DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

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

1522 Elementary School Counselor

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 DE Admin. Code 1522 Elementary School Counselor. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). It is necessary to amend this regulation given that the existing regulation reverted to DE Admin. Code 1505 Standard Certificate in June of 2006. This regulation sets forth the requirements for an Elementary School Counselor.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Wednesday October 31, 2007 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 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 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.

1522 Elementary School Counselor

This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Counselor Elementary School (Required in grades 1 to 6 and valid in a middle level school, grades 5 to 8).

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

3.1 Master's degree from a regionally accredited college or university in an approved program in Elementary School Counseling and,

3.2 A minimum of three years' professional experience in an elementary school setting; or three years of appropriate experience as approved by the Department of Education; or a supervised school counseling internship of one full year in an elementary school setting which is part of a graduate degree program in elementary school counseling, or arranged by the Department of Education. The internship may be completed over a two year period on a half time basis or,

3.3 A Master's degree from a regionally accredited college in any field and,

3.4 A minimum of 27 semester hours of graduate course work in the areas of: Principles and Practices of the Guidance Program, Individual Counseling Skills, Group Counseling Skills, Human Development, Developmental Group Guidance, Individual and Group Testing for Counselors, Supervised Practicum in Elementary School Counseling, Counseling Theory, Consultation, and

3.5 Experience as in 3.2.

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Elementary School Counselor. This certification is required for grades 1 to 6, and is valid in grades 5 to 8 in a Middle Level school.

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.

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as an Elementary School Counselor 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 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.

An educator must also meet the following:

4.1. Has satisfied at least one of the following additional education requirements:

4.1.1 Graduated 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 Masters degree in Elementary School Counseling; or

4.1.2 Graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a Masters degree in any content area and satisfactory completion of 27 semester hours of graduate course work in the areas of:

4.1.2.1 Principles and Practices of the School Counseling Program

4.1.2.2 Individual Counseling Skills

4.1.2.3 Group Counseling Skills

4.1.2.4 Human Development

4.1.2.5 Developmental Group Guidance

4.1.2.6 Individual and Group Testing for Counselors

4.1.2.7 Supervised Practicum in Elementary Counseling

4.1.2.8 Counseling Theory

4.1.2.9 Consultation; and

4.2 Has met at least one of the following experience requirements:

4.2.1 A minimum of three years professional experience in an elementary school setting; or,

4.2.2 A minimum of three years of equivalent experience as approved by the Department of Education; or,

4.2.3 A supervised school counseling internship of one full year in an elementary school setting which is part of a graduate degree program in Elementary School Counseling or arranged by the Department of Education. The internship may be completed over a two year period on a half-time basis.