department of education
Professional Standards Board
Errata
PUBLIC NOTICE
Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant To 14 Del.C. Section 122(D)
1526 Standard Certificate English to Speakers of Other Languages
A. Type of Regulatory Action Requested
Amendment to Existing Regulation
B. Synopsis of Subject Matter of Regulation
The Professional Standards Board, acting in cooperation and collaboration with the Department of Education, seeks the consent of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1526 Standard Certificate English to Speakers of Other Languages. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). It is necessary to amend this regulation to align it with changes in statute. The passage of PRAXIS™ II, a test of content knowledge, is now required, where applicable and available, in addition to academic preparation for the issuance of a Standard Certificate. Definitions were added, and course requirements were revised to reflect current practice in the Education of English Language Learners.
C. Impact Criteria
1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation addresses student achievement by establishing standards for the issuance of a standard certificate to educators who have 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 to help ensure that students are instructed by educators who are highly qualified.
2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation helps to ensure that all teachers employed to teach students meet high standards and have 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.
3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses educator certification, not students’ health and safety.
4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses educator certification, not students’ legal rights.
5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level? The amended regulation will preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level.
6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation will not place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels.
7. Will decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The decision-making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated rests with the Professional Standards Board, in collaboration with the Department of Education, and with the consent of the State Board of Education.
8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies? The amended regulation will be consistent with, and not an impediment to, the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts and social studies.
9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the amended regulation? 14 Del.C. requires that we promulgate this regulation.
10. What is the cost to the state and to the local school boards of compliance with the amended regulation? There is no additional cost to local school boards for compliance with the regulation.
1526 Standard Certificate English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) Teachers
1.0 Content
This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for English to Speakers of Other Languages Teachers (required for grades K to 12).
7 DE Reg. 775 (12/1/03)
2.0 Definitions
The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:
“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 person licensed and certified by the State under 14 Del.C. §1202 to engage in the practice of instruction, administration or other related professional support services in Delaware public schools, including charter schools, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Standards Board approved by the State Board. The term ‘educator’ does not include substitute teachers.
“Examination of Content Knowledge” means a standardized test which measures knowledge in a specific content area, such as PRAXIS™ II.
“Fifteen (15) Credits or Their Equivalent in Professional Development” means college credits or an equivalent number of hours, with one (1) credit equating fifteen (15) hours, taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it, from a regionally accredited college or university of a professional development provided approved by the employing school district or charter school.
“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.
“License” means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.
“Major or Its Equivalent” means a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of course work in a particular content area.
“NASDTEC” means The National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. The organization represents professional standards boards, commissions and departments of education in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Dependent Schools, the U.S. Territories, New Zealand, and British Columbia, which are responsible for the preparation, licensure, and discipline of educational personnel.
“NCATE” means The National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, a national accrediting body for schools, colleges, and departments of education authorized by the U.S. Department of Education.
“Standard Certificate” means a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill, 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.
“Valid and Current License or Certificate from Another State” means a current full or permanent certificate or license issued by another state. It does not include temporary, emergency or expired certificates or licenses issued from another state.
3.0 Standard Certificate
In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as an English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher to an applicant who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who meets the following requirements:
3.1 Bachelor's degree from an regionally accredited college or university and,
3.2 Professional Education
3.2.1 Completion of an approved teacher education program in English to Speakers of Other Languages Teacher (ESOL) or,
3.2.2 A minimum of 24 semester hours to include Human Development, Methods of Teaching Elementary Language Arts, or English, or Foreign Languages; Identifying and Treating Exceptionalities, Effective Teaching Strategies, Multicultural Education, and student teaching, and,
3.3 Specific Teaching Field
3.3.1 Major in English to Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) or,
3.3.2 Completion of an approved teacher education program in English to Speaks of Other Languages (ESOL), or,
3.3.3 Completion of an approved teacher education program in English, Foreign Language, or Elementary Education, with specific courses in: Second Language Acquisition or Psycholinguistics, 3 semesters hours, Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language, or English as a Second Dialect, 3 semester hours, Structure of the English Language, 3 semester hours, Second Language Testing, 3 semester hours, Ethnic Studies or Multicultural Education, 3 semester hours, and
3.3.4 Successful completion of the intermediate level of a foreign language. This requirement may be satisfied by a Department of Education approved proficiency test.
4.0 Effective Date
This regulation shall be effective through June 30, 2006 only. Applicants who apply for a Standard Certificate as a Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages after that date must comply with the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1516.
4.0 Multiple Certificates
Educators may hold certificates in more than one area.
5.0 Application Requirements
An applicant for a Standard Certificate shall submit:
5.1 Official transcripts; and
5.2 Official scores on the Praxis II examination if applicable and available; or
5.3 Evidence of passage of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards Certificate, if applicable; or
5.4 An official copy of the out of state license or certification, if applicable.
5.5 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.
6.0 Application Procedures for License Holders
If an applicant holds a valid Initial, Continuing, or Advanced Delaware License; or a Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued prior to August 31, 2003 and is requesting additional Standard Certificates, only that documentation necessary to demonstrate acquisition of the prescribed knowledge, skill or education required for the additional Standard Certificate requested is required.
7.0 Effect of Regulation
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 Continuing License upon the expiration of their current Professional Status Certificate or Standard Certificate. The Standard Certificate for each area in which they held a Professional Status Certificate or a Standard Certificate shall be listed on the Continuing License or the Advanced License. The Department shall also recognize a Limited Standard Certificate issued prior to August 31, 2003, provided that the educator successfully completes the requirements set forth in the prescription letter received with the Limited Standard Certificate. Requirements must be completed by the expiration date of the Limited Standard Certificate, but in no case later than December 31, 2008.
8.0 Validity of a Standard Certificate
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 whose license or certificate is revoked 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.
9.0 Secretary of Education Review
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.
