DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

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

14 DE Admin. Code 1572

PROPOSED

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

1572 Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented

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 1572 Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). It is necessary to amend this regulation in order to update and clarify some of the definitions, requirements and to align title as this certification is required in programs that are identified as specific to students who have been identified as gifted or talented through assessments and other criteria set forth by local school districts or other programs specifically identified by the Department as programs for students who are gifted or talented.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Tuesday, December 2, 2014 to 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 educators employed to teach students meet high standards and have acquired the prescribed general 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 1503? 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.

1572 Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and or Talented

1.0 Content

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 or Talented (Category). This certification is required in programs that are identified as specific to students who have been identified as gifted and or talented through assessments and other criteria set forth by local school districts or other programs specifically identified by the Department as programs for students who are gifted or talented.

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.

12 DE Reg. 785 (12/01/08)

2.0 Definitions

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.

12 DE Reg. 785 (12/01/08)

3.0 Standard Certificate

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 or 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 Holds a Standard Certificate in a subject (content), grade level, or area; and

3.1.34 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.

12 DE Reg. 785 (12/01/08)

4.0 Additional Requirements

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 An educator shall also have satisfied one of the following additional education requirements:

4.1.2 If the educator is applying for a first Standard Certificate 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;

4.1.1 Holding a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major or its equivalent in gifted or talented education, teaching gifted students, or special education with a gifted or talented endorsement or specialization, from a National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) specialty organization recognized educator preparation program or from a state approved educator preparation program where the state approval body employed the appropriate standards; or

4.1.2 Completion of a minimum of fifteen (15) credits or their equivalent in professional development as approved by the Department, with a focus in special education for gifted or talented students or students who are gifted or talented in the following content 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);

4.1.2.5 Practicum or Internship (3 credits).

4.1.3 If the educator is applying for a second Standard 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:

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

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

4.1.3.3 Psychology of Gifted Students (3 credits); and

4.1.3.4 Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (3 credits).

5.0 Past Certification Recognized

The Department shall recognize a Standard Certificate Teacher of Students who are Gifted and Talented previously issued by the Department. A teacher holding a Standard Certificate Teacher of Students who are Gifted and Talented shall be considered certified to instruct the particular category of students specified herein as required by this regulation.

7 DE Reg. 779 (12/01/03)

Renumbered effective 6/1/07 - see Conversion Table

12 DE Reg. 785 (12/01/08)

18 DE Reg. 350 (11/01/14) (Prop.)