Department of Education

Professional Standards Board

324 Certification Driver Education And Traffic Safety Teacher

Statutory Authority: Section 122(D) (14 Del.C. §122(D)) 14 Delaware Code 324

PROPOSED

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant To

14 Del.C. Section 122(D)

324 Certification Driver Education And Traffic Safety Teacher

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 324 Standard Certificate Driver Education and Traffic Safety Teacher. 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 regarding the licensure and certification of educators, and to update the course requirements for the position. There are no approved educator preparation programs in Delaware for Driver Education teachers, and the programs previously offered in surrounding states have largely been eliminated. Therefore, reference to approved educator preparation program in Driver Education and Traffic Safety Teacher has been eliminated. The option of fulfilling the requirements for the position through DOE approved in-service programs has been added, to address the scarcity of course offerings at colleges and universities. The regulation will be renumbered 1564 to denote its movement to the Professional Standards Board portion of the Department of Education regulations. It will also be renamed Standard Certificate Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher to make it consistent with other regulations for standard certificates for educators.

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 new 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.

324 Certification Driver Education And Traffic Safety Education Teacher

Effective July 1, 1993

1.0 The following shall be required for the Standard License for grades 9-12

1.1 Bachelor's degree from an accredited college and,

1.2 Professional Education

1.2.1 Completion of an approved teacher preparation program in Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education or,

1.2.2 A Standard Delaware Teacher's License or,

1.2.3 A minimum of 24 semester hours to include Human Development, Methods of Teaching Driver Education, Identifying/Treating Exceptionalities, Effective Teaching Strategies, Multicultural Education, and student teaching at the secondary (9-12) level and,

1.2.3.1 A valid Delaware driver's license or approval by the Delaware Department of Education and,

1.2.4 Specific Teaching Field

1.2.4.1 A College Major in Driver Education/Traffic Safety Education or,

1.2.4.2 Completion of an approved teacher preparation program in Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education or,

1.2.4.3 A minimum of 12 semester hours as indicated below:

1.2.4.3.1 Required: Driver Education - Methods and Materials -3 semester hours, Driver Education - In-Car Training -3 semester hours, General Safety Education -3 semester hours.

1.2.4.3.2 Elective: 3 semester hours selected from the following:

1.2.4.3.2.1 Alcohol and/or Drug Education, * Motorcycle

1.2.4.3.2.2 Safety Education, Psychology of Accident Prevention,

1.2.4.3.2.3 Organization/Administration/Supervision of Safety, Driver, and/or Traffic Safety Education,

1.2.4.3.2.4 Problems in Driver/Safety Education, First Aid,

1.2.4.3.2.5 Research and Evaluation in Driver/Safety Education, Traffic Engineering, Traffic Law and Enforcement, Principles of Accident Prevention/Safety, * Driving Simulation

1.2.4.3.2.6 Instructional Methods. * Multiple Car and Driving Range Instructional Methods and School Transportation.

* If assigned to teach on driver education equipment designated above, 3 semester hours of course work will be required as preparation for doing so.

2.0 Licenses that may be issued for this position include Standard and Limited Standard.

2.1 The Limited Standard License may be issued upon the request of a Delaware public school for a teacher employed for this position who needs only the 3 semester hour elective course required in 1.2.5.

1564 Standard Certificate Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher

1.0 Content:

This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher.

2.0 Definitions:

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, and/or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.

3.0 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education 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 Professional Education.

3.1.1 A bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university; and

3.1.3.1 A minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of pedagogy courses, taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it, from a regionally accredited college or university to include:

3.1.3.1.1 Human Development;

3.1.3.1.2 Identifying/Treating Exceptionalities;

3.1.3.1.3 Effective Teaching Strategies; and

3.1.3.1.4 Multicultural Education; and

3.1.3.2 A minimum of nine (9) semester hours, or equivalent in-service courses approved by the Department, as indicated below:

3.1.3.2.1 Driver Education - Methods and Materials -3 semester hours;

3.1.3.2.2 Driver Education - In-Car Training -3 semester hours; and

3.1.3.2.3 Three (3) semester hours selected from the following:

3.1.3.2.3.1 Alcohol and/or Drug Education;

3.1.3.2.3.2 Current Issues in Driver Education;

3.1.3.2.3.3 Organization/Administration/Supervision of Safety, Driver, and/or Traffic Safety Education;

3.1.3.2.3.4 Problems in Driver/Safety Education;