DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

FINAL

REGULATORY IMPLEMENTING ORDER

1572 Teachers of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented

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 14 DE Admin. Code 1572 Teachers of Students Who are Gifted And Talented. It was necessary to amend this regulation as part of the 5 year review cycle of certification regulations adopted by the Professional Standards Board and in order to conform to the recent Standard Certificate regulation language clarity and consistency shift. This regulation sets forth the requirements for a teacher of gifted and talented students.

Notice of the proposed amendment of the regulation was published in the News Journal and the Delaware State News on October 1, 2008 in the form hereto attached as Exhibit “A”. The notice invited written comments. Comments were received from the Governor’s Advisory Council for Exceptional Citizens and the State Council for Persons with Disabilities that solely addressed grammar and formatting. The suggested changes have been taken into consideration and the regulation has been subsequently amended.

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.

Decision to Amend 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 regulation amended shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit “B”, and said regulation shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code 1572 of the Administrative Code of 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 6TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2008

FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION:

Valerie A. Woodruff, Secretary of Education

IT IS SO ORDERED THIS 20TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 2008

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

1572 Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented

This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for a Teacher of Gifted and Talented Students in programs that are identified as specific to students who have been identified as gifted and talented through assessments and other criteria set forth by local school districts.

2.1 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.

"License" means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.

"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.

In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Teacher of Gifted and Talented Students to an applicant who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or Limited Standard, 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 in education or a content area from a regionally accredited college/university; and,

3.2 A minimum of three years of teaching experience at any pK to 12 level; and,

3.3 Completion of course work in each of the following areas:

3.2.1 Foundations of giftedness, including cultural and socioeconomic equity;

3.2.2 Curriculum design and instructional strategies for gifted students;

3.2.3 Psychology of gifted students; and

3.2.4 Creative and critical thinking skills.

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented. This certification is required in programs that are identified as specific to students who have been identified as gifted and talented through assessments and other criteria set forth by local school districts.

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.

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented to an educator who has met the following:

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a Limited Standard, 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 If an examination of content knowledge such as Praxis II is not applicable and available, in the area the Standard Certificate is requested, an educator must also meet the following:

4.[1.]2 If the educator is applying for [their a] first Standard [cC]ertificate pursuant to 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate 3.1.5.1 the required 15 credits or their equivalent in professional development required in 14 DE Admin. Code [1505 Standard Certificate] 3.1.5.1 that must be satisfactorily completed for this standard certificate must at a minimum include the following areas;

4.[1.]2.1 Foundations of Giftedness, including Cultural and Socioeconomic Equity (3 credits);

4.[1.]2.2 Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies for Gifted Students (3 credits)[;:]

4.[1.]2.3 Psychology of Gifted Students (3 credits); and

4.[1.]2.4 Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (3 credits).

4.[1.]3 If the educator is applying for [their a] second [sS]tandard Certificate pursuant to 14 DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate 3.1.5, the satisfactory completion of fifteen (15) credits or their equivalent in professional development in the areas of[;:]

4.3.1 Foundations of Giftedness, including Cultural and Socioeconomic Equity (3 credits);

4.3.2 Curriculum Design and Instructional Strategies for Gifted Students (3 credits);

4.3.3 Psychology of Gifted Students (3 credits); and

4.3.4 Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (3 credits).