DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

1598 Delaware Professional Development Standards

A. Type of Regulatory Action Requested

New 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 adopt regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 1598 Delaware Professional Development Standards. The Department of Education has encouraged the adoption of this regulation in order establish State-wide expectations for professional development and to meet one of many Delaware Race To The Top pledges. This regulation sets forth the standards for educator’s professional development in Delaware.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Wednesday, June 1, 2011 to Mr. Charlie Michels, 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 adopted regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The adopted 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 adopted regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The adopted 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 adopted regulation help to ensure that all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The adopted regulation addresses educator certification, not students’ health and safety.

4. Will the adopted regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The adopted regulation addresses educator certification, not students’ legal rights.

5. Will the adopted regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision-makers at the local board and school level? The adopted regulation will preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level.

6. Will the adopted regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The adopted 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 adopted 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 adopted 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.

1598 Delaware Professional Development Standards

The National Staff Development Counsel (NSDC) Standards for Staff Development connect professional development and student learning, and acknowledge that all educators have a responsibility to learn in order to improve student performance.

In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1205(b), the NSDC Standards are adopted as Delaware's Professional Development standards. The NSDC Standards shall serve as the foundation for professional development for Delaware educators.

2.1 Professional Development that improves the learning of all students:

2.1.1 Organizes adults into learning communities whose goals are aligned with those of the school and district.

2.1.2 Requires skillful school and district leaders who guide continuous instructional improvement.

2.1.3 Requires resources to support adult learning and collaboration.

3.1 Professional Development that improves the learning of all students:

3.1.1 Uses disaggregated student data to determine adult learning priorities, monitor progress, and help sustain continuous improvement.

3.1.2 Uses multiple sources of information to guide improvement and demonstrate its impacts.

3.1.3 Prepares educators to apply research to decision making.

3.1.4 Uses learning strategies appropriate to the intended goal.

3.1.5 Applies knowledge about human learning and change.

3.1.6 Provides educators with the knowledge and skills to collaborate.

4.1 Professional Development that improves the learning of all students:

4.1.1 Prepares educators to understand and appreciate all students, create safe, orderly, and supportive learning environments, and hold high expectations for their academic achievement.

4.1.2 Deepens educators' content knowledge, provides them with research-based instructional strategies to assist students in meeting rigorous academic standards, and prepares them to use various types of classroom assessments appropriately.

4.1.3 Provides educators with knowledge and skills to involve families and other stakeholders appropriately.