DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Sections 1203 and 1205(b) (14 Del.C. §§1203 & 1205(b))

14 DE Admin. Code 1561

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §122(d)

1561 Bilingual Teacher

A. TYPE OF REGULATORY ACTION REQUESTED

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECT MATTER OF REGULATION

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203 and 1205(b), the Professional Standards Board ("Board"), acting in consultation and cooperation with the Delaware Department of Education ("Department"), developed amendments to 14 DE Admin. Code 1561 Bilingual Teacher. The regulation concerns the requirements for a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220. The proposed amendments include clarifying Section 1.0; adding defined terms to Section 2.0; clarifying the requirements for issuing a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate in Section 3.0; specifying the education, knowledge, and skill requirements for obtaining a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate in Section 4.0; specifying the application requirements in Section 5.0; adding Section 6.0, which concerns the validity of a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate; adding Section 7.0, which concerns disciplinary actions; adding Section 8.0, which concerns requests for the Secretary of Education to review standard certificate applications; and adding Section 9.0, which concerns recognizing past certificates that were issued by the Department.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before May 4, 2021 to the Department of Education, Office of the Secretary, Attn: Regulation Review, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901 or to DOEregulations.comment@doe.k12.de.us. A copy of this regulation may be viewed online at the Registrar of Regulation's website, http://regulations.delaware.gov/services/current_issue.shtml or obtained at the Department of Education's Office of the Secretary, located at the address above.

C. IMPACT CRITERIA

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The education, knowledge, and skill requirements in Section 4.0 are designed to improve the quality of the educator workforce, which will help to improve student achievement.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The education, knowledge, and skill requirements in Section 4.0 are designed to improve the quality of the educator workforce, which will help to ensure students in Delaware public schools receive an equitable education.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses a standard certificate for educators and is not designed to help ensure students' health and safety is protected.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses a standard certificate for educators and is not designed to help ensure students' legal rights are respected.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision-makers at the local board and school level? The amended regulation does not change authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level. By statute (14 Del.C. §1224), a school district or charter school may request that the Secretary of Education review the credentials of an applicant who does not meet the requirements for a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate but whose effectiveness is documented by the district or school. Proposed Section 8.0 is consistent with the statute.

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 does not place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels. The application requirements in Section 5.0 apply to individual applicants.

7. Will decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The Department implements the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 relating to licensure and certification of educators.

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 is consistent with, and not an impediment to, the implementation of other state educational policies, and 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? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of this amended regulation.

10. What is the cost to the state and to the local school boards of compliance with the amended regulation? There is no expected cost to the state and to the local school boards of complying with this amended regulation.

1561 Bilingual Teacher

1.0 Content

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of a Standard Certificate, Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate (Category) pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a), for Bilingual Teacher (Category).

1.1.1 This certification Standard Certificate is required for an educator Educator within charter school and district-identified bilingual classrooms or bilingual programs for grades K to 12 that are identified to serve students who are English Language Learners or immersion program students in Delaware public schools.

1.1.2 This certification The Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate is a category certificate Standard Certificate and does not certify an educator Educator to practice in a particular area or teach a particular subject. A category certificate Standard Certificate only establishes that an educator Educator has met the prescribed knowledge, skill, or education education, knowledge, or skill to instruct a particular category of students specified. This certification The Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate is limited to the specific category of teaching students who are English Language Learners or immersion program students.

1.1.3 This certification may not be issued alone and an educator shall hold at least one subject or area certification An Educator shall hold at least one content area Standard Certificate.

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.

20 DE Reg. 447 (12/01/16)

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:

“Department” means the Delaware Department of Education.

“Educator” means a person licensed and certified by the State under 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 to engage in the practice of instruction, administration or other related professional support services in Delaware public schools, including charter schools, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Professional Standards Board and approved by the State Board of Education. The term ‘educator’ does not include substitute teachers.

"Employing Authority" means any entity which employs educators, and includes, but is not limited to, school districts, charter schools, boards of directors, and management companies.

“Immorality” means conduct which is inconsistent with the rules and principles of morality expected of an educator and may reasonably be found to impair an educator’s effectiveness by reason of the educator’s unfitness or otherwise.

“License” means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.

“Passing score Score” means a minimum score as established by the Standards Board, in consultation with the Department and with the approval of the State Board of Education.

“Regionally Accredited” means educational accreditation by a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education offered by the institutions of higher education it accredits, including Middle States Commission on Higher Education.

“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.

“Standards Board” means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1201.

"Target language Language" means, for the purpose of this regulation, the world language of the bilingual classroom or bilingual program.

"Valid and Current License or Certificate" means a current full or permanent certificate or license issued by another state or jurisdiction. This means the educator is fully credentialed by having met all of the requirements for full licensure or certification in another state or jurisdiction and is in good standing in that state or jurisdiction. It does not include temporary, emergency, conditional certificates of eligibility or expired certificates or licenses issued from another state or jurisdiction.

20 DE Reg. 447 (12/01/16)

3.0 Issuance of a Standard Certificate

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

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or a Limited Standard, License or a Standard or Professional Status Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003; and, 2003 and meets the requirements set forth in Section 4.0 of this regulation; or

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 Has met the requirements for licensure and holds a Valid and Current License or Certificate in bilingual education.

3.1.3 Holds a Standard Certificate in a subject or area; and

3.1.4 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation.

3.2 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the Department shall not act on an application for a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate if the applicant is under official investigation by any national, state, or local authority with the power to issue educator licenses or certifications. The Department shall not act where the allegations include but are not limited to conduct such as Immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty, or falsification of credentials until the applicant provides evidence of the investigation’s resolution.

20 DE Reg. 447 (12/01/16)

4.0 Additional Prescribed Education, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements

4.1 An educator shall also have satisfied each of the following requirements:

4.1.1 Demonstrated oral and written proficiency in English by:

4.1.1.1 Completion of a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university that is located in the United States or in a permanently inhabited territory of the United States in which the majority of courses were taught and assessed in the English language; or

4.1.1.2 Achieving a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines on:

4.1.1.2.1 the ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in English, and

4.1.1.2.2 the ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) in English.

4.1.2 Demonstrated oral and written proficiency in the target language of the bilingual classroom or bilingual program by:

4.1.2.1 Achieving a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines on the ACTFL OPI in the target language, and

4.1.2.2 Achieving a passing score on the ACTFL WPT in the target language.

4.1.2.2.1 For the purposes of subsection 4.1.2.2 of this regulation, a passing score shall be:

4.1.2.2.1.1 For tests using the Roman alphabet, achieving a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

4.1.2.2.1.2 For tests using a non-Roman alphabet, achieving a minimum level of Advanced Low based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

4.1.3 Completion of either:

4.1.3.1 A bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university with a major or its equivalent in bilingual education from an educator preparation program approved or recognized by National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), or a state where the state approval body employed the appropriate standards; or

4.1.3.2 A minimum of fifteen (15) credits or the equivalent thereof in professional development as approved by the Department in the following content areas:

4.1.3.2.1 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits);

4.1.3.2.2 Second Language Acquisition (3 credits);

4.1.3.2.3 Teaching Literacy for English Language Learners (3 credits);

4.1.3.2.4 Second Language Testing (3 credits); and

4.1.3.2.5 Structure of the English Language (3 credits).

4.1 An applicant shall have satisfied the requirements in subsections 4.1.1 through 4.1.3.

4.1.1 The applicant shall have satisfied one of the following education requirements:

4.1.1.1 Obtained and currently maintain an English as a New Language certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or

4.1.1.2 Earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a Regionally Accredited college or university with a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in bilingual education from an educator preparation program approved or recognized by the National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP), or a state where the state approval body employed the appropriate standards; or

4.1.1.3 Satisfactorily completed an alternative routes for licensure or certification program to teach English Learners as provided in 14 Del.C. §§1260 - 1266; or

4.1.1.4 Satisfactorily completed a Department-approved educator preparation program in bilingual education; or

4.1.1.5 Earned a bachelor's degree from a Regionally Accredited college or university in any content area and satisfactorily completed 15 college credits or the equivalent number of hours with one credit equating to 15 hours taken either as part of or in addition to a degree program from a Regionally Accredited college or university or a professional development provider approved by the Department in the following areas:

4.1.1.5.1 Methods of Teaching English as a Second Language (3 credits);

4.1.1.5.2 Second Language Acquisition (3 credits);

4.1.1.5.3 Teaching Literacy for English Learners (3 credits);

4.1.1.5.4 Second Language Testing (3 credits); and

4.1.1.5.5 Structure of the English Language (3 credits).

4.1.2 The applicant shall have demonstrated oral and written proficiency in English by satisfying one of the following requirements:

4.1.2.1 Earned a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from a Regionally Accredited college or university that is located in the United States or in a permanently inhabited territory of the United States in which the majority of courses were taught and assessed in the English language; or

4.1.2.2 Achieved a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) Proficiency Guidelines on:

4.1.2.2.1 The ACTFL Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) in English; and

4.1.2.2.2 The ACTFL Writing Proficiency Test (WPT) in English.

4.1.3 The applicant shall have demonstrated oral and written proficiency in the Target Language of the bilingual classroom or bilingual program by satisfying both of the following requirements:

4.1.3.1 Achieved a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines on the ACTFL OPI in the Target Language; and

4.1.3.2 Achieved a Passing Score on the ACTFL WPT in the Target Language.

4.1.3.2.1 For the purposes of subsection 4.1.3.2 of this regulation, a Passing Score shall be:

4.1.3.2.1.1 For tests using the Roman alphabet, achieving a minimum level of Advanced Mid based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

4.1.3.2.1.2 For tests using a non-Roman alphabet, achieving a minimum level of Advanced Low based on the ACTFL Proficiency Guidelines.

20 DE Reg. 447 (12/01/16)

5.0 Application Requirements

5.1 If an applicant is applying for an Initial License, a Standard Certificate must be applied for simultaneously with the application for the Initial License, and the applicant shall also provide all required documentation for the License.

5.2 For an applicant who is applying for a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate under subsection 3.1.1 of this regulation, the following documentation is required in the application:

5.2.1 Evidence of obtaining and maintaining an English as a New Language certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, if applicable; and

5.2.2 Official transcript from the applicant's Regionally Accredited college or university.

5.2.2.1 Electronic transcripts may be submitted by the Employing Authority or by the applicant's Regionally Accredited college or university; or

5.2.2.2 Sealed paper transcripts may be submitted.

5.2.2.3 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts; and

5.2.3 Official scores on the ACTFL OPI and WPT in English as provided in subsection 4.1.2.2, if applicable; and

5.2.4 Official scores on the ACTFL OPI and WPT in the Target Language as provided in subsection 4.1.3; and

5.2.5 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

5.3 For an applicant who is applying for the Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate under subsection 3.1.2, the following documentation is required in the application:

5.3.1 An official copy of the Valid and Current License or Certificate; and

5.3.2 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

6.0 Validity of a Standard Certificate

6.1 A Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate is valid regardless of the assignment or employment status of the holder provided that the Educator's License remains current and valid.

6.2 A Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate is not subject to renewal.

7.0 Disciplinary Action

7.1 An Educator's Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate may be revoked, suspended, or limited for cause as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 1514 Limitation, Suspension, and Revocation of Licenses, Certificates, and Permits.

7.2 An Educator's Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate shall be revoked if the Educator's Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License or Professional Status Certificate is revoked or the Educator made a materially false or misleading statement in the Educator's application in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1222.

7.3 An Educator whose certificate is noticed for disciplinary action is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 1515 Hearing Procedures and Rules.

8.0 Secretary of Education Review

8.1 The Secretary of Education may, upon the written request of a local school district or charter school, review credentials submitted in an application for a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate on an individual basis and grant such a Standard Certificate to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate but whose effectiveness is documented by the local school district or charter school district.

8.1.1 For school districts, requests shall be approved by the superintendent of the school district.

8.1.2 For charter schools, requests concerning the head of school of the charter school shall be approved by the charter school's board of directors and requests concerning all other applicants shall be approved by the charter school's head of school.

5.09.0 Past Certification Certificate Recognized

The Department shall recognize a Bilingual Teacher Standard Certificate Bilingual Teacher issued before January 1, 2017 by the Department prior to the effective date of this regulation. A teacher holding such a Standard Certificate issued by the Department before January 1, 2017 shall be considered certified as a Bilingual Teacher An Educator holding such a Standard Certificate shall be considered certified to instruct English Learners or immersion program students.

20 DE Reg. 447 (12/01/16)

6.0 Effective Date

This regulation shall be effective on January 1, 2017.

7 DE Reg. 775 (12/01/03)

10 DE Reg. 693 (10/01/06)

Renumbered effective 06/01/07 - see Conversion Table

12 DE Reg. 339 (09/01/08)

20 DE Reg. 447 (12/01/16)

24 DE Reg. 920 (04/01/21) (Prop.)