DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

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

1553 Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education 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 amend regulation 14 DE Admin. Code 1553 Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher. 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 the current required coursework/professional development and Driver’s license requirements. This regulation sets forth the requirements for a Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education 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.

1553 Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher

This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher.

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 Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher to an applicant who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003, and who meets the following requirements:

3.1 Professional Education

3.1.1 A bachelor’s degree in any field from a regionally accredited college or university; and

3.1.1.1 A minimum of twelve (12) semester hours of pedagogy courses, taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it, from a regionally accredited college or university to include:

3.1.1.1.1 Human Development;

3.1.1.1.2 Identifying and Treating Exceptionalities;

3.1.1.1.3 Effective Teaching Strategies; and

3.1.1.1.4 Multicultural Education; and

3.1.1.2 A minimum of nine (9) semester hours, or equivalent in service courses approved by the Department, as indicated below:

3.1.1.2.1 Driver Education, Methods and Materials, 3 semester hours;

3.1.1.2.2 Driver Education, In Car Training, 3 semester hours; and

3.1.1.2.3 Three (3) semester hours selected from the following:

3.1.1.2.3.1 Alcohol and Drug Education;

3.1.1.2.3.2 Current Issues in Driver Education;

3.1.1.2.3.3 Organization, Administration and Supervision of Safety, Driver, and Traffic Safety Education;

3.1.1.2.3.4 Problems in Driver and Safety Education;

3.1.1.2.3.5 Research and Evaluation in Driver and Safety Education;

3.1.1.2.3.6 First Aid;

3.1.1.2.3.7 Teaching Mentally and Physically Challenged Individuals; or

3.1.1.2.3.8 Education for Safe Living.

3.2 Other Requirements.

3.2.1 A valid driver's license.

3.2.2 The applicant’s driving record shall not have more than five (5) points at the time of application.

3.2.3 The applicant’s driver’s license shall not have been suspended, revoked or disqualified in this State or any other jurisdiction for moving violations in the last five years and shall remain valid for the duration of the applicant’s employment under this standard certificate.

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher.

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.

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 Driver Education and Traffic Safety Education Teacher to an educator who has met the following:

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a 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 shall also have met the following:

4.1 Education requirements:

4.1.1 A minimum of twenty-one (21) credits, taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it from a regionally accredited college or university, or their equivalent in professional development approved by the Department in the following areas:

4.1.1.1 Human Development (3 credits);

4.1.1.2 Identifying and Treating Exceptionalities (3 credits);

4.1.1.3 Effective Teaching Strategies (3 credits);

4.1.1.4 Cultural Diversity (3 credits);

4.1.1.5 Driver Education, Methods and Materials (3 credits);

4.1.1.6 Driver Education, In Car Training (3 credits); and

4.1.1.7 Three (3) credits selected from one (1) of the following areas:

4.1.1.7.1 Alcohol and Drug Education (3 credits);

4.1.1.7.2 Current Issues in Driver Education (3 credits);

4.1.1.7.3 Problems in Driver and Safety Education (3 credits);

4.1.1.7.4 First Aid (3 credits);

4.1.1.7.5 Teaching Students with Disabilities (3 credits); or

4.1.1.7.6 Education for Safe Living (3 credits).

4.2 Driver’s License Requirements.

4.2.1 The applicant shall hold a valid driver's license.

4.2.2 The applicant’s driving record shall have no more than five (5) points total from Delaware or any other jurisdiction at the time of application.

4.2.3 The applicant’s driver’s license shall not have been suspended, revoked or disqualified in Delaware or any other jurisdiction in the last five (5) years and the applicant’s driver’s license shall remain valid for the duration of the applicant’s employment under this Standard Certificate.

4.3 The educator shall notify the Department immediately if they fail to meet the Driver’s License Requirements.