DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant to 14 Del.C. Section 122(d)

1550 AgriScience Teacher

A. TYPE OF REGULATORY ACTION REQUESTED

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECT MATTER OF REGULATION

The Professional Standards Board ("Board"), acting in consultation and cooperation with the Department of Education ("Department"), seeks the approval of the State Board of Education to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1550 AgriScience Teacher. The regulation concerns the requirements for a Standard Certificate for AgriScience Teacher. The proposed changes include adding a definition of the term "passing score" to subsection 2.2; adding subsection 3.1.3; and adding Section 4.0 to specify the required examination of content knowledge and passing score for a Standard Certificate for AgriScience Teacher.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before August 31, 2017 to Mr. Chris Kenton, Executive Director, Delaware Professional Standards Board, The Townsend Building, 401 Federal Street, Dover, Delaware 19901. A copy of this regulation may be viewed online at the Registrar of Regulation's website, http://regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml or obtained at the Professional Standards Board's Office, located at the address above.

C. IMPACT CRITERIA

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation will help to improve the quality of the Delaware educator workforce and to improve student performance.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation will help to improve the quality of the Delaware educator workforce and to improve student performance.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure all student's 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 does not change 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 does 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 Department implements the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 relating to certification of educators.

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 is consistent with, and not an impediment to, the implementation of other state educational policies, and 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? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of this amended regulation.

10. What is the cost to the state and to the local school boards of compliance with the adopted regulation? There is no expected cost to the state and to the local school boards of complying with this amended regulation.

1550 AgriScience Teacher

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for AgriScience Teacher. This certification is required for grades 9 to 12, and in grades 6 to 8 in a Middle Level school.

1.2 Except as otherwise provided, the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.

2.1 The definitions set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto, are incorporated herein by reference.

2.2 The following word and term, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Passing Score" means a minimum score as established by the Professional Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with the approval of the State Board of Education.

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as an AgriScience Teacher to an educator who has met the following:

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003; and,

3.1.2 Has met the requirements as set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto.; and

3.1.3 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.

4.1 An educator shall have also met the following:

4.1.1 achieved on the Praxis Subject Assessment - Agriculture (ETS Test # 5701) a Passing Score of 147.