DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

FINAL

REGULATORY IMPLEMENTING ORDER

1581 School Reading Specialist

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 14 DE Admin. Code 1581 School Reading Specialist. 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 provide a current definition, formatting and to consider the current course count. This regulation sets forth the requirements for a School Reading Specialist.

Notice of the proposed amendment of the regulation was published in the Delaware Register of Regulations on November 1, 2012. The notice invited written comments. No written comments were received.

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.

III. 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 "A" 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 "A", and said regulation shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code 1581 of the Administrative Code of Regulations of the Professional Standards Board.

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 DECEMBER, 2012

IT IS SO ORDERED the 20th day of December, 2012.

Department of Education

Mark Murphy, Secretary of Education

Approved this 20th day of December, 2012

State Board of Education

1581 School Reading Specialist

This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Reading Specialist.

2.1 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 and 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.

“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.

“Reading Specialist” means an educator who provides one-on-one or small group, diagnostic, prescriptive teaching of reading, and includes, but is not limited to, Title I reading teachers, reading resource teachers, reading teachers as specified in SB 320, Epilogue §358, and educators who work with teachers in reading and communication skills, including, but not limited to literacy coaches and coordinators, and individuals employed as building or district coordinators of reading or in Reading Cadre positions.

“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.

In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Reading Specialist to an applicant who has a minimum of three (3) years of successful teaching experience with at least two years in the K to 12 classroom, and 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, who has met the following requirements:

3.1 Acquired the prescribed knowledge, skill 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 Obtaining National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification in the area, subject, or category for which a Standard Certificate is requested; or

3.1.2 Graduating from an NCATE specialty organization recognized educator preparation program or from a state approved educator preparation program, where the state approval body employed the appropriate NASDTEC or NCATE specialty organization standards, offered by a regionally accredited college or university, with a Master's degree or its equivalent in Reading; or

3.1.3 Holding a Bachelor's degree plus 30 graduate credits from a regionally accredited college or university or a Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area and a minimum of 24 semester hour credits in graduate level reading covering the following content areas as specified below:

3.1.3.1 Language Development (3 semester hours);

3.1.3.2 Methods in Process Writing or Language Arts (3 semester hours);

3.1.3.3 Assessment and Correction of Reading Difficulties (6 semester hours);

3.1.3.4 Reading in the Content Areas (3 semester hours);

3.1.3.5 Children's or Adolescent Literature Across the Curriculum (3 semester hours);

3.1.3.6 Practicum in Reading to include application of assessment and correction strategies, parent involvement strategies, and experience in working as a reading resource person with staff (6 semester hours); and

3.1.3.7 A minimum of three graduate semester hours from among the following:

3.1.3.7.1 Seminar in Reading Research;

3.1.3.7.2 Emergent Literacy;

3.1.3.7.3 Teaching English as a Second Language; or

3.1.3.7.4 Children's or Adolescent Literature; and

3.2 For applicants applying after December 31, 2005, where a Praxis™ II examination in the area of the Standard Certificate requested is applicable and available, achieving a passing score as established by the Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with the concurrence of the State Board, on the examination; or

3.3 Meeting the requirements for licensure and holding a valid and current license or certificate from another state as a Reading Specialist;

3.3.1 The Department shall not act on an application for certification if the applicant is under official investigation by any state or local authority with the power to issue educator licenses or certifications, where the alleged conduct involves allegations of immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials, until the applicant provides evidence of the investigation’s resolution; or

3.4 Meeting the requirements for a Meritorious New Teacher Candidate Designation adopted pursuant to 14 Del.C §1203.

Educators may hold certificates in more than one area.

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.

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.

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. Reading Specialists, as defined in 2.0, hired prior to July 1, 2006, who do not meet the requirements set forth herein, but who hold an Initial, Continuing or Advanced License; or a Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued prior to August 31, 2003, may be issued a Standard Certificate as a Reading Specialist contingent on their completion of the requirements set forth herein within three (3) years of the effective date of this regulation or their date of employment in the position of Reading Specialist, whichever is later.

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.

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.

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for School Reading Specialist. This certification is required for all School Reading Specialists in Delaware public schools.

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 words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Reading Specialist” means an educator whose responsibility is to improve reading achievement in their assigned school or district position. A Reading Specialist provides one-on-one or small group, diagnostic teaching of reading. Responsibilities may include coaching and leading school reading programs. Reading Specialists’ assignments may include Title I reading teachers, reading resource teachers and educators who work with teachers in reading and communication skills, including, but not limited to literacy coaches and coordinators, and individuals employed as building or district coordinators of reading or in Reading Cadre positions. Reading Specialists may also serve as a resource in reading and writing for educational support personnel, administrators, teachers, and the community, provide professional development based on historical and current literature and research, work collaboratively with other professionals to build and implement reading programs for individuals and groups of students, and serve as advocates for students who struggle with reading.

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

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a 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.

An educator must also have met the following additional requirements:

4.1 Education requirements:

4.1.1 An educator shall also have satisfied at least one (1) of the following additional education requirements:

4.1.1.1 A Master's degree or its equivalent from a regionally accredited college or university in Reading offered by an NCATE specialty organization recognized educator preparation program or state approved educator preparation program where the state approval body employed the appropriate NASDTEC or NCATE specialty organization standards; or

4.1.1.2 Completion of either a Bachelor's degree plus (30) graduate level credit hours or a Master’s degree, from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area; and

4.1.1.2.1 The successful completion of twenty-four (24) graduate level credit hours in the following content areas:

4.1.1.2.1.1 Assessment and Instruction in Writing (3 credits);

4.1.1.2.1.2 Assessment and Instruction in Reading (6 credits);

4.1.1.2.1.3 Practicum in Reading to include application of strategies in assessment, instruction and parent involvement (6 credits);

4.1.1.2.1.4 Literacy in the Content Areas (3 credits);

4.1.1.2.1.5 Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits); and either

4.1.1.2.1.6 Literacy Acquisition (3 credits); or

4.1.1.2.1.7 Coaching Adult Learners (3 credits).

4.2 Experience requirements:

4.2.1 An educator must have a minimum of three (3) years of teaching experience.

8 DE Reg. 899 (12/01/04)