergraduate college level semester hours and who has successfully met all testing requirements. A Limited Standard- Coursework license may be issued to:
2.3.2.1 An employee who meets all course requirements for a Standard license, but who has been out of college five (5) years or more. Six (6) semester hours of college level coursework will be required to be taken during the life of the Limited Standard license, or prior to the issuance of the Standard license (see 5.7), or
2.3.2.2 An employee who holds an expired Initial Standard, Standard or Professional Status license/certificate, but who has not taught on that license for at least three (3) years during the most recent five-year period (see 5.7). Six (6) semester hours of college level coursework will be required of such an applicant for renewal of the Standard license or an employee who meets the requirements for the Limited Standard;
2.3.2.3 An employee who is reassigned to continue for more than one (1) year in a partial assignment (see 2.6). At that point, the employee shall have three (3) years to complete all the specific requirements for licensure in the area of the partial assignment, regardless of the number of credits needed. Said employee shall hold a current, valid, Standard license in another, similar-related content area
2.3.3 Limited Standard-Vocational (LS-V) May be issued for a period of up to six (6) years for employees who need more than sixty 60) semester hours of college level course work and who are required to satisfy the state's testing requirement within that six (6) year period.
2.3.4 Limited Standard - Shortage/Critical Need (LS-S) May be issued for up to three (3) years in areas of shortage designated annually by the State Department of Education. Requirements are established in accordance with areas of need by the State Office of Certification, as approved by the Secretary and the State Board of Education. In this instance, the license may be issued to an employee who has at least a Bachelor's degree with a major in the subject area identified as being an area of critical shortage.
2.3.5 Limited Standard - Internship (LS-I) May be issued for a period of one (1) year for employees who meet all requirements for a Standard license other than student teaching or an internship requirement; and/or who have been accepted to participate in an approved Internship program; and/ or are teaching through a special program. A Limited Standard Internship license may be issued to an employee who is:
2.3.5.1 An exchange teacher from a foreign country or a teacher in an exchange program between states or schools or institutions of higher education and/or state education agencies within the United States or
2.3.5.2 A teacher from a foreign country who holds a valid certificate/license from that country and a degree equivalent to a Bachelor's degree as defined in the United States; or
2.3.5.3 A person employed by a Delaware public school district who will have the first year of employment used in lieu of student teaching or who is in the process of serving one year of supervised experience in order to meet an experience requirement stated for a specific license. Either case requires the prior approval of the State Office of Certification (see 4.5).
2.3.6 A teacher holding a Standard or Professional Status Certificate in either Elementary (grades 1-8) or Middle Level (grades 5-8) who is assigned to teach grade 7 and/or 8 math and/or science, regardless of the number of credits needed for full certification. During the term of the Limited Standard Certificate, the teacher shall complete the requirements for the Standard Certificate in the area(s) of the assignment. This regulation will be effective for three years from 7/1/98 through 6/30/2000.
2.4 Temporary License- Non-Renewable: Issued at the request of a local district superintendent under emergency conditions to a person who is unable to meet the licensure requirements at the Standard or Limited Standard level. This license classification carries a reduction in salary and shall not be requested prior to August 15 of any year. The Temporary license is a one-year, non-renewable license. Salary for an employee issued a Temporary license in an academic area shall be 10% less than the salary for an employee issued a Standard license with the same experience and salary level. Salary for a Temporary licensed person in an area of Trade & Industry shall be reduced by $400.00 from that of the Standard licensed person having the same experience and salary level. A Temporary license may be issued to an employee who meets one of the three situations listed below:
2.4.1 Academic (10% salary reduction)
2.4.1.1 A Non-degree employee for a regular teaching position who is currently engaged in pursuing a Bachelor's degree and who has completed all professional education requirements including student teaching, but who lacks no more than six (6) semester hours of credits for completion of the Bachelor's degree requirements or;
2.4.1.2 A non-degree employee for a regular teaching position who has completed no less than two (2) years of college training and who has no less than three (3) years of successful teaching experience; or
2.4.1.3 An employee who is a graduate of a nonaccredited college. No higher level license may be issued until the degree is validated (see 4.6.3).
2.4.2 A person whose credentials for any assignment do not meet Limited Standard licensure requirements. The 10% salary reduction will or will not be in effect as indicated below:
2.4.2.1 If the assignment in the area of Temporary licensure is a full daily schedule, then a 10% salary reduction is required.
2.4.2.2 If the assignment in the area of Temporary licensure is one-half or more of the full daily schedule, then a 10% salary reduction is required.
2.4.2.3 If the assignment in the area of Temporary licensure is less than half of the full daily schedule, and the individual has a Standard license in the primary area of assignment, then no reduction in salary is required
2.4.3 Trade and Industry ($400.00 salary reduction): A non-degree employee for a Trade and Industry teaching position who has less than six (6) years of work experience or two (2) years beyond the learning period in the trade or industrial occupation to be taught.
2.4.4 Special Situations
2.4.4.1 May be issued to any employed person who fails to meet the requirements for renewal of a Professional Status certificate, a Standard license, or the requirements specified under the Limited Standard license, provided the local district superintendent or designee chooses to make a written request for the Temporary license. Salary reduction will be based on whether the employee holds an Academic or Trade and Industry position; or
2.4.4.2 at the written request of the local district superintendent or designee to an employee who fails to meet the coursework requirements specified for a Standard or Limited Standard license within the period specified by that license. Such request shall not be made when an employee fails to meet the testing requirement within the time specified by the Limited Standard Test; or
2.4.4.3 to an individual at the specific written request of the employing local district superintendent to the Secretary of Education of the Department of Education, upon providing appropriate documentation as specified in 3.5.1.2.1 and 3.5.1.2.2.
2.5 Failure to Meet Requirements
2.5.1 An employee who accepts employment in a public school district and is licensed below the level of a Standard license (Limited Standard or Temporary), by accepting the position agrees that any deficiencies will be completed within the specified period of that license. Such licenses are non-renewable. Consequently, if the specific requirements stated for Standard licensure are not met when the license expires, the individual is without licensure in Delaware and may be terminated by the local school district (see 2.4).
2.6 Teaching Assignment Out of Licensed Area
2.6.1 When a written request is received from the local Superintendent prior to reassignment, a partial teaching assignment of no more than two (2) classes or class periods may be authorized for one (1) school year, if the person assigned the partial meets the following requirements:
2.6.1.1 Holds a current, valid Delaware Standard teaching license in a field other than that in which the partial assignment is to be made; and has at least fifteen (15) semester hours in the content area of the partial assignment.
2.6.2 If it is necessary to continue the partial assignment past the initial year, regardless of the coursework deficiency, the individual shall be placed on a Limited Standard license in that area. During the three (3) year period of the Limited Standard, all requirements for the Standard license shall be met.
2.7 Permits: Permits are issued for specific positions within the local school districts that do not require either a Bachelor's degree or the Test approved for licensure by the Delaware State Board of Education. Individuals who hold permits are not considered "certified professional employees of the public school system" as that phrase is used in 19 Delaware Code, Chapter 1301.
2.7.1 Aide: A permit shall be required for all persons employed either full time or part time as school or classroom aides with local, state, federal or other funds.
2.7.2 Substitute Teacher (Delaware Code, Title 14, §1230).
2.7.2.1 Class A: May be issued to an applicant who holds, or is eligible to hold a valid Standard Delaware teacher's license or such a certificate/license that has expired. The PPST is not required to hold this classification.
2.7.2.2 Class B: May be issued to an applicant with or without a bachelor's degree who meets at least the requirements for a Temporary license (see 2.0).
2.7.2.3 Class C: May be issued to an applicant who is not eligible for either Class A or Class B Permit, but who is recommended to the Secretary of Education by the superintendent of a Delaware public school district.
2.7.2.4 Class D: May be issued to an applicant who is eligible for or holds a Class A, B, or C permit, but who prefers on a given date to perform substitute teaching assignments as a volunteer worker, or at a wage rate to be determined by the Board of Education of the employing school district.
2.8 Provisions for Exceptions and Changes
2.8.1 An exception to the existing licensure/certification regulations may be made by the Secretary of Education at the request of the local chief school officer; or in the case of an exception for the chief school officer, by the president of the local board.
2.8.2 An annual report stating the number and type of exception requests, as well as the disposition of each exception, shall be sent to the State Board of Education at the end of each fiscal year beginning with Fiscal Year 1997.
2.8.3 In the event of the consolidation of school districts where reassignment of a certified personnel is necessary, the following rules shall apply:
2.8.3.1 Personnel shall be considered certified for the position to which assigned and a certificate issued.
2.8.3.2 Such certificate or certificates shall be valid in the consolidated district for the duration of the reassignment or subsequent assignments resulting from consolidation.
2.9 Effect of Changes in Rules and Regulations Adopted 7/1/93
2.9.1 State of Delaware Approved Programs: An individual attending a college/university in the State of Delaware and currently enrolled in a program approved by the State of Delaware prior to July 1993 shall not be affected by any of the changes adopted July 1, 1993, as specified in the General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel and the Specific Regulations of the same provided that he/she received the "Institutional Recommendation" of the college/university.
2.9.2 Evaluation for Licensure via Transcript Analysis: Individuals who have received a credential evaluation by transcript analysis that has resulted in evaluation/prescription letter(s) in their credential file at the Department of Education will have a period of time to complete the requirements stated in those respective letters, according to the following schedule:
2.9.2.1 All evaluation/prescription letters based on certification regulations adopted prior to the 1974 regulations shall become invalid on June 30, 1993. These individuals shall be required to meet the General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel and the Specific Regulations of the same as adopted for certification effective July 1, 1993.
2.9.2.2 All evaluation/prescription letters dated June 30, 1990 through June30, 1993 shall become invalid on June 30, 1996. Effective July 1, 1996 these individuals shall be required to meet the General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel and the Specific Regulations of the same as adopted for licensure effective July 1, 1993.
2.9.3 Individuals Employed and Certified on Substandard Certificates: An employee who has been issued a Delaware substandard certificate (Limited Standard, Provisional, Temporary) prior to July 1, 1993, shall continue on that certificate until the requirements specified are met or the certificate expires or the employee no longer occupies the position for which the certificate was issued. In that latter two cases, the employee shall be required to meet the July 1, 1993 regulations, if reassigned or reemployed at some later date, for a position requiring that same licensure.
3.0 Testing Requirements
3.1 Any applicant seeking initial licensure in Delaware shall provide the state Office of Certification with official test scores for one or more of the following tests of essential skills in Reading, Writing and Mathematics: The Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST) and/or The PRAXIS I Paper and Pencil Tests;- and/or The PRAXIS I Computer Based Tests.
3.2 Test Scores. (Revised May 1994)
3.2.1 The following minimum passing scores are required in the areas of Reading, Writing and Mathematics for each of the Tests of essential skills.
3.2.1.1 Pre-professional Skills Test Taken between 7/1/83 and 10/22/93 Reading - 175, Mathematics - 175, Writing - 172 and/or
3.2.1.2 PRAXIS I - Paper and Pencil Tests (Passed 7/94) (Tests taken on 10/23/93 and thereafter): Reading - 175, Mathematics - 174, Writing 173 and/or
3.2.1.3 PRAXIS I - Computer Based Tests (Passed 7/94) (Tests taken on 10/23/93 and thereafter): Reading - 322, Mathematics - 319, Writing 319
3.3 Testing Exemptions include individuals holding Delaware certificates issued prior to July 1, 1983 or having a completed file on record with the Office of Certification as of July 1, 1983 which resulted in an evaluation letter for a certificate/license that is currently in effect, are not required to take the PPST/ PRAXIS I. The exemption based on an evaluation letter prior to July 1, 1983 shall expire on 6/30/94, since letters of that date will become invalid after 6/30/94 (see 2.6.2).
3.3.1 In addition, the following licenses and/or permits do not require the PPST/PRAXIS I:
Manager of School Food Service Program
Supervisor of School Food Service Program
Transportation Manager
Supervisor of School Bus Transportation
Administrative Support (formerly Secretarial Personnel)
Interpreter Tutor for Hearing Impaired
Permit Substitute Teacher
Permit - Aides
3.4 Acceptable alternatives to the PRAXIS I test scores include:
3.4.1 Scores from the California Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) shall be in lieu of PPST/PRAXIS I scores under the following conditions:
3.4.1.1 The scores were required to receive a certificate/license in another state and the test was taken as a condition of meeting certification/licensure requirements in that state; and
3.4.1.2 The scores total 123, with at least 37 in each category; and.
3.4.1.3 Effective 7/1/96, the following test scores can be used to exempt an applicant for initial Delaware licensure from the corresponding portion of the PPST/ PRAXIS I: Effective 7/1/97- SAT Tests taken after 4/1/95 and presented for exemption must meet the score indicated due to a re-centering of the SAT.
3.4.1.4 Alternate Test And Score Praxis I Exemption
GRE Verbal 490 PRAXIS I Reading
SAT Verbal 480 PRAXIS I Reading
*SAT Verbal 560 PRAXIS I Reading
(After 4/1/95)
GRE Quantitative 540 PRAXIS I Mathematics
SAT Mathematics 520 PRAXIS I Mathematics
Mathematics
*SAT Mathematics 540 PRAXIS I Mathematics
(After 4/1/95)
NTE Core Battery:
Communications Skills 670 PRAXIS I Writing
3.5 Testing Timeline
3.5.1 Individuals may be hired in a Delaware public school district prior to having taken or passed the PPST/PRAXIS I. The employee has the period of time, from the date of hire to the end of the next, consecutive fiscal year to present passing PPST/PRAXIS I scores to the employing school district and the State Office of Certification, should employment remain continuous.
3.5.1.1 Any Standard Aptitude Test (SAT) scores and/or Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores and/or NTE Communication Skills scores intended to be used as an exemption for the PPST/PRAXIS I, shall be submitted within the same time line and scores should pre-date the employment date.
3.5.1.2 Once this period has expired, the individual will be without any valid Delaware license and employment may not be continued unless one of the following conditions is met:
3.5.1.2.1 Official documentation is provided to the Department of Education, Office of Certification, showing successful completion of all parts of the PPST/PRAXIS I OR
3.5.1.2.2 Based on documented effectiveness, the superintendent of a public school district may submit a written request to the Secretary of Education to grant a third/fourth year for an individual to successfully complete all parts of the PPST/PRAXIS I tests. The request shall include:
3.5.1.2.2.1 A letter from the individual's immediate supervisor attesting to the employee's effectiveness in the position; and copies of the employee's evaluations (Delaware Performance Appraisal System - 3 Formative and 1 Summative) from the current school year, which demonstrate effective performance.
3.5.1.2.3 If the extension is granted, the individual shall:
3.5.1.2.3.1 Be placed on a one-year Temporary License at a ten (10) percent reduction in state salary; and
3.5.1.2.3.2 By October 31 complete training in all parts of the PPST/PRAXIS I for which qualifying scores have not been attained, by using the Learning Plus computer tutorial package or other available training programs.
3.5.1.2.3.3 By December 31 take the PPST/PRAXIS I at least once; and twice during the third/fourth year of employment.
3.5.1.2.3.4 By January 31 the district shall verify the above to the Department of Education.
3.5.1.3 In the event that employment is terminated from a Delaware public school district prior to passing the PPST/PRAXIS I and prior to the end of the next consecutive fiscal year, an individual may be rehired and be granted the amount of time remaining on the original license, to meet the testing requirement. The total time the employee shall be employed, without demonstrating passing PPST/PRAXIS I scores, shall not exceed the amount of time from original date of hire to the end of the next, consecutive fiscal year, whether the employment remains continuous or not.
3.5.1.4 When employment is not involved, there is no time restriction for meeting the testing requirement; however, the test shall be taken prior to submitting an application for certification and the testing requirements may change.
3.5.2 PPST/PRAXIS I scores need not be passing to initiate the application process. Official scores that are passing shall be received prior to the issuance of any Standard license requiring the test (see 3.3 and 3.3.1).
3.5.3 There is no limit on the number of times an individual may take the PPST/PRAXIS I. Once passed, a section need not be taken again.
3.5.3.1 Passing scores in each area (Reading, Writing, Mathematics) may be attained in any testing format.
3.5.4 Presentation of Test Scores to the State Certification Office.
3.5.4.1 Test scores shall be official and Official scores are generally computer coded to the Department of Education at the test site, and are sent directly from Educational Testing Service to the Office of Certification.
3.5.4.2 Unopened, unaltered envelopes containing PPST/PRAXIS I scores that were sent to the individual may be accepted as official. The State Office of Certification, shall determine whether the scores are acceptable as presented.
3.5.4.3 If an individual cannot provide official scores as described above, the applicant may have an official set of scores sent to the State Office of Certification, directly, by contacting the Educational Testing Service. After five years, test scores are considered invalid by ETS and retesting is required as a means of providing official scores.
3.5.4.4 Direct verification from another State Department of Education shall be considered as official. An original of the grade form shall be forwarded directly from the other State Department to the Delaware Office of Certification. This method shall be used only when those avenues described in 3.5.4.1, 3.5.4.2, and 3.5.4.3 have been exhausted.
3.5.4.5 Acceptable means for providing Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) and Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores are:
3.5.4.5.1 Have scores sent directly from the Education Testing Service to the State Office of Certification.
3.5.4.5.2 Have an official college transcript forwarded directly to the State Office of Certification, if a particular institution lists SAT and/or GRE scores on its transcript.
3.5.4.5.3 Have high school transcript signed and sealed by the registrar and sent directly to the State Office of Certification, for SAT verification.
3.6 It shall be the responsibility of the individual employee/applicant to bear any/all costs related to testing/retesting, and the presentation of official scores to the State Office of Certification.
3.7 Department of Education Employees: All employees of the Department of Education hired after 7/94 shall pass PRAXIS I or provide equivalent scores from other acceptable assessments. These scores shall be presented to the State Office of Certification as official scores (see 3.5.4).
3.8 Certification Testing Data from Delaware Institutions of Higher Education with State Approved Teacher Education Programs.
3.8.1 The State Office of Certification shall receive the same certification testing information, data or reports that are provided to each institution of higher education having a State of Delaware approved program in education.
3.8.2 The request for such information shall be made directly to the Educational Testing Service or other testing vendor by the State Office of Certification only. Data or reports related to alternative test scores, SAT, GRE, and NET Core Battery, which can be used in Delaware for an exemption from specific portions of the PRAXIS I tests, shall also be provided upon request.
4.0 Application for Initial License
4.1 An applicant for initial licensure shall file an application with the State Office of Certification. The application shall be supported by official transcripts and other documentation that may be necessary to perform the credential evaluation. It shall be the responsibility of the applicant to provide the necessary documentation in an appropriate official form. Any and all costs related to providing appropriate documentation shall be the responsibility of the applicant.
4.2 Credentials for Application
4.2.1 All documentation to support an application request for licensure shall be official. Transcripts shall be signed and sealed by the college/university registrar. If presented in a sealed, unaltered envelope to the Office of Certification, transcripts stamped with "Issued to the Student" are considered official. The Office of Certification shall determine, solely, whether a transcript or other document is official.
4.2.2 All other documentation shall be originals, unless otherwise specified in the Application Packet.
4.2.3 Test scores shall be received directly from the Educational Testing Service; or be otherwise official (see 3.5.4).
4.2.4 Credentials required for application, if employed or non-employed, are the same, they shall include:
4.2.4.1 Application for Certification Form.
4.2.4.2 Official transcripts of all institutions listed on Application for Certification Form at the time of application for initial licensure.
4.2.4.3 Institutional Recommendation/Verification of Approved Program.
4.2.4.4 Official PPST/PRAXIS I scores. If not employed in a public school district at the time of initial application, official PPST/PRAXIS I scores are required to apply for an initial evaluation for licensure. Individuals who are employed in the Delaware public school system have a period of time to submit passing scores (see 3.5).
4.2.4.5 Nonresident processing fee (nonrefundable), if applicable.
4.2.4.6 Experience verification, when applicable.
4.2.4.7 Copy of out-of-state certificates/licenses.
4.3 Receipt of Credentials for Persons Employed in the Delaware Public School System.
4.3.1 All credentials for licensure other than PPST/PRAXIS I scores (where applicable) should be received in the State Office of Certification, prior to employment. If this is not possible, then the credentials shall be received no later than two (2) months from the date of employment. Under these circumstances, it is the responsibility of the district, before employment, to determine that the person is eligible to be certified for the position.
4.3.2 If a complete credential file has not been received by the State Office of Certification, within two (2) months of the employment date, the applicant shall be paid at the rate of a substitute teacher until required documentation for licensure has been received. Under extenuating circumstances, the district may make a written request for a waiver.
4.3.3 Upon receipt of the appropriate credentials and evaluation for license, the individual's salary level, based on verified degree, experience, military service, and type of license shall be determined, and shall be made retroactive to the date of employment.
4.4 Recency of Coursework
4.4.1 If an applicant's Bachelor's degree has not been conferred within the most recent five-year period; or if the applicant has not completed appropriate college-level coursework within the most recent five-year period from the date of evaluation for licensure or 3 years of full time experience in the area of the license during the last 5 years, then six (6) semester hours of refresher coursework may be necessary, even if all other requirements are satisfied (see 5.7). Refresher coursework shall be taken in a regionally accredited college or university. All courses shall meet the approval of the Office of Certification. Inservice coursework is not appropriate to meet the recency requirement.
4.5 Student Teaching
4.5.1 Successful student teaching at the appropriate level under the supervision of an accredited teacher preparation institution shall be required for all standard licenses, with the exception of the process described below:
4.5.1.1 In lieu of student teaching, one (1) year of full-time, successful elementary, secondary school, or appropriate college/university sponsored internship training in Delaware, under supervision, and given prior approval by the State Office of Certification may be substituted. This regulation shall not be used until the individual has met all other requirements, leaving student teaching as the sole remaining requirement to be met for Standard licensure.
4.5.1.2 In lieu of student teaching, the six (6) semester hour student teaching requirement shall be met via a year of experience, as approved by the State Office of Certification, and six (6) additional elective semester hours in professional education in the area of licensure or any area designated by the employing school district and approved by the State Office of Certification.
4.5.1.2.1 The State Office of Certification must give prior approval to this year of experience. The one (1) year of experience shall be served at the same level or in the same content area as required for that license (K-4, elementary 1-8, secondary 7-12, Special Education, Math, English, etc.). Experience served before approval is obtained from the State Office of Certification is not appropriate to meet this requirement.
4.5.1.2.2 Private school experience in lieu of student teaching shall be served in a regionally accredited/regularly organized private school. An appropriate evaluation system, that is equivalent to the Delaware Performance Appraisal System, shall be in force in order for the private setting to qualify as an approved site. A private school is not required to participate in this process. It is voluntary and is a service to the applicant for Delaware licensure. Private school experience served before approval is obtained from the State Office of Certification is not appropriate to meet this requirement.
4.5.1.2.3 An applicant who did not attain an undergraduate index sufficient for eligibility for student teaching at the appropriate level; or an applicant who, for some other reason, was denied permission by the college to engage in this experience; may not be certified to teach in Delaware until the restriction is removed by the college. This individual shall meet the Specific Requirements for the area of licensure sought, since the approved program recommendation is not available.
4.6 Other Considerations for Initial Licensure
4.6.1 Foreign Credentials
4.6.1.1 Applicants with study outside the United States who are not employed in the Delaware public school system should submit academic credentials either in the original or in legible certified reproductions. An analysis of the degree equivalency is required. The State Office of Certification has no staff trained in foreign credential analysis. For this reason, the individual shall submit credentials to an approved consulting firm specializing in foreign credential analysis/translation. An official translation/evaluation accompanying the original shall be required. The translation/evaluation will assist the Office of Certification in determining the applicant's licensure status. Semester hour equivalents and verification of certification/licensure as a teacher in the foreign country may also be necessary to complete the evaluation for licensure in Delaware. A list of appropriate foreign credential consultants is available from the State Office of Certification. Since this service is not provided by the Department of Education, the cost is the full responsibility of the applicant.
4.6.1.1.1 In making application for licensure, the individual with foreign credentials shall follow the standard procedure for all applicants; however, it is more efficient to submit transcripts for foreign credential analysis first. Any teaching experience claimed must be properly verified. If an applicant with foreign credentials is unable to provide all the required information, a license to teach in Delaware cannot be issued (see 2.0); and
4.6.1.1.2 Applicants who are part of a foreign exchange program should refer to 2.3.5.
4.6.2 Professions and Occupations License
4.6.2.1 In areas of licensure where a State of Delaware professional license or registration is required by law, the applicant must present a current, valid license or registration upon application for a teaching license. The State license or registration shall be renewed as required by law. For initial licensure, a copy of a current, valid State of Delaware license shall be submitted with all requests for renewal of a Delaware license that requires the license.
4.6.2.1.1 At any time an individual allows the required license to lapse or become invalid for any reason, the Delaware teaching license which requires such professional licensure shall become invalid as well.
4.6.3 All graduate and undergraduate degrees and coursework accepted for licensure must be earned from a college or institution approved by the appropriate regional or national accrediting agency; however, applicants from nonaccredited colleges may validate the Bachelor's degree by the completion of six (6) graduate level credits from an accredited institution or through the National Teacher Examinations (NTE) (see 4.6.5.1).
4.6.4 Correspondence coursework or courses delivered by video tape shall have a regionally accredited institution as the grantor of credit in order to meet requirements for licensure, and shall be presented to the Office of Certification on an official transcript from said regionally accredited institution. Six (6) semester hours of coursework is the maximum amount of credit allowable via correspondence (see 4.6.6).
4.6.5 Proficiency Examinations
4.6.5.1 A satisfactory score (fiftieth percentile or better) on the National Teacher Examinations (NTE)/PRAXIS II Content Tests may be used:
4.6.5.1.1 to validate work from nonaccredited colleges (see 4.6.3 and 4.6.4);
4.6.5.1.2 to complete requirements for the major teaching field if the applicant holds a Bachelor's degree but lacks six (6) semester hours or less for full licensure and has at least one (1) year of successful teaching experience in the area required for the license;
4.6.5.1.3 as a substitute for coursework for an additional teaching field. This applies to a person who is fully certified and who has satisfactory experience in his/her major teaching field of at least three (3) years on the Standard license (documentation of both experience and level of performance required), and who wishes to qualify for another teaching field;
4.6.5.1.4 by an applicant who needs only refresher credits as required under Recency Requirement (see 5.7);
4.6.5.1.5 to complete requirements for foreign language in the areas of French, German and Spanish or any other specific content areas for which the National Teacher Exam (NTE/PRAXIS II) has been developed and for which the State of Delaware offers licensure;
4.6.5.1.6 to validate proficiency as a native speaker; or proficiency of a language gained through cross-cultural experiences such as living abroad.
4.6.5.2 Occupational Vocational Testing (NOCTI)
4.6.5.2.1 This test may be taken to complete requirements in the occupational vocational education area of Trade and Industry, with approval of the State Department of Education and they determine the appropriate cut scores of the NOCTI competency examinations for each trade area.
4.6.5.2.1.1 The appropriate NOCTI can be used for nine (9) semester hours of credit in the vocational elective area of the Specific Requirements of the Trade and Industry license and nine (9) semester hours toward a salary increment.
4.6.5.2.1.2 The NOCTI can be used as part of an undergraduate bachelor's degree program in vocational education. The degree-granting college/university will determine the credit value of the exam in light of the completion on the Bachelor's degree.
4.6.5.2.1.3 The NOCTI cannot be used for both 4.6.3.2.1.1 and 4.6.3.2.1.2 above.
4.6.6 Correspondence Coursework
4.6.6.1 Not more than six (6) semester hours of required courses for licensure in any single area may be secured by correspondence work. This correspondence work shall be successfully completed through an accredited college or in a school listed by a recommended accrediting agency such as the National Home Study Council.
4.6.6.1.1 Any courses presented in a video or distance learning format shall be considered as a correspondence course, as long as attendance on campus in a formal classroom setting is not required. Consequently, video courses and distance learning shall be taken through a regionally accredited college and a maximum of six (6) semester hours are allowable.
4.6.7 Fees Required
4.6.7.1 A $10.00 nonresident initial processing fee will be charged for each original evaluation for licensure at the time of initial application. A resident of Delaware is an applicant who has been a resident of Delaware for at least one (1) year. Checks are to be made payable to the Delaware Department of Education, shall accompany each Application for Certificate, and are not refundable. Applications submitted without this fee shall be returned unprocessed.
4.6.7.2 A $5.00 fee will be charged for each duplicate certificate/license. Checks are to be made payable to the Department of Education. Cash or postage stamps are not acceptable.
4.6.8 The effective date of each license shall be the actual date of issuance or employment, whichever is earlier; or the first of the month following the completion of the semester in which coursework requirements were completed or the date of completion of testing requirements when no other requirements were needed. The expiration date shall be the end of the fiscal year, as appropriate for the license being issued.
4.6.9 An applicant for initial licensure who meets all minimum requirements may, in some cases, be issued the appropriate license for only one (1) year when offered employment in a Delaware public school district. The license may be continued/extended for its full term after one (1) year of successful, full-time teaching experience in a public school setting and upon the recommendation of the local district superintendent.
4.7 Denial of License
4.7.1 A license may be denied to an applicant for initial licensure for the following reasons: lack of good moral character, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
4.7.2 Notwithstanding any other provisions stated herein, no license shall be issued to an applicant for initial licensure, for licensure through reciprocity, or for renewal of licensure, if:
4.7.2.1 There is legal evidence that the applicant is not of good moral character; or
4.7.2.2 The applicant has had a certificate or license revoked in another state for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
5.0 Renewal of Licenses
5.1 The Professional Status certificate is valid for five (5) fiscal years and shall be renewed upon expiration provided the employee shall have been employed, full-time, for at least three (3) school years during the aforesaid five-year term, in the type of position for which the certificate was issued.
5.1.1 In the event that the Professional Status certificate expires and the holder has not been employed full-time, for three (3) of the most recent five-year period, in the type of position for which the Professional Status certificate was issued, the employee shall be required to take refresher coursework as required in 5.7. Credits earned during the period when the certificate was valid may be applied, if appropriate, toward meeting the refresher requirements as long as the coursework is not older than five (5) years. Upon completion of the refresher coursework, a regular Standard license will be issued/renewed.
5.1.2 The holder of an expired Professional Status certificate, who does meet either the three-year employment requirement for renewal or the refresher requirements to qualify for a regular Standard license or renewal of such, may qualify for a Limited Standard license in the same area, if such certification is requested by a local district superintendent as a condition of employment or continued employment.
5.2 Standard license: The Standard license shall be renewed upon expiration, provided the employee shall have been employed in a Delaware public school district or other state agency requiring certified educational personnel, for at least three (3) school years during the most recent five-year period. Said employment shall have been in the type of position for which the license was issued and for which it is valid.
5.2.1 The Standard license shall be renewed only when the employment is not for three (3) consecutive years, thus rendering the employee ineligible for a Professional Status certificate. If employment in the appropriate position is for three (3) consecutive years, the individual shall be issued the Professional Status certificate and the Standard license in that area shall not be renewed.
5.2.2 Standard licenses are typically not renewed for individuals employed outside the Delaware public school system and appropriate agencies that require certified educational personnel. The Standard license shall not be renewed for individuals employed within the Delaware public school system, unless it is required in the area to which the employee is currently assigned. Regular Standard licenses that are not renewed are valid indefinitely. Renewal of these licenses shall be made only when an assignment/reassignment within the public school system requires the employee to hold that specific license.
5.2.3 In the event of a reassignment to an area in which the Standard license has expired, and when the holder of that expired license has not been employed for three (3) of the most recent five-year period in a position for which it was issued, the holder shall be required to take the refresher coursework described in 5.7. Six (6) semester hour credits from regionally accredited colleges/universities earned during the period when the license was valid but expired may be applied, if appropriate, toward meeting the refresher requirement.
5.2.4 The regular Standard license may be renewed for personnel who previously held a Professional Status certificate, and who do not meet the three-year, full-time employment renewal requirement but who have completed the required refresher coursework. The Standard license shall be renewed at the time the Professional Status certificate expires, provided the holder is employed by a Delaware public school district or state agency requiring certified educational personnel, in a position requiring that license.
5.2.5 The holder of an expired license who meets neither the service requirements nor the refresher requirements for renewal, may qualify for a Limited Standard license, if employed by a Delaware public school district or state agency requiring certified educational personnel, provided such license is requested by a local district superintendent or appropriate personnel officer.
5.3 The Initial Standard certificate was valid for a period of five (5) years between October 1, 1982 and June 30, 1991 and is not renewable. The holder of an Initial Standard certificate who has been employed, full-time, by a Delaware public school district or state agency requiring certified educational personnel for at least three (3) years of the aforesaid five-year term, and in the type of position for which the certificate was issued, shall be eligible for a regular Standard certificate upon expiration of the Initial Standard certificate. The Initial Standard certificate has not been issued since July 1, 1991. Since that time, the regular Standard certificate replaced the Initial Standard certificate as the initial certificate in Delaware. In the situation described above, the Standard certificate would be issued for the next consecutive five-year period.
5.3.1 After three (3) consecutive years of service in the type of position for which the Initial Standard certificate was issued, the holder of the Initial Standard is eligible for a Professional Status certificate in the same area. If employed in a Delaware public school district or an agency that requires certified educational personnel, a regular Standard certificate will not also be issued at that time. It may be issued later, as appropriate.
5.3.2 The holder of an expired Initial Standard certificate who has not completed, within the most recent five-year period, three (3) years of employment in the type of position for which the certificate was issued, may be issued a regular Standard license upon completion of six (6) semester hours of approved refresher work, independent of employment. A written request must be submitted if the individual is outside the Delaware public school system.
5.3.3 The holder of an expired Initial Standard certificate may be issued a Limited Standard license at the request of a local district superintendent/state agency, provided he/she is employed in a Delaware public school district or state agency requiring certified educational personnel, and in the event they meet neither the experience or the refresher requirements.
5.4 A Limited Standard license is issued for up to three (3) years at the request of a local district superintendent, and is not renewable (see 2.3).
5.5 A Temporary license is valid for one (1) year and is not renewable. If an applicant for licensure who was employed on the basis of a Temporary license later qualifies for a regular Standard then the appropriate license may be issued.
5.6 Individuals who are not employed in a Delaware Public School District or other State Agency Requiring Certified Educational Personnel.
5.6.1 A Professional Status certificate, issued to an individual while employed in a Delaware public school district, shall not be renewed. It is considered to be a valid Delaware license for an indefinite period of time.
5.6.1.1 Upon returning to employment within the Delaware public school system, the Standard license that was initially issued/used during the previous employment, shall be renewed when either 5.6.1.1.1 or 5.6.1.1.2 below can be met:
5.6.1.1.1 verification of the completion of the appropriate refresher coursework as specified in 5.7.
5.6.1.1.2 provision of appropriate documentation of three (3) years full-time experience within the most recent five-year period, teaching in the same area as the Professional Status certificate.
5.6.1.2 Upon employment in a Delaware public school district, a Limited Standard license may be issued for a period of up to three (3) years at the request of a local district superintendent/designee while the refresher coursework requirement is being met.
5.6.2 The Standard license, although valid for an indefinite period of time, is typically not renewed for a five-year period until the individual holder is employed in a Delaware public school district or other state agency which employs certified educational personnel. At the time of employment within the public school system, and upon presentation of verification of appropriate refresher coursework (see 5.7).
5.6.2.1 If an individual with a valid regular Standard license that is more than five (5) years past its latest issuance date, seeks employment, he/she will be eligible for renewal with documentation of appropriate refresher coursework or experience. If coursework has not been taken, the regular Standard license cannot be renewed until such time as the refresher is taken. However, this individual shall be eligible at the request of the local district superintendent, to be issued a three-year Limited Standard license while the appropriate refresher coursework is completed.
5.7 Recency Requirement
5.7.1 Upon initial application for licensure, or when an additional area(s) of licensure is/are requested, or upon license renewal, at least six (6) semester hours of the coursework shall have been taken within the most recent five-year period. The recency requirement may be satisfied through appropriately documented employment in the area of license request, for three (3) years out of the most recent five-year period. Should neither of these criteria be met, six (6) semester hours of refresher coursework as specified below, shall be required prior to Standard licensure or renewal of license.
5.7.2 Refresher coursework for licensure shall be taken in a regionally accredited college or university. Said refresher may be either graduate or undergraduate level coursework, as was appropriate to meet the original requirements for licensure in that particular area. Inservice coursework is not appropriate. A total of six (6) semester hours of refresher coursework is required for license renewal or to update any degree or coursework that is more than five (5) years old (see 4.4).
5.7.2.1 If required, the refresher coursework shall be related to the specific area of licensure requested, with three (3) semester hours to be taken in the subject/content area of the license and three (3) additional semester hours to be taken in professional education directly related to the certified area. Refresher coursework shall meet the approval of the State Office of Certification. Refresher coursework shall be required for:
5.7.2.1.1 Renewing (upon employment in or assignment to a position) any valid, expired, renewable certificate/license where the individual has not been employed in an assigned position requiring that license for three (3) of the most recent five-year period;
5.7.2.1.2 Updating the recency of any degree or coursework that is older than five (5) years as it applies to the use of such coursework or the completion of a degree used to obtain initial licensure for a new area;
5.7.2.1.3 Updating the recency of any degree or coursework that is older than five (5) years as it applies toward meeting the requirements for any additional area(s) of licensure, after initial licensure.
6.0 Licensure Agreements/Reciprocity
6.1 Individuals graduating from Teacher education programs that are approved and accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification (NASDTEC) Certification Reciprocity System or The Interstate Certification Project (ICP) and have full recommendation from their degree granting institution shall be accepted for full licensure in Delaware upon passing the reading, mathematics and writing parts of the Pre-Professional Skills Tests (PPST/PRAXIS I).
6.2 Interstate Certification Project (ICP)
6.2.1 Classroom Teacher: An applicant with a bachelor's degree granted after January 1, 1964 in teacher education whose program is on the list of approved programs for the ICP will be automatically certified to teach in Delaware in his/her major area if he/she is fully recommended for teaching by the degree-granting institution.
6.2.1.1 An applicant with a bachelor's degree who holds a valid initial regular certificate/license from one of the states in the ICP and who has at least 27 months of successful teaching experience within the immediate past seven (7) years with at least eighteen (18) months of that teaching under the license now offered, is eligible for a Delaware license in the same area. (A copy of the certificate/license and verification of experience is required.)
6.2.2 All other licensed education personnel (except Superintendents and Assistant Superintendents).
6.2.2.1 An applicant from one of the states in the ICP who holds a valid initial regular certificate/license from the state and who has a minimum of 27 months of successful performance of professional school services under the certificate/license is eligible for a Delaware license in the same area if he/she has attained the same degree level of education required by Delaware. A copy of the certificate/license and verification of experience is required.
6.2.3 Licensed Educational Personnel from Other States (except local District Superintendent)
6.2.3.1 An applicant with a bachelor's degree who is fully licensed/certified in another state and who has a minimum of three (3) years of satisfactory experience within the immediate past five (5) years in the specific teaching area covered by that certificate/license, will be licensed in that area if he/she meets the total number of credits required by Delaware in professional education and the specific field, but not necessarily the specific courses required in Delaware if he/she has attained the same degree level of education required by Delaware.
7.0 Revocation of Licenses/Certification
7.1 Any license other than that of Professional Status may be revoked by the Secretary of Education for the reasons of immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty, or falsification of credentials.
7.2 Revocation Requested by a School District
7.2.1 When any certified person is dismissed for immorality, the board making such a determination pursuant to 14 Del. C. shall, upon final decision, give written notice to the Secretary of Education of its desire to request the revocation of that individual's license(s).
7.2.2 When any certified person is dismissed for misconduct in office, incompetence, disloyalty, or willful and persistent insubordination, the board making such a determination pursuant to 14 Del. C. may, upon final decision, give written notice to the Secretary of Education of its desire to request the revocation of that individual's license(s).
7.2.3 The certified copy of the decision of the board shall be substantial evidence for the Secretary of Education to revoke the license(s) without a hearing. The district shall forward its record with regard to the dismissal and any hearing thereon.
7.2.4 The notice of the revocation(s) by the Secretary of Education shall be sent to the person by certified mail and shall give notice that it may be appealed to the Delaware State Board of Education within thirty (30) days.
7.3 Revocation or Denial by the Secretary of Education
7.3.1 In a case where the Secretary of Education has good reason to believe that a certified person not employed by a public school district has been convicted of a crime which is evidence of immorality, the Secretary of Education may initiate proceedings to revoke the person's license(s).
7.3.2 Any revocation by the Secretary of Education, or any denial of licensure or denial of renewal of license shall be subject to the following:
7.3.2.1 The Secretary of Education shall ensure that there has been a fair investigation of the facts, that there is substantial evidence for the basis of the decision, and that the person is given notice of the decision and the reasons.
7.3.2.2 The notice of the decision shall be sent to the person by certified mail, and the person shall have thirty (30) days, from receipt, to request an informal hearing before the State.
7.3.2.3 If such a hearing is requested, the Secretary of Education shall give the person twenty (20) days prior notice of the date, time and place of the informal hearing. The notice shall inform the person of the right to present his position and to be represented by counsel.
7.3.2.4 The Secretary of Education shall render a decision in writing, setting out the reasons within twenty (20) days. The decision shall be sent to the person by certified mail, and shall give notice that it may be appealed to the State Board of Education within thirty (30) days of receipt.
7.3.3 All appeals to the State Board of Education regarding revocation or denial of licensure are pursuant to 29 Del. C., Chapter 101.
8.0 Denial of Licenses/Certificates
8.1 A license may be denied to an applicant for initial licensure for the following reasons: Lack of Good Moral Character, Misconduct in Office, Incompetence, Willful Neglect of Duty, Disloyalty or Falsification of Credentials.
8.2 Notwithstanding any other provisions stated herein, no license shall be issued to an applicant for initial licensure, for licensure through reciprocity, or for renewal of licensure, if:
8.2.1 There is legal evidence that the applicant is not of good moral character; or
8.2.2 The applicant has had a certificate or license revoked in another state for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
9.0 Professional Growth Programs
9.1 Definitions of Terms
9.1.1 Graduate Level Course: Any course to be used herein which is offered at a regionally accredited college or university that is considered graduate level at that institution.
9.1.2 Undergraduate Course: Any course to be used herein which is offered by a regionally accredited college or university which carried college credit for an Associate or Bachelor's degree.
9.1.3 Inservice Credits: Any project course offered by a local Delaware school district or other agency that has the approval of the Delaware State Department of Education; or any course offered by the Delaware State Department of Education. (To be used in a Professional Growth Program, completion of these courses must have the prior approval of the local employing school district superintendent.)
9.1.4 Individual Professional Growth Credits: Individual activities, i.e. projects, travel, and work experience, which contribute to the professional growth of the school employee in his/her assignment. Individual Professional Growth credits must have the prior approval of the Delaware State Department of Education and the local employing school district superintendent. A written evaluation report by the individual earning the credit shall be required at the conclusion of the activity.
9.1.4.1 A minimum of one (1) and a maximum of three (3) inservice credits will be allowed for each activity, for a maximum of nine (9) Individual Professional Growth credits.
9.1.5 Credit Calculation: All credits must be expressed in terms of semester hours. College or university credits expressed in quarter hours and approved CEUs will be converted to semester hours by multiplying the number of quarter hours by two-thirds. In the case in-service credits, fifteen (15) clock hours of class time is considered the equivalent of one (1) credit. Credits earned for Professional Growth activities will be calculated in the same manner as in-service credits.
9.2 Acceptable Grades
9.2.1 All grades for college-level credit submitted for a Professional Growth Program must be a grade that earns a "C" or better from the granting institution. In the case of credits earned on a pass-fail basis, a grade of pass is acceptable.
9.3 Acceptable Credits
9.3.1 Credits for the Professional Growth Programs (B+15, B+30, M+15, M+30, M+45) shall be earned after the Bachelor's degree has been conferred. They may be graduate, undergraduate, or in-service. CEUs from regionally accredited colleges can also be used (1 CEU = 10 clock hours = 2/3 semester hour)
9.3.2 Up to nine (9) Individual Professional Growth credits may be counted from theB+15 through the M+45.
9.3.3 Undergraduate and graduate credits must be earned at regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. Any credits not counted toward a graduate degree shall be counted in the B+15, B+30, M+15, M+30, M+45 programs.
9.3.4 Undergraduate, in-service, and Individual Professional Growth credits shall have the prior approval of the employing local district superintendent/designee before submission to the State Office of Certification. These credits shall be relevant and usable to the applying employee.
9.3.5 For Trade and Industry teachers, a Bachelor's degree equivalent shall be two years of college and six years of work experience, 14 Del. C., § 1301.
9.4 Salary Increment: An applicant shall hold a Delaware Standard or Limited Standard license before a Professional Growth Program salary increment can be approved.
9.5 Admittance to Graduate School: Applicants for a Professional Growth Program need not be admitted to a graduate school in order to have graduate level courses accepted for these programs.
9.6 Acceptable Professional Degrees
9.6.1 Professional degrees earned in areas other than professional education will not be accepted for the Professional Growth Program unless the degree is directly related to an area of specialty in which the individual is employed.
9.6.2 To be counted for the Professional Growth Program, a degree for any individual involved in instruction, curriculum, or the supervision of instruction must be a degree in professional education.
9.6.3 Individual courses in any area may be considered for acceptance in the Professional Growth Program upon receipt of a written rationale from the applicant with an endorsement by his/her local employing school district superintendent.
9.7 Usable Credits: All credits and programs to be accepted for the Professional Growth Program/state supported salary increments shall be relevant and usable to the professional school employee and may be approved or disapproved by the local employing school district superintendent.
9.8 Excess Graduate Level Credits: Graduate level credits earned after a Bachelor's degree or before earning a Master's degree may be used in the B+15 and the B+30 Professional Growth Programs so long as the same credit is used only one time. Credits earned in excess of those required for the Master's degree by the granting institution can be used in a M+15, M+30 and M+45 Professional Growth Program.
9.9 Effective Date of Salary Adjustment
9.9.1 The salary adjustment shall be made after the evaluation and approval of the candidate's application by the State Office of Certification. The adjustment will be authorized to be made retroactive to the first of the month following the date certified by transcript, official grade slip, or approved in-service slip, as to when the program or credit was completed.
9.9.2 Retroactive salary adjustment may be by a single payment or by payments divided equally among all the pay periods remaining in a current fiscal year as may be determined by the district or state fiscal officers.
9.10 Appeals Committee: A committee shall be called to review and make recommendations regarding an appeal that may result as these rules are administered. The committee shall include the following: One (1) representative from the professional organization which represents the applicant, One (1) staff member from the Department of Education; and one (1) representative from the Chief School Officers organization.
9.11 Application Procedures
9.11.1 The applicant shall secure the proper form from the local school district office, complete the form, and to return it to his/her school district office for transmittal to the State Office of Certification.
9.11.2 The applicant shall arrange for the appropriate authority or institution to provide verification, if needed, regarding graduate level of courses or any other information that might be needed to support his/her application for the Professional Growth Program.
9.11.3 Application for evaluation shall not be submitted prior to the completion of the Professional Growth Program.
9.11.4 A salary increment for the current fiscal year (July 1 - June 30) based upon approval of the application must be received in the State Office of Certification by June 1. This cut-off date is necessary to allow adequate time for evaluation and notification to the district payroll office for salary adjustment. Applications received after this date will be approved effective the first day in the new fiscal year. No salary credit shall be retroactive into a prior fiscal year.
10.0 Certification/National Board of Professional Teaching Standards
10.1 To be eligible to apply for national board certification (and, therefore, for the award) an individual shall:
10.1.1 Hold a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution of higher education.
10.1.2 Verify the completion of at least three years of successful, full-time experience teaching in one or more elementary, middle-level, and/or secondary schools. Substitute teaching does not count for this experience.
10.1.3 Be currently employed in a Delaware public school.
10.2 Application Procedures
10.2.1 By a date prescribed each year, teachers interested in applying for national certification shall request, complete, and return an Award Application to the State Office of Certification. If more than fifteen (15) applications are received in any given year, a total of fifteen applicants to receive the awards will be chosen by lottery.
10.2.2 The applicant shall complete the forms and return them to the State Office of Certification by the annual deadline for processing and submission to the National Board. The application for national board certification shall be completed in full and returned before the individual can obtain the award specified in this policy.
10.2.3 The application for national board certification and the $500.00 initial application fee shall be sent from the State Office of Certification directly to the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards.
10.2.4 As bills are sent to the teacher by the NBPTS for additional application fees and related costs up to a total of $2,000.00, the teacher will forward the bills to the Office of Professional Standards and Certification for payment to the National Board.
10.2.5 A teacher may receive an award only one time for working toward national certification in a particular field/level.
10.2.6 Should a teacher/applicant be involved in another national board certification program like the Princeton Project, which also pays part of the fees for the national certification, this program will pay the other part of the fees and related costs up to the total of $2,000.00 for all support.
10.2.7 The Documents that shall be submitted to complete the application and reporting process include the Award Application and the NBPTS Application.
10.3 Salary Adjustment: School district personnel offices shall verify for the State Office of Certification completion of national board certification by any teacher paid under 14 Del.C. §1305.
11.0 Alternative Routes To Certification Program For Secondary Teachers
11.1 Eligibility for Participation in Program is defined in 14 Del.C. §1260.
11.2 Candidates employed for secondary teaching positions who do not meet the certification requirements for a limited standard or standard Delaware certificate and who do not meet the criteria will be issued a one-year temporary certificate and will be required to meet the Delaware certification requirements for the area in which they are teaching.
11.3 School districts or charter schools employing a secondary-level candidate for the alternative routes program must meet the criteria set forth in 14 Del.C. §1260.
11.4 The Alternative Routes to Certification Program shall be offered in three interrelated but distinct components - a summer institute of intensive study, a practicum experience the first year of teaching, and seminars in teaching during and immediately following the first year of teaching.
11.4.1 A summer institute of approximately 120 instructional (clock) hours completed by the candidate prior to the beginning of his/her teaching assignment. This includes an orientation to the policies, organization and curriculum of the employing school district or Charter School, instructional strategies and classroom management and adolescent development.
11.4.1.1 Candidates employed too late to participate in the summer institute will complete the practicum experience and seminars on teaching during the first school year and will participate in the summer institute following their first year of teaching.
11.4.2 A one-year, full-time practicum experience which includes a period of intensive on-the-job mentoring and supervision beginning the first day in which the candidate assumes full responsibility for a classroom and continuing for a period of thirty (30) weeks.
11.4.3 Seminars on Teaching that provide alternative routes to certification teachers with approximately 120 instructional (clock) hours during the first year of their teaching assignment and during a one week intensive seminar the following summer.
11.4.4 Mentoring Support: Mentoring support shall be carried out in accordance with Section 1261 (b) (2) (3) of 14 Del. C.
11.4.5 Evaluation/Supervision: Evaluation/supervision shall be conducted as per Section 1261 (b) (2) (3) of 14 Del. C.
11.5 Program Evaluation: Those responsible for alternative routes to certification programs approved by the State Office of Certification shall develop a program evaluation process. The focus of the program evaluation must be to demonstrate the degree to which teachers who complete the program are effective in the classroom.
1505 Professional Growth Programs (Effective through 6/30/03[04] only)
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to professional growth programs for educators, pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1305.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Graduate level course” means any course to be used herein which is offered at a regionally accredited college or university that is considered graduate level at that institution.
“Individual professional growth credits” means individual activities (i.e., projects, travel, and work experience) which contribute to the professional growth of the school employee in his/her assignment.
“In-service credit” means credit offered by school districts, charter schools, Delaware educationally related organizations, the Department, or individual professional growth programs and approved by the state in-service committee.
3.0 Credits.
3.1 Three (3) in-service credits will be allowed for each activity, for a maximum of nine (9) individual professional growth credits. Individual professional growth credits must have the prior approval of the Department and the local employing school district superintendent or charter school principal. A written evaluation report by the individual earning the credit shall be required at the conclusion of the activity.
3.2 Credit Calculation.
3.2.1 All credits must be expressed in terms of semester hours. College or university credits expressed in quarter hours and approved CEUs will be converted to semester hours by multiplying the number of quarter hours by two-thirds. In the case in-service credits, fifteen (15) clock hours of class time is considered the equivalent of one (1) credit. Credits earned for professional growth activities will be calculated in the same manner as in-service credits.
3.3 Acceptable Grades
3.3.1 All grades for college-level credit submitted for a professional growth
program must be a grade that earns a "C" or better from the granting institution. In the case of credits earned on a pass-fail basis, a grade of pass is acceptable.
3.4 Acceptable Credits
3.4.1 Credits for the professional growth programs
(B+15, B+30, M+15, M+30, M+45) shall be earned after the Bachelor's degree has been conferred. They may be graduate, undergraduate, or in-service. CEUs from regionally accredited colleges can also be used (1 CEU = 10 clock hours = 2/3 semester hour)
3.4.2 Up to nine (9) individual professional growth credits may be counted from the B+15 through the M+45.
3.4.3 Undergraduate and graduate credits must be earned at regionally accredited institutions of higher learning. Any credits not counted toward a graduate degree shall be counted in the B+15, B+30, M+15, M+30, M+45 programs.
3.4.4 Undergraduate, in-service, and individual professional growth credits shall have the prior approval of the employing local district superintendent/designee before submission to the State Office of Certification. These credits shall be relevant and usable to the applying employee.
3.4.5 For Trade and Industry teachers, a Bachelor's degree equivalent shall be two years of college and six years of work experience (14 Del. C., § 1301).
3.5 Salary Increment.
3.5.1 An applicant shall hold a Delaware Standard or Limited Standard license before a Professional Growth Program salary increment can be approved.
3.6 Admittance to Graduate School: Applicants for a professional growth program need not be admitted to a graduate school in order to have graduate level courses accepted for these programs.
3.7 Acceptable Professional Degrees
3.7.1 Professional degrees earned in areas other than professional education will not be accepted for the professional growth program unless the degree is directly related to an area of specialty in which the individual is employed.
3.7.2 To be counted for the professional growth program, a degree for any individual involved in instruction, curriculum, or the supervision of instruction must be a degree in professional education.
3.7.3 Individual courses in any area may be considered for acceptance in the professional growth program upon receipt of a written rationale from the applicant with an endorsement by his/her local employing school district superintendent.
3.8 Usable Credits.
3.8.1 All credits and programs to be accepted for the professional growth program/state supported salary increments shall be relevant and usable to the professional school employee and may be approved or disapproved by the local employing school district superintendent.
3.9 Excess Graduate Level Credits.
3.9.1 Graduate level credits earned after a Bachelor's degree or before earning a Master's degree may be used in the B+15 and the B+30 professional growth programs so long as the same credit is used only one time. Credits earned in excess of those required for the Master's degree by the granting institution can be used in a M+15, M+30 and M+45 professional growth program.
3.10 Effective Date of Salary Adjustment
3.10.1 The salary adjustment shall be made after the evaluation and approval of the candidate's application by the Office of Professional Accountability. The adjustment will be authorized to be made retroactive to the first of the month following the date certified by transcript, official grade slip, or approved in-service slip, as to when the program or credit was completed.
3.10.2 Retroactive salary adjustment may be by a single payment or by payments divided equally among all the pay periods remaining in a current fiscal year as may be determined by the district or state fiscal officers.
3.11 Appeals Committee.
3.11.1 A committee shall be called to review and make recommendations regarding an appeal that may result as these rules are administered. The committee shall include the following: One (1) representative from the professional organization which represents the applicant, One (1) staff member from the Department; and one (1) representative from the Chief School Officers organization.
3.12 Application Procedures
3.12.1 The applicant shall secure the proper form from the local school district office, complete the form, and to return it to his/her school district office for transmittal to the Office of Professional Accountability.
3.12.2 The applicant shall arrange for the appropriate authority or institution to provide verification, if needed, regarding graduate level of courses or any other information that might be needed to support his/her application for the professional growth program.
3.12.3 Application for evaluation shall not be submitted prior to the completion of the professional growth program.
3.13 A salary increment for fiscal year 2004 (July 1 - June 30) based upon approval of the application must be received in the Office of Professional Accountability by June 1. This cut-off date is necessary to allow adequate time for evaluation and notification to the district payroll office for salary adjustment. No salary credit shall be retroactive into a prior fiscal year.
1510 Issuance Of Initial License Issuance Of Initial License
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to the issuance of an initial license for educators, pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1210.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Alternative Routes to Licensure and Certification” means programs approved by the Department of Education to certify or license candidates who hold bachelors degrees with appropriate to the instructional field they desire to teach, but who did not complete a regionally accredited educator preparation program.
“Composite score” means a total of an applicant’s scores on all three (3) subtests of Praxis I which is equal to, or greater than, the sum of the passing scores on the three subtests.
“Date of hire” means the effective date of employment by a school district, charter school, or other employing authority.
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del. C., Chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board, pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1203, but does not include substitute teachers.
“Examination of general knowledge” means a standardized test which measures general knowledge and essential skills in mathematics or quantitative and verbal skills, including reading and writing.
“Exigent circumstances” means unanticipated circumstances or circumstances beyond the educator’s control, including, but not limited to, expiration of a license during the school year, serious illness of the educator or a member of his/her immediate family, activation to active military duty, and other serious emergencies which necessitate the educator’s temporarily leaving active service.
“Jurisdiction” means a state, territory or country.
“License” means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.
“Mentoring” means activities prescribed by the Department and/or other employing authority in which a holder of an initial license must engage during the three-year term of the initial license.
“Novice applicant” means an applicant who has not previously held an initial license in Delaware.
“Standard Certificate” means a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.
“Standards Board” means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1201.
“State Board” means the State Board of Education of the State pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 104.
“Student teaching program” means a [program accredited by the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification or the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education, which includes] traditional student teaching [placement within a National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification or National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education approved program offered by a college or university,] [programs,] or such alternatives as deemed appropriate to the program, such as supervised internships or other field based experience recognized as a required component of the regionally accredited educator preparation program. For the purposes of this regulation, student teaching program also means one year of teaching experience consisting of a minimum of 91 days of long term teaching experience at one assignment.
3.0 In accordance with 14 Del. C. § 1210, the Department shall issue an initial license to a novice applicant who submits evidence of (1) receipt of a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university; (2) completion of a student teaching program, or one year of teaching experience consisting of a minimum of 91 days of long term teaching experience at one assignment, or enrollment in an Alternative Routes to Licensure and Certification program, and (3) a passing score on an examination of general knowledge, such as PRAXIS I, or such other alternative as may be established by the Standards Board, with the approval of the State Board. For the purposes of this regulation, a bachelor’s degree for a trades and industry teacher shall be two (2) years of college or technical training, plus six (6) years of trade experience. An initial license shall also be issued to an applicant currently licensed as an educator in another jurisdiction with less than three years of teaching experience or to an applicant who previously held a valid Delaware standard or professional status certificate who has been out of the profession for more than three years. In addition to an initial license, applicants must also apply for a standard certificate in the particular area, subject, or category in which they wish to be employed, and must verify that they possess the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in that area, subject, or category. (See 14 DE Admin. Code 1516).
3.1 An applicant for an initial license shall submit the application form, official transcripts, and official scores on an examination of general knowledge to the Department.
3.1.1 Official transcripts shall be forwarded directly from the issuing institution or by the applicant in an unopened, unaltered envelope.
3.2 Examination of General Knowledge Requirements
3.2.1 An applicant seeking initial licensure in Delaware shall provide the Department with official test scores for one or more of the following tests of essential skills in reading, writing and mathematics: the PRAXIS I Tests or such alternatives as set forth in 3.2.4 below.
3.2.2 Scores of Examinations of General Knowledge.
3.2.2.1 The following minimum passing scores are required in the areas of reading, writing and mathematics for each of the examinations of essential skills.
3.2.2.1.1 Pre-professional Skills Test Taken between 7/1/83 and 10/22/93: reading - 175, mathematics - 175, writing - 172.
3.2.2.1.2 PRAXIS I - Paper and Pencil Tests (Tests taken on 10/23/93 and thereafter) and computerized pre-professional skills tests taken 1/1/02 and thereafter: reading - 175, mathematics - 174, writing - 173.
3.2.2.1.3 PRAXIS I - Computer Based Tests (Tests taken on10/23/93 and thereafter): reading - 322, mathematics - 319, writing - 319.
3.2.3 Individuals holding Delaware certificates issued prior to July 1, 1983 are exempt from the testing requirements.
3.2.4 Acceptable alternatives to the PRAXIS I test scores include:
3.2.4.1 Scores from the California Test of Basic Skills (CTBS) shall be accepted in lieu of PPST/PRAXIS I scores if the test was taken as a condition of meeting certification or licensure requirements in that state and the scores total 123, with a minimum of at least 37 in each category.
3.2.4.2 Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SAT) taken after 4/1/95 and presented for exemption must meet the scores set forth below due to a re-centering of the SAT.
3.2.4.2.1 A minimum score of 520 on the SAT Mathematics taken prior to 4/1/95, and a minimum score of 540 on the SAT Mathematics test taken thereafter will be accepted as fulfillment of the PRAXIS I Mathematics requirement.
3.2.4.2.2 A minimum score of 480 on the SAT Verbal test taken prior to 4/1/95, and a minimum score of 560 on the SAT verbal test taken thereafter will be accepted as fulfillment of the PRAXIS I reading requirement.
3.2.4.3 Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores presented for exemption must meet the scores set forth below.
3.2.4.3.1 A minimum score of 490 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Verbal test will be accepted as fulfillment of the PRAXIS I reading requirement.
3.2.4.3.2 A minimum score of 540 on the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) Quantitative test will be accepted as fulfillment of the PRAXIS I mathematics requirement.
3.2.4.4 National Teacher Examination (NTE) Core Battery Communications Skills with a minimum score of 670 will be accepted as fulfillment of the PRAXIS I writing requirement
3.2.5 Any Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) scores, Graduate Records Exam (GRE) scores or NTE Communication Skills scores intended to be used as an exemption for the PPST/PRAXIS I, shall be submitted within the same time line as that required for PRAXIS I and scores must pre-date the employment date.
3.2.6 Timeline for Examination of General Knowledge.
3.2.6.1 An applicant for an initial license must pass PRAXIS I or an approved alternative within the period of time from the date of hire to the end of the next, consecutive fiscal year. [An initial license issued without the passage of PRAXIS I shall be suspended at the end of the fiscal year during which the license was issued if proof of passage of PRAXIS I has not been provided. This suspension shall remain in effect until the license holder passes PRAXIS I or until the initial license expires, whichever first occurs.] Notwithstanding the foregoing, the superintendent of the employing school district or charter school [or other employing authority] may submit to the Secretary of Education a written request for a one-year extension. The request must document the effectiveness of the applicant.
3.2.6.1.1 An applicant for an initial license who does not achieve a passing score on PRAXIS I, but whose score on PRAXIS I is within 2 points of the passing score on the reading, writing, or mathematics section of PRAXIS I may use a composite score to meet the requirements of passage. Notwithstanding the use of a composite score, an applicant who seeks to teach in the secondary content areas of mathematics or English/language arts must meet the passing score in that content area.
3.2.6.2 An applicant in a vocational trade and industry area must pass PRAXIS I or an approved alternative within six (6) years of the date of employment or before the expiration of the initial license, whichever is later.
3.2.7 There is no limit on the number of times an individual may take the PPST/PRAXIS I. Once passed, a section need not be taken again.
3.2.7.1 Passing scores in each area (reading, writing, mathematics) may be attained in any testing format.
3.2.8 Submission of Scores of Examination of General Knowledge.
3.2.8.1 Test scores shall be official and sent directly from Educational Testing Service or other test vendor to the Department.
3.2.8.2 Unopened, unaltered envelopes containing PPST/PRAXIS I scores, or scores of acceptable alternatives, sent to the individual may be accepted as official. The Department shall determine whether the scores as presented are acceptable.
3.2.8.3 Direct verification from another State Department of Education shall be considered as official. An original of the grade form shall be forwarded directly from the other State Department to the Department. This method will be accepted only when official test scores from Educational Testing Service are not available.
4.0 An initial license is valid for three (3) years, unless revoked, and may not be renewed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an initial license issued to an applicant in a vocational trade and industry area is valid for up to six (6) years to provide time for completion of specified college level course work required for certification.
4.1 An initial license issued to an applicant who is not currently employed by a school district, charter school, or other employing authority shall be inactive until such time as an applicant is employed by a public school district or charter school. Once employed, the initial license shall be in effect for three (3) years from the date of hire until the last day of the month of issuance three (3) years later, except in the case of the vocational and trade industry areas which shall expire on the last day of the month of issuance six (6) years later.
4.2 During the term of the initial license, license holders are required to participate in mentoring and other prescribed professional development activities offered by the Department and by the school district or charter school or other employing authority in which they are employed.
5.0 Applicants with Foreign Credentials.
5.1 Applicants graduating from foreign institutions shall provide an analysis of the degree equivalency, along with all other required application materials, which shall be reviewed by the Department.
6.0 The Department may extend an initial license for a period not to exceed one (1) year, exigent circumstances warranting the necessity of such extension.
6.1 A license holder whose license expires during the school year may have the initial license extended until the last day of the fiscal year upon a request from the district superintendent, charter school administrator, or other employing authority. This extension shall be considered an exigent circumstances and shall not exceed one (1) year in length.
7.0 An educator may take a leave of absence of up to three (3) years with no effect upon the validity or expiration of the initial license.
8.0 An applicant shall disclose his or her criminal conviction history upon application for an initial license. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction history is grounds for denial or revocation of an initial license as specified in 14 Del. Code, § 1219.
9.0 This regulation shall apply to all requests for issuance of an initial license, except as specifically addressed herein.
9.1 Educators whose applications for certification in Delaware were received prior to August 31, 2003, and whose applications and credentials have been reviewed by the Department and resulted in the issuance of an evaluation or prescription letter shall be required to meet the General Regulations for Certification of Professional Public School Personnel and the Specific Regulations as adopted for certification effective July 1, 1993.
9.2 Educators employed on a Limited Standard Certificate or a Temporary Certificate issued prior to August 31, 2003 shall continue on that certificate until the requirements specified are met or the certificate expires, whichever comes first. In no case shall a Limited Standard or Temporary Certificate be valid after July 1, 2008.
10.0 The Secretary of Education may, at the request of the superintendent of a local school district or charter school administrator or other employing authority, review licensure credentials on an individual basis and grant a license to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for initial license, but whose effectiveness [of][is] documented by the local school district, charter school, or other employing authority.
1513 Denial Of Licenses
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to the denial of an initial license, continuing license and/or advanced license for educators pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1217.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.
“Advanced license” means a license issued as part of the three-tiered licensure system set forth in 14 Del. C. § 1213 and § 1214.
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Continuing license” means a license issued as part of the three-tiered licensure system set forth in 14 Del. C. § 1211 and §1212.
“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del. C., Chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board, pursuant to 14 Del. C., § 1203, but does not include substitute teachers.
“Good moral character” means conduct which is consistent with the rules and principles of morality expected of an educator.
“Immorality” means conduct which is inconsistent with the rules and principles of morality expected of an educator and may reasonably be found to impair an educator’s effectiveness by reason of his or her unfitness or otherwise.
“Initial license” means a license issued as part of the three-tiered licensure system set forth in 14 Del. C. § 1210.
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.
“Standards Board” means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1205.
“State” means the State of Delaware.
“Unfit” means lack of good moral character, misconduct in office, incompetence, a pattern of ineffective teaching, wilful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
3.0 Upon a finding that an applicant is unfit to be licensed in the State, the Department may refuse to issue an initial license, continuing license or an advanced license to an applicant who otherwise meets the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1510, 1511, and 1512.
3.1 The Secretary shall give written notice to the applicant of the denial and the reasons therefore. The notice of denial shall be sent by certified mail and shall give notice that a full and fair hearing may be requested before the Standards Board within thirty (30) days.
3.2 An applicant who is denied an initial, continuing, or advanced license may appeal the decision, and is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standard Board’s Hearing Procedures and Rules.
4.0 Notwithstanding any other provisions stated herein or in 14 DE Admin. Code 1510, 1511, and 1512, no license shall be issued to an applicant for an initial, continuing or advanced license if:
4.1 There is legal evidence that the applicant is not of good moral character; or
4.2 The applicant has had a certificate or license revoked in another state for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
1514 Revocation Of Licenses
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to the revocation of an initial license, continuing license and/or advanced license for educators, pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1218.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Advanced license” means a license issued as part of the three-tiered licensure system set forth in 14 Del. C. § 1213 and 1214.
“Continuing license” means a license issued as part of the three-tiered license system set forth in 14 Del. C. § 1211 and 1212.
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Dismissal” means (1) dismissal by a school board or board of directors where the license holder is employed by a public school district or a charter school for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, willful neglect of duty or disloyalty; or (2) the license holder’s voluntary resignation of employment in the face of disciplinary action for immorality; or (3) the license holder’s conviction of a crime which is evidence of immorality.
“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del. C., Chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board pursuant to 14 Del. C., § 1203, but does not include substitute teachers.
“Immorality” means conduct which is inconsistent with the rules and principles of morality expected of an educator and may reasonably be found to impair an educator’s effectiveness by reason of his or her unfitness or otherwise.
“Initial license” means a license issued as part of the three-tiered licensure system set forth in 14 Del. C. § 1210.
“License holder” or “licensee” means any individual who holds an initial license, continuing license and/or advanced license, and until a continuing license is issued, a limited standard, standard, or professional status certificate.
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.
“Standards Board” means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1205.
“State” means the State of Delaware.
3.0 An initial, continuing or advanced license may be revoked upon the dismissal of the license holder for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, willful neglect of duty or disloyalty, and must be revoked upon a finding that the license holder made a materially false or misleading statement in his or her license application.
3.1 Revocation Requested by a School District or Charter School.
3.1.1 When any license holder is dismissed by a school board, or board of directors, or other employing authority for immorality, the board making such a determination pursuant to 14 Del. C. shall, upon final decision, give written notice to the Secretary of its desire to request the revocation of that individual’s license.
3.1.2 When any license holder is dismissed by a school board or board of directors or other employing authority for misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty or disloyalty, the board making such a determination pursuant to 14 Del. C. may, upon final decision, give written notice to the Secretary of its desire to request the revocation of that individual’s license.
3.1.3 When a license holder employed by a school board or board of directors or other employing authority voluntarily resigns in the face of disciplinary action for immorality and an investigation has been initiated by the school board or board of directors, or other employing authority, the board shall, upon accepting the resignation, give written notice to the Secretary.
3.1.4 Upon receipt of written notification from the school board or board of directors or other employing authority, the Secretary shall give written notice to the license holder of the intended revocation and the reasons therefore. The notice of revocation shall be sent by certified mail and shall give notice that a full and fair hearing may be requested before the Standards Board within thirty (30) days. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standard Board’s Hearing Procedures and Rules.
3.1.5 If the licensee fails to request a formal hearing before the Standards Board within thirty (30) days of the notice of revocation, the Secretary shall send written notification by certified mail to the individual revoking his/her license.
3.2 Revocation by the Secretary of Education
3.2.1 The Secretary may initiate proceedings to revoke a license holder’s license when she/he has good reason to believe that any of the following circumstances exist:
3.2.1.1 The license holder has been convicted of a crime which is evidence of immorality;
3.2.1.2 The license holder who is not employed by a public school district or charter school or other employing authority has voluntarily resigned his/her employment in the face of an open investigation for immorality; or
3.2.1.3 The license holder has had a certificate or license revoked in another state for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, willful neglect of duty or disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
3.2.2 The Secretary shall give written notice to the license holder of the intended revocation and the reasons therefor. The notice of revocation shall be sent by certified mail and shall give notice that a full and fair hearing may be requested before the Standards Board within thirty (30) days. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standard Board’s Hearing Procedures and Rules.
3.2.3 If the licensee fails to request a formal hearing before the Standards Board within thirty (30) days of the notice of revocation, the Secretary shall send written notification by certified mail to the individual revoking his/her license.
4.0 Duty of License Holder to Report.
4.1 Notwithstanding any other provisions stated herein, a license holder shall send written notification to the Secretary within thirty (30) days of the happening of any of the following events:
4.1.1 The license holder is dismissed by a school board, board of directors, or other employing authority for immorality;
4.1.2 The license holder voluntarily resigns employment in the face of disciplinary action for immorality and/or an open investigation for immorality;
4.1.3 The license holder is convicted of a crime which is evidence of immorality; or
4.1.4 The license holder has had a certificate or license revoked in another state for immorality, misconduct in office, incompetency, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials.
4.2 The failure of the license holder to report any of the above events to the Secretary of Education shall be grounds for revoking a license.
5.0 When a license is revoked, all certificates held by the license holder shall be revoked. Educators are entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Professional Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standards Board’s Hearing Procedures and Rules.
1515 Emergency Certificate
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to the issuance of an emergency certificate, pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1221.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Certified” means holding a certificate in a specific content area at designated grade levels.
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del. C., chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board, pursuant to 14 Del. C. §1203, but does not include substitute teachers.
“Emergency certificate” means a certificate issued to an educator who holds a valid Delaware initial, continuing, or advanced license, but lacks necessary skills and knowledge to meet certification requirements in a specific content area.
“Employing district” means a school district, charter school, or other employing authority that proposes to employ an educator under an emergency certificate.
“Exigent circumstances” means unanticipated circumstances or circumstances beyond the educator’s control, including, but not limited to, expiration of a license during the school year, serious illness of the educator or a member of his/her immediate family, activation to active military duty, and other serious emergencies which necessitate the educator’s temporarily leaving active service.
“Satisfactory evaluation” means an overall rating of “basic” or higher on an annual DPAS summative evaluation.
“Standard certificate” means a credential issued to verify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.
3.0 Upon request from the employing district, the Department may issue an emergency certificate, valid for up to three years, to an educator who holds a valid Delaware initial, continuing, or advanced license, or a valid standard or professional status certificate, but who is not eligible for certification in the area of need. An emergency certificate may not be renewed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an emergency certificate issued to an educator in a vocational trade and industry area is valid for up to six (6) years to provide time for completion of specified college level course work required for certification.
3.1 In its request for the issuance of an emergency certificate, the employing district must:
3.1.1 Document its efforts to hire a certified educator by supplying the Department with copies of job postings, recruitment efforts, and advertisements.
3.1.2 Establish that the proposed recipient of an emergency certificate is competent by submitting evidence of the educator’s license and other considerations, which may include, but are not limited to, evidence of course work or work experience in the area for which the emergency certificate is requested, which the employing district applied in determining the proposed recipient’s competence.
3.1.3 Set forth a written plan to support and assist the proposed recipient in achieving the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the applicable certification requirements.
3.2 Failure by the employing district to fulfill the conditions set forth in 3.1 above will result in denial of the emergency certificate.
3.3 The emergency certificate shall be in effect for three (3) years from the month in which the applicant is employed until the last day of the month of issuance three (3) years later, except in the case of an emergency certificate issued to a vocational trades and industry teacher, which shall expire on the last day of the month of issuance six (6) years later.
3.3.1 A certificate holder whose emergency certificate expires during the school year may have the emergency certificate extended until the last day of the fiscal year. This extension shall be considered an exigent circumstance and shall not exceed one (1) year in length.
4.0 At the end of each school year during which an emergency certificate is in effect, the employing district shall file a status report with the Department, which shall:
4.1 Establish that the recipient of the emergency certificate has demonstrated competence through receiving a satisfactory evaluation on the Delaware Performance Appraisal System.
4.2 Document the progress made by the recipient of the emergency certificate toward fulfilling the plan established by the employing district to meet the applicable certification requirements.
4.3 Failure by the employing district to fulfill the conditions set forth in 4.1 and 4.2 above will result in suspension of the emergency certificate. A suspension may be lifted upon fulfillment by the employing district of the conditions set forth in 4.1 and 4.2 above.
5.0 Prior to the expiration of an emergency certificate, the recipient must meet the requirements for issuance of a standard certificate (See 14 DE Admin. Code 1516).
6.0 The Secretary of Education may, upon the written request of the superintendent of a local school district or charter school administrator or other employing authority, review credentials submitted in application for an emergency certificate on an individual basis and grant an emergency certificate to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for an emergency certificate, but whose effectiveness is documented by the local school district or charter school administrator or other employing authority.
7.0 An emergency certificate shall be revoked in the event the educator’s initial, continuing, or advanced license or limited standard, standard, or professional status certificate is revoked in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 1514. An educator is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Professional Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standards Board’s Hearings Procedures and Rules.
1516 Standard Certificate
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a standard certificate, pursuant to 14 Del. C. ' 1220.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Certified” means holding a certificate in a specific content area at designated grade levels.
“Certification” means the issuance of a certificate, which may occur regardless of a recipient’s assignment or employment status.
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del. C., Chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board pursuant to 14 Del. C., § 1203, but does not include substitute teachers.
AExamination of content knowledge@ means a standardized test which measures knowledge in an specific content area.
ALicense@ means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.
AStandard Certificate@ means a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.
AStandards Board@ means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del. C. ' 1201.
AState Board@ means the State Board of Education of the State pursuant to 14 Del. C. ' 104.
3.0 The Department shall issue a standard certificate to an educator who holds a valid Delaware initial, continuing, or advanced license or limited standard, standard, or professional status certificate who has acquired the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, to teach a particular subject or to instruct a particular category of students, or has graduated from a Delaware approved program, or holds a valid and current certificate in the area requested from another state. Educators may hold certificates in more than one area.
3.1 An educator may document the acquisition of the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, to teach a particular subject or to instruct a particular category of students by:
3.1.1 Submitting evidence of having graduated from a Delaware approved educator preparation program; or
3.1.2 Holding a valid and current certificate from another state; or
3.1.3 Achieving a passing score on an examination of content knowledge, such as PRAXIS II. This section is subject to the establishment of passing scores for PRAXIS II examinations by the Department, and their approval by the Professional Standards Board, with concurrence from the State Board of Education.
3.1.3.1 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards in the area, subject, or category in which the standard certificate is to be issued will be accepted in lieu of a passing score on PRAXIS II.
3.1.3.2 In areas, subjects or categories where an examination of content knowledge is neither available nor applicable, the applicant must meet the requirements set forth in the relevant Department regulation governing the issuance of a standard certificate in the area for which a standard certificate is sought.
4.0 An applicant for a standard certificate shall submit evidence of (1) receipt of a bachelors degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university; (2) official transcripts and, if applicable, official scores on the PRAXIS II examination or a notarized copy of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate. If applied for simultaneously with application for an initial license, the applicant shall provide all required documentation for that application in addition to the documentation cited above.
5.0 If an applicant holds a valid initial, continuing, or advanced Delaware license or a limited standard, standard or professional status certificate and is requesting additional standard certificates, only that documentation necessary to demonstrate acquisition of the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education required for the additional standard certificate requested is required.
6.0 This regulation shall apply to all requests for issuance of a standard certificate, except as specifically addressed herein. Educators holding a Professional Status Certificate or a Standard Certificate issued on or before August 31, 2003 shall be issued a Standard Certificate for each area in which they held a Professional Status Certificate or a Standard Certificate. The Department shall also recognize a limited standard or temporary certificate issued prior to August 31, 2003, provided that the educator successfully completes the requirements set forth in the limited standard or temporary certificate. Requirements must be completed by the expiration date of the limited standard certificate.
7.0 A standard certificate is valid regardless of the assignment or employment status of the holder of a certificate or certificates, and is not subject to renewal. It shall be revoked in the event the educator’s initial, continuing, or advanced license or limited standard, standard, or professional status certificate is revoked in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 1514. An educator is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Professional Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standards Board’s Hearing Procedures and Rules.
8.0 The Secretary of Education may, upon the written request of the superintendent of a local school district or charter school administrator or other employing authority, review credentials submitted in application for a standard certificate on an individual basis and grant a standard certificate to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for a standard certificate, but whose effectiveness is documented by the local school district or charter school administrator or other employing authority.
1519 Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification Program
1.0 Content: This regulation shall apply to the alternative routes to licensure and certification program, pursuant to 14 Del. C. §§ 1260 through 1264.
2.0 Definitions: The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.
“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del. C., Chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board pursuant to 14 Del. C., § 1203, but does not include substitute teachers.
“Emergency certificate” means a certificate issued to an educator who holds a valid Delaware initial, continuing, or advanced license, but lacks necessary skills and knowledge to meet certification requirements in a specific content area.
“Examination of general knowledge” means a standardized test which measures general knowledge and essential skills in mathematics or quantitative and verbal skills, including reading and writing.
“Initial license” means the first license issued to an educator that allows an educator to work in a position requiring a license in a Delaware public school.
“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.
“Standard certificate” means a credential issued to verify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill and/or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.
“Standards Board” means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 1201.
“State Board” means the State Board of Education of the State pursuant to 14 Del. C. § 104.
3.0 Candidates seeking participation in the alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program shall be issued an initial license and a standard or emergency certificate or certificates of no more than three years duration. Candidates must:
3.1 hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a major appropriate to the instructional field they desire to teach;
3.2 pass an examination of general knowledge, such as PRAXIS I, or provide an acceptable alternative to the PRAXIS I test scores, as set forth in DE. Admin. Code 1510;
3.3 obtain an acceptable health clearance and an acceptable criminal background check clearance; and
3.4 obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position that requires licensure and certification.
4.0 The Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification Program shall consist of three interrelated but distinct components - a summer institute of intensive study, a practicum experience the first year of teaching, and seminars in teaching during and, immediately following, the first year of teaching.
4.1 A summer institute of approximately 120 instructional (clock) hours completed by the candidate prior to the beginning of his/her teaching assignment. This includes an orientation to the policies, organization and curriculum of the employing school district or charter school, instructional strategies and classroom management and child or adolescent development.
4.1.1 Candidates employed too late to participate in the summer institute will complete the practicum experience and seminars on teaching during the first school year and will participate in the summer institute following their first year of teaching.
4.2 A one-year, full-time practicum experience which includes a period of intensive on-the-job mentoring and supervision beginning the first day in which the candidate assumes full responsibility for a classroom and continuing for a period of thirty (30) weeks.
4.3 Seminars on teaching that provide alternative routes to licensure and certification teachers with approximately 120 instructional (clock) hours during the first year of their teaching assignment and during a one week intensive seminar the following summer.
5.0 Mentoring Support: Mentoring support shall be carried out in accordance with Section 1261 (b) (2) and (3) of 14 Del. C.
6.0 Evaluation/Supervision: Evaluation/supervision shall be conducted as per Section 1261 (b) (2) (3) of 14 Del. C.
7.0 Program Evaluation: Those responsible for alternative routes to certification programs approved by the Standards Board and the State Board shall develop a program evaluation process. The focus of the program evaluation must be to demonstrate the degree to which teachers who complete the program are effective in the classroom.
8.0 The Secretary may implement other alternative routes to teacher licensure and certification programs, provided the programs meet the minimum criteria set forth in this regulation.
1520 Substitute Teacher – RESERVED