DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Section 1205(b) (14 Del.C. §1205(b))

14 DE Admin. Code 1583

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

1583 School Psychologist

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 1583 School Psychologist. Amendments to this regulation were made to clear up some language under additional requirements necessary to become a School Psychologist. This regulation sets forth the requirements for a School Psychologist.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on Friday, October 30, 2015 to Mr. Chris Kenton, 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.

1583 School Psychologist

1.0 Content

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the requirements for a Standard Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for School Psychologist. This certification is required for all School Psychologists providing services to children within the Delaware public school system.

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.

14 DE Reg. 562 (12/01/10)

2.0 Definitions

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:

“Internship” means a supervised, culminating, comprehensive field experience, completed at or near, the end of formal training, through which school psychology candidates have the opportunity to integrate and apply professional knowledge and skills acquired in prior courses and practica, as well as to acquire new competencies consistent with training program goals.

14 DE Reg. 562 (12/01/10)

3.0 Standard Certificate

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue a Standard Certificate as a School Psychologist to an educator who has met the following:

3.1.1 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,

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.

14 DE Reg. 562 (12/01/10)

4.0 Additional Requirements

4.1 An educator shall also have satisfied at least one (1) of the following additional education and internship requirement Options:

4.1.1 NASP or APA School Psychology Degree:

4.1.1.1 Has successfully completed an organized graduate level program of study in “School Psychology” offered by a regionally accredited college or university and approved by the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP) or the American Psychological Association (APA), culminating in an Masters with an additional Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree or its equivalent or a Doctoral degree in School Psychology; and

4.1.1.2 Has successfully completed a supervised internship.

4.1.2 NCSP Certificate:

4.1.2.1 Holds a valid Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Certificate from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

4.1.3 License or certificate from other state:

4.1.3.1 Holds a valid and current license or certificate from another state in school psychology.

14 DE Reg. 562 (12/01/10)

5.0 Internship

An internship must be in an institution or agency approved by the Department or the applicant’s graduate program.

14 DE Reg. 562 (12/01/10)

6.0 Emergency Certificate

An Emergency Certificate for a School Psychologist is not available.

8 DE Reg. 448 (09/01/04)