DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Section 1205(b) (14 Del.C. §1205(b))

14 DE Admin. Code 1545

PROPOSED

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

1545 Secondary School Counselor

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 regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 1545 Secondary School Counselor. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). It was necessary to review and amend this regulation in order to consider the current course count. This regulation sets forth the requirements for an Secondary School Counselor.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Thursday, December 31, 2015 to Mr. Chris Kenton, Executive Director, Delaware Professional Standards Board, The Townsend Building, 401 Federal Street, Dover, Delaware 19901. Copies of this regulation are available from the above address or may be viewed at the Professional Standards Board Business Office.

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 adopted regulation? There is no additional cost to local school boards for compliance with the regulation.

1545 Secondary School Counselor

Non-regulatory note: Passage on an examination of content knowledge may also be required to obtain this certification. Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220 and 14 DE Admin. Code 1505, an examination of content knowledge is required when applicable and available. An examination of content knowledge is applicable and available when approved by the Professional Standards Board with the concurrence of the State Board of Education. See the Department of Education website for additional information.

1.0 Content

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Secondary School Counselor. This certification is required for grades nine (9) to twelve (12) and is valid in grades six (6) to eight (8) in a Middle Level school. A Middle Level School Counselor must hold either an Elementary School Counselor Standard Certificate or a Secondary School Counselor Standard Certificate.

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.

16 DE Reg. 763 (01/01/13)

2.0 Definitions

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

“CAEP (Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation)” – A nonprofit and nongovernmental agency that accredits educator preparation providers (EPPs), which was created when the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) and the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) merged in 2013.

3.0 Standard Certificate

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Secondary School Counselor 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.

4.0 Additional Requirements

4.1 An educator must also have met the following.

4.21 Has satisfied at least one of the following additional education requirements:

4.21.1 Graduated from an NCATE specialty organization recognized or CAEP educator preparation program unit or from a state approved educator preparation program, where the state approval body employed the appropriate NASDTEC or NCATE national specialty organization standards, offered by a regionally accredited college or university, with a Masters degree in Secondary School Counseling; or

4.21.2 Graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a Masters degree in any content area and satisfactorily completed 3039 credits of graduate course work or the equivalent in professional development as approved by the Department in the areas of:

4.21.2.1 Principles and Practices of the School Counseling Program Introduction to School Counseling & Theories (3 credits);

4.21.2.2 Individual Counseling Skills Human Behavior and Child Development (3 credits);

4.21.2.3 Group Counseling Skills Ethical Issues in School Counseling (3 credits);

4.21.2.4 Human Development College & Career Readiness K-12 (3 credits);

4.21.2.5 Career Development Testing, Measurements, and Research in School Counseling (3 credits);

4.21.2.6 Individual and Group Testing for Counselors The Counselor as Consultant (3 credits);

4.21.2.7 Supervised Practicum in Secondary Counseling Special Education Law & the School Counselor’s Role (3 credits);

4.21.2.8 Counseling Theory Group Counseling (3 credits);

4.21.2.9 Consultation Individual Counseling Skills & Strategies (36 credits); and

4.21.2.10 Ethical Issues in School Counseling Family Counseling (3 credits).

4.1.2.11 Principles and Practices of a School Counseling Program (6 Credits); and

4.3 Has met at least one of the following experience requirements:

4.3.1 A minimum of three years professional experience in a secondary school setting; or,

4.3.2 A minimum of three years of equivalent experience as approved by the Department of Education; or,

4.2.3.3 A supervised school counseling internship clinical experience under the direct supervision of a state certified school counselor of one (1) full year 600 hours in a secondary school setting which is part of a graduate degree program in Secondary School Counseling or arranged by the Department of Education. The internship may be completed over a two (2) year period on a half-time basis.

7 DE Reg. 775 (12/1/03)

11 DE Reg. 756 (12/01/07)

16 DE Reg. 485 (11/01/12)

16 DE Reg. 763 (01/01/13)

5.0 Effective Date of Section 4.0

Section 4.0 of this regulation shall be effective on January 1, 2017.

19 DE Reg. 466 (12/01/15) (Prop.)