DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

Education Impact Analysis Pursuant To 14 Del.C. Section 122(d)

1543 Secondary Science Teacher

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 reauthorize regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 1543 Secondary Science Teacher. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). It was necessary to review and amend this regulation in order to provide clarification regarding secondary science curricular areas and the necessity for secondary science teachers to hold the appropriate Standard Certificate in each secondary science curricular area they are teaching. This regulation sets forth the requirements for a Secondary Science Teacher.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Wednesday, October 31, 2012 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.

1543 Secondary Science Teacher

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Secondary Science Teacher. This certification is required for grades 9 to 12 and is valid in a Middle Level school, grades 6 to 8, and may be used in lieu of the Middle Level Science Teacher certification in grades 6 to 8. Certificates issued include in the individual secondary science curricular areas of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Science, Physical Science, and Physics.

1.2 An educator shall hold a Standard Certificate in each secondary science curricular area the educator is teaching, in grades nine (9) to twelve (12).

1.2.1 Notwithstanding the requirements in 1.2, a secondary science teacher who holds a Standard Certificate in each of the secondary science curricular areas within a discrete integrated science course, may teach the course without holding a Standard Certificate Secondary Science Teacher Integrated Science.

1.3 Any Secondary Science Teacher Standard Certificate may be used in lieu of 14 DE Admin. Code 1533 Middle Level Science Teacher for teachers teaching middle level science in grades six (6) to eight (8).

1.24 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.

2.2 The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

“Major or Its Equivalent” means a minimum of thirty (30) semester hours of course work in a particular content area. A major or its equivalent for eligibility for a Standard Certificate for Physical Science includes physics, chemistry, astronomy, space science, engineering, or a related field. A major or its equivalent in any science discipline or related field is acceptable for eligibility for a Standard Certificate for Integrated Science.

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a Secondary Science Teacher in the individual secondary science curricular areas of Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Integrated Science, Physical Science, and Physics 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.

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220, where an examination of content knowledge such as a Praxis™ II examination is applicable and available in the individual secondary science curricular area, the applicant shall achieve a passing score as established by the Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with the concurrence of the State Board for each Standard Certificate issued.