department of education

Professional Standards Board

Sections 1260-1264 (14 Del.C. §§1260-1264)

14 DE Admin. Code 1519

PUBLIC NOTICE

proposed

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant

to 14 Del.C. Section 122(D)

1519 Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification

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 approval of the State Board of Education to amend regulation 1519 Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification. It is necessary to revise this regulation to align it with changes in statute and to correct some discrepancies in the existing regulation. This regulation concerns the organization and operation of the alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program, which provides a vehicle for individuals who hold a bachelor’s degree in a content area appropriate to secondary education to participate in coursework and other experiences necessary to be eligible for teacher licensure and certification in critical needs areas while serving as a teacher in a Delaware school district. The word “to” in the title and elsewhere in the regulation was changed to “for”. In Section 2.0, the definition of “educator” was changed, and definitions for “examination of content knowledge” and “major or its equivalent” were added. Clarification of the issuance of an Initial License and Emergency Certificate conditioned on continued enrollment in the program was inserted in Section 3.0. Time requirements for the passage of PRAXIS™ I and II were adjusted to comply with changes in statute. Section 6.0 dealing with evaluation and supervision was revised. New sections 7.0, 8.0, 9.0, and 10.0 were added to address licensure and certification recommendations and the candidates’ right to a hearing. Sections 7.0 and 8.0 were renumbered 11.0 and 12.0.

C. Impact Criteria

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The amended regulation concerns educator licensure and certification, not student achievement. The regulation will assist well-qualified individuals in becoming qualified to teach in critical needs areas.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The amended regulation helps ensure that all educators demonstrate high standards for the issuance of an initial license and a standard certificate.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses educator licensure and certification, not students’ health and safety issues.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses educator licensure and 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 new regulation? There is no additional cost to local school boards for compliance with the regulation.

1519 Alternative Routes to for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program

1.0 Content

This regulation shall apply to the Alternative Routes to for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1260 through 1264.

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall

have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Coherent Major” means a major in an area appropriate to the instructional field.

“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.

“Educator” means a public school employee who holds a license issued under the provisions of 14 Del.C. Chapter 12, and includes teachers and administrators, and as otherwise defined by the Standards Board and the State Board pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1203, but does not include substitute teachers. person licensed and certified by the State under Chapter 12 of 14 Del.C. 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, but does not include substitute teachers.

“Emergency Certificate” means a certificate issued to an educator who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, but lacks necessary skills and knowledge to meet certification requirements in a specific content area.

“Examination of Content Knowledge” means a standardized State test of subject matter knowledge which measures knowledge in a specific content area, such as PRAXIS™ II.

“Examination of General Knowledge” means a standardized test which measures general knowledge and essential skills in mathematics or quantitative and verbal skills, including reading and writing, such as PRAXIS™ I, which for the purposes of this regulation, means the State Basic Skills Test.

“Initial License” means the first license issued to an educator that allows an educator to work in a position requiring a license in a Delaware public school.

“Major or Its Equivalent” means no fewer than thirty (30) credit hours in a content area.

“Secretary” means the Secretary of the Delaware Department of Education.

“Standard Certificate” means a credential issued to verify 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.

“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.

3.0 Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program Candidates

Candidates seeking participation in the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program shall be issued an Initial License of no more than three (3) years duration conditioned on continued enrollment in the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program and a Standard or an Emergency Certificate or Certificates of no more than three years duration. Candidates must:

3.1 Hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in a coherent major, or its equivalent, appropriate to the instructional field they desire to teach;

3.2 Pass an examination of general knowledge, such as PRAXIS™ I, or provide an acceptable alternative to the PRAXIS™ I test scores, as set forth in DE Admin. Code 1510, within the period of time from the date of hire to the end of the next consecutive fiscal year;

3.3 Pass an examination of content knowledge, such as PRAXIS™ II, in the instructional field they desire to teach, if applicable and available, within the period of time from the date of hire to the end of the next fiscal year;

3.34 Obtain an acceptable health clearance and an acceptable criminal background check clearance; and

3.45 Obtain and accept an offer of employment in a position that requires licensure and certification.

4.0 Content of the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program

The Alternative Routes to for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program shall consist of: three interrelated but distinct components: a summer institute of intensive study, a practicum experience the first year of teaching, and seminars in teaching during, and, immediately following, the first year of teaching.

4.1 A summer institute of approximately 120 instructional (clock) hours completed by the candidate prior to the beginning of his/her teaching assignment. This includes an orientation to the policies, organization and curriculum of the employing school district or charter school, instructional strategies and classroom management and child or adolescent development.

4.1.1 Candidates employed too late to participate in the summer institute will complete the practicum experience and seminars on teaching during the first school year and will participate in the summer institute following their first year of teaching.

4.2 A one-year, full-time practicum experience which includes a period of intensive on-the-job mentoring and supervision beginning the first day in which the candidate assumes full responsibility for a classroom and continuing for a period of thirty (30) weeks.

4.3 Seminars on teaching that provide alternative routes to licensure and certification teachers with approximately 120 200 instructional (clock) hours or equivalent professional development during the first year of their teaching assignment and during a one week an intensive seminar the following summer. Content shall include curriculum, student development and learning, and the classroom and the school.

7 DE Reg. 161 (8/1/03)

5.0 Mentoring Support

Mentoring support shall be carried out in accordance with Section 1261 (b) (2) and (3) of 14 Del.C. 14 DE Admin. Code 1502.

7 DE Reg. 161 (8/1/03)

6.0 Evaluation/Supervision Supervision and Evaluation

Evaluation/supervision shall be conducted as per Section 1261 (b) (2) (3) of 14 Del. C. Teachers enrolled in the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program shall be observed and formally evaluated by a certified evaluator using the state approved evaluation system at least once during the first ten (10) weeks in the classroom, and a minimum of two (2) additional times within the next twenty (20) weeks. Evaluations shall be no more than two (2) months apart.

7.0 Recommendation for Licensure and Certification

Upon completion of the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program, the certified evaluator shall prepare a summative evaluation report for the teacher participating in the Program. The evaluation report shall include a recommendation as to whether or not a license shall be issued. The evaluation report and license recommendation shall be submitted to the Department. A copy of the evaluation report and license recommendation should be issued to the candidate twenty (20) days before submission to the Department.

8.0 Issuance of License

If the evaluation report recommends approval of the candidate for licensure, the Department shall issue an Initial License valid for the balance of the three (3) year term, if the participant has completed the Program in less than three (3) years, or a Continuing License, if the three (3) year term of the Initial License has expired, and shall issue the appropriate Standard Certificate or Certificates.

Candidates who receive a recommendation of ‘disapproved’ shall not be issued an Initial

License and Standard Certificate by the Department, and may not continue in the Alternative Routes for Licensure and Certification Program.

9.0 Recommendation of “Disapproved”

Candidates who receive a recommendation of “disapproved” may petition the Department for approval of additional opportunities to participate in the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program. Within fifteen (15) days of receipt of the evaluation report and the certification recommendation, a candidates disagreeing with the recommendation may submit the the evaluator written materials documenting the reasons that the candidate believes a license should be awarded. The evaluator shall forward all documentation submitted by the candidate, along with the evaluation report and recommendation concerning licensure and certification. The Secretary or his or her designee shall review the evaluation report, the licensure and certification recommendation, and any documentation supplied by the candidate and make a determination with respect to licensure and certification.

10.0 Right to a Hearing

A teacher participating in the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program who is denied a license and certificate may appeal the decision, and is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standard Board=s Hearing Procedures and Rules.

7.0 11.0 Program Evaluation

Those responsible for alternative routes to certification Programs approved by the Standards Board and the State Board shall develop a Program evaluation process. The focus of the Program evaluation must be to demonstrate the degree to which teachers who complete the Program are effective in the classroom.

8.0 12.0 Additional Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification Programs

The Secretary may implement other Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification Programs, provided the Programs meet the minimum criteria set forth in this regulation.