DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

Education 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 conform to the recent Standard Certificate regulation language clarity and consistency shift. This regulation sets forth the requirements for a Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Friday October 31, 2008 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.

1572 Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and Talented

This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for a Teacher of Gifted and Talented Students in programs that are identified as specific to students who have been identified as gifted and talented through assessments and other criteria set forth by local school districts.

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.

In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Teacher of Gifted and Talented Students to an applicant who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or Limited Standard, Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who meets the following requirements:

3.1 Bachelor's degree in education or a content area from a regionally accredited college/university; and,

3.2 A minimum of three years of teaching experience at any pK to 12 level; and,

3.3 Completion of course work in each of the following areas:

3.2.1 Foundations of giftedness, including cultural and socioeconomic equity;

3.2.2 Curriculum design and instructional strategies for gifted students;

3.2.3 Psychology of gifted students; and

3.2.4 Creative and critical thinking skills.

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 Talented. This certification is required in programs that are identified as specific to students who have been identified as gifted and talented through assessments and other criteria set forth by local school districts.

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 a Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted and 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 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.

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:

4.2 If the educator is applying for their 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 3.1.5.1 that must be satisfactorily completed for this standard certificate must at a minimum include the following areas;

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

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

4.2.3 Psychology of Gifted Students (3 credits); and

4.2.4 Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (3 credits).

4.3 If the educator is applying for their 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;

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

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

4.3.3 Psychology of Gifted Students (3 credits); and

4.3.4 Creative and Critical Thinking Skills (3 credits).