DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

FINAL

ORDER

1506 Emergency Certificate

I. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION SUBMITTED

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 1506 Emergency Certificate. The regulation concerns the requirements for certification of educational personnel, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1305(a). It is necessary to amend this regulation in order to clarify the application process and to set forth appropriate timelines. This regulation sets forth the requirements for an Emergency Certificate.

Notice of the proposed amendment of the regulation was published in the Delaware Register of Regulations on March 1, 2016. The notice received written comments from the State Council for Persons with Disabilities. The suggestions that were made were considered by the Professional Standards Board, but no changes were made at this time.

II. FINDINGS OF FACTS

The Professional Standards Board and the State Board of Education find that it is appropriate to amend this regulation to comply with changes in statute.

III. DECISION TO AMEND THE REGULATION

For the foregoing reasons, the Professional Standards Board and the State Board of Education conclude that it is appropriate to amend the regulation. Therefore, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1305(a), the regulation attached hereto as Exhibit "A" is hereby amended. Pursuant to the provision of 14 Del.C. §1305(a), the regulation hereby amended shall be in effect for a period of five years from the effective date of this order as set forth in Section V. below.

IV. TEXT AND CITATION

The text of the regulation amended shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit "A", and said regulation shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code 1506 of the Administrative Code of Regulations of the Professional Standards Board.

V. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDER

The effective date of this Order shall be ten (10) days from the date this Order is published in the Delaware Register of Regulations.

APPROVED BY THE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD THE 7th DAY OF APRIL, 2016

IT IS SO ORDERED this 21st day of April, 2016.

Department of Education

Steven H. Godowsky, Secretary of Education

Approved this 21st day of April, 2016.

State Board of Education

1506 Emergency Certificate

This regulation shall apply to the issuance of an Emergency Certificate, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1221.

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:

“Certified” means holding a certificate in a specific content area at designated grade levels.

“Credentialed” means holding an active license and an active certificate in a specific content area at appropriate grade levels.

“Emergency Certificate” means a temporary credential issued to an individual educator who has obtained employment or an offer of employment with an employing authority and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, but lacks necessary skills and knowledge to immediately meet certification requirements in a specific content area. The temporary credential provides the individual educator with a limited time to meet the requirements for certification in the specific content area.

“Exigent Circumstances” means unanticipated circumstances or circumstances beyond the educator's control, including, but not limited to, serious illness of the educator or a member of his/her immediate family, activation to active military duty, and other serious emergencies which necessitate the educator's temporarily leaving active service.

“Satisfactory Evaluation” means the overall rating of "Highly Effective" or "Effective" on the DPAS-II Ssummative Eevaluation or other Department-approved evaluation system.

3.1 Upon receipt of a completed application from the employing authority, the Department may issue an Emergency Certificate to an individual educator who holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, but who is not eligible for certification in the area of need.

3.1.1 An Emergency Certificate is valid for one school year subject to a limited extension as indicated herein.

3.1.2 The Emergency Certificate is issued for a particular one school year and expires on June 30th unless a limited extension is granted.

3.1.3 The Department may grant a limited extension second-year Emergency Certificate if the individual educator has met the requirements for an extension outlined in Section 6.0 of this regulation.

3.2 An Emergency Certificate is only valid for the individual during their tenure with the employing authority requesting the Certificate unless a transfer is approved as specified in 3.7.

3.3 An Emergency Certificate may not be renewed or extended for a leave of absence.

3.4 An Emergency Certificate may be extended for an exigent circumstances. Extensions for exigent circumstances shall not exceed one (1) year in length.

3.52 Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Emergency Certificate issued to an individual educator in a Skilled and Technical Sciences specific career area is valid for up to six (6) years to provide time for completion of specified college level course work or professional development required for certification.

3.63 Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Emergency Certificate issued to an individual educator in an alternative routes for to teacher licensure and certification program shall be valid for the time specified in 14 Del.C. §1260 and 14 DE Admin. Code 1507 Alternative Routes to Teacher Licensure and Certification.

3.7 Transfer of Emergency Certificates to a New Employing Authority.

3.7.1 Upon application by a new employing authority, the Department may approve the transfer of the Emergency Certificate if the following requirements are met:

3.7.1.1 The new employing authority that hires an individual with a valid Emergency Certificate requests prior to the expiration of the original emergency certificate, the continued approval of the Emergency Certificate through the remainder of the original term or requests an extension.

3.7.1.2 The new employing authority must conduct an independent review of the individual's competency and assume the commitments and responsibilities of an employing authority within this regulation.

3.7.1.3 The new employing authority shall also review the individual's Emergency Certificate written plan and amend as necessary and submit the revised written plan and transfer request for Department approval.

3.8 Extension of Emergency Certificates

3.8.1 The Emergency Certificate may be valid for up to two (2) consecutive school years. An employing authority must request an extension of the Emergency Certificate prior to June 30th.

3.8.2 Emergency Certificates granted an extension shall expire on June 30th of the consecutive school year.

3.8.3 Prior to June 30th, the employing authority shall review the Emergency Certificate and if considered necessary, the employing authority may apply to the Department for an extension for an additional school year.

3.8.4 The Department may grant an extension of the Emergency Certificate if the following requirements are met:

3.8.4.1 The employing authority submits a complete request and report prior to June 30th.

3.8.4.2 The employing authority has established that the individual has made documented progress toward earning the Standard Certificate and has demonstrated continued competence through receiving a satisfactory summative evaluation on the annual DPAS.

3.8.4.2.1 Documented progress toward the Standard Certificate would include but is not limited to evidence of the educator having;

3.8.4.2.1.1 taken the necessary examination of content knowledge, such as the Praxis II test, or

3.8.4.2.1.2 completed requisite coursework or professional development, or

3.8.4.2.1.3 made significant growth toward the necessary degree or certificate.

3.8.4.3 Notwithstanding the above requirements in 3.8.4.2.1, the Department may grant an extension upon a showing of exigent circumstances.

3.9 Notification to Parents

3.9.1 As a condition of the individual receiving an emergency certificate, an employing authority shall within sixty (60) days of the assignment notify the parents of the students within the educator's responsibility of the emergency certification.

3.9.2 The notification may be included in an already established form of communication to parents including but not limited to Highly Qualified Teacher status.

3.9.3 A copy of the employing authority letter shall be on file with the Department.

3.10 An Emergency Certificate shall not be issued more than once to an individual for a specific Standard Certificate.

4.1 The employing authority shall:

4.1.1 Submit to the Department in its request for the issuance of an Emergency Certificate the need for the individual to receive an Emergency Certificate and certify that the employing authority has conducted a meaningful review of the applicant's credentials and found that the individual is competent.

4.1.21 Establish that the proposed recipient of an Emergency Certificate is competent by submitting evidence of the individual's educator’s license and other considerations. The evidence must establish that the employing authority conducted a meaningful review of the individual's competence and may include, but is not limited to, evidence of course work or work experience in the area for which the Emergency Certificate is requested.

4.1.32 Apply for the Emergency Certificate within sixty (60) calendar days of the individual's educator’s hire or new job assignment.

4.1.2.1 Notwithstanding the above, the Department may issue an Emergency Certificate to an employed educator enrolled in an approved alternative route to licensure and certification program.

4.1.3 Support and assist the educator in achieving the skills and knowledge necessary to meet applicable certification requirements.

4.1.4 Set forth a written plan with the application of the Emergency Certificate, verified by the individual and the employing authority. The plan must be designed to support and assist the individual in achieving the skills and knowledge necessary to meet the applicable certification requirements. The written plan is subject to Department approval. The written plan shall contain at a minimum the following:

4.1.4.1 A listing of all the outstanding certification requirements necessary to obtain the standard certificate in the area for which the Emergency Certificate is requested including but not limited to the specific examination of content knowledge such as Praxis II and any required course work, professional development, education or experience; and

4.1.4.2 The specific course work or professional development including the educational institution or provider the individual intends to use to fulfill the requirements; and

4.1.4.3 The anticipated time frame for the completion of the requirements; and

4.1.4.4 A specific listing of how the employing authority shall support and assist the individual in achieving the skills and knowledge necessary and completing the requirements.

4.1.4 Verify that the educator understands the Standard Certificate requirements, the deadline in which to complete requirements, and the expectation to earn a Standard Certificate.

4.2 Failure by the employing authority to fulfill the conditions set forth shall result in denial of the Emergency Certificate.

5.1 At the end of the validity period during which an Emergency Certificate is in effect, if the employing authority intends to request an extension for an additional school year, the employing authority shall file a status report with the Department detailing the individual’s progress which shall:

5.1.1 Establish that the recipient of the Emergency Certificate has demonstrated continued competence through receiving a satisfactory summative evaluation on the annual DPAS.

5.1.2 Document the progress made by the recipient of the Emergency Certificate toward fulfilling the written plan established by the employing authority and approved by the Department to meet the applicable certification requirements and any amendments to the written plan including but not limited to change in courses, providers, or time frames.

5.2 Failure by the employing authority to fulfill the conditions set forth in 5.1 prior to June 30th shall result in the expiration of the Emergency Certificate.

5.1 Any year that an educator holds an Emergency Certificate, the employing authority shall notify parents of the students within the educator’s responsibility. Parents shall be notified within (60) days of the assignment or the start of the school year each year.

5.2 The notification may be included in an already established form of communication to parents including but not limited to Highly Qualified Teacher status.

5.3 The employing authority shall submit a copy of the parent notification to the Department each year.

6.1 Prior to the expiration of an Emergency Certificate, the individual shall meet the requirements for issuance of a Standard Certificate (See 14 Del.C. §1505). If the educator does not meet all Standard Certificate requirements during the first school year, the employing authority may apply for a second-year of the Emergency Certificate in the same area.

6.2 If no action is taken by the employing authority prior to the deadline, an Emergency Certificate automatically expires on June 30th. The Department may issue a second-year Emergency Certificate if the following requirements are met:

6.2.1 The employing authority submits a request for the Emergency Certificate within sixty (60) calendar days of the start of the next consecutive school year.

6.2.2 The employing authority has established that the educator has made documented progress toward earning the Standard Certificate and has demonstrated continued competence through receiving a satisfactory summative evaluation on DPAS-II or another Department-approved evaluation system.

6.2.2.1 Documented progress toward the Standard Certificate would include but is not limited to evidence of the educator having:

6.2.2.1.1 taken the necessary examination of content knowledge, or

6.2.2.1.2 completed requisite coursework or professional development, or

6.2.2.1.3 made significant growth toward the necessary degree or certificate.

6.3 Emergency Certificates that have expired may not be extended. For an employed educator enrolled in an approved alternative route to licensure and certification program, the Department may issue a second-year of the Emergency Certificate if requirements in subsection 6.2.2 have been met.

7.1 Emergency Certificates shall expire on June 30th.

7.2 Emergency Certificates that have been issued for two consecutive school years may not be extended. The educator shall meet the requirements for issuance of a Standard Certificate (See 14 Del.C. §1505).

7.3 Educators holding an active license without a current or valid certificate are not considered credentialed to teach.

7.4 An Emergency Certificate may not be renewed or extended for a leave of absence.

7.5 Notwithstanding the above, the Department may grant an extension upon a showing of exigent circumstances. Extensions for exigent circumstances shall not exceed one (1) year in length.

The Department may approve the transfer of an Emergency Certificate from one employing authority to another if the new employing authority conducts an independent review of the educator’s progress towards a Standard Certificate and assumes the commitments and responsibilities of an employing authority within this regulation.

79.1 An Emergency Certificate shall be revoked in the event the educator's Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License is revoked in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 1514.

79.1.1 An educator is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board.

79.1.2 Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with the Standards Board's Hearings Procedures and Rules.