DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Sections 1203, 1205(b), & 1210(f) (14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), & 1210(f))

14 DE Admin. Code 1559

FINAL

REGULATORY IMPLEMENTING ORDER

1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher

I. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION SUBMITTED

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), and 1210(f), the Professional Standards Board, acting in consultation and cooperation with the Delaware Department of Education ("Department"), developed amendments to 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher. The regulation concerns the requirements for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220. The proposed amendments include clarifying Section 1.0; in Section 2.0, adding defined terms, clarifying existing terms, and striking terms that are proposed to be removed from the body of the regulation; clarifying the requirements for issuing a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate in Section 3.0; specifying the education, knowledge, and skill requirements for obtaining a Skilled and Technical Sciences 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 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate; adding Section 7.0, which concerns the requirements related to retaining a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate; adding Section 8.0, which concerns disciplinary actions; adding Section 9.0, which concerns requests for the Secretary of Education to review standard certificate applications; and adding Section 10.0, which concerns recognizing past certificates that were issued by the Department.

Notice of the proposed regulation was published in the Register of Regulations on May 1, 2021. The Professional Standards Board did not receive any written submittals concerning the proposed amendments.

II. FINDINGS OF FACTS

On June 3, 2021, the Professional Standards Board voted to propose 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher, in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A, for adoption by the Department subject to the State Board of Education's approval.

The Department finds that the proposed amendments to the regulation are necessary to implement 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 and are designed to improve the quality of the Delaware educator workforce and to improve student performance. Accordingly, the Department finds that it is appropriate to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher.

III. DECISION TO AMEND THE REGULATION

For the foregoing reasons, the Department concludes that it is appropriate to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher subject to the State Board of Education's approval. Therefore, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), and 1210(f), 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby amended.

IV. TEXT AND CITATION

The text of 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher adopted hereby shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and said regulation shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher in the Administrative Code of Regulations for the Department.

V. EFFECTIVE DATE OF ORDER

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

IT IS SO ORDERED the 17th day of June, 2021.

Department of Education

Susan S. Bunting, Ed.D., Secretary of Education

Approved this 17th day of June, 2021.

State Board of Education

/s/ Whitney Sweeney, President	/s/ Vincent Lofink
/s/ Wali W. Rushdan, II, Vice President	/s/ Audrey J. Noble, Ph.D.
/s/ Shawn Brittingham	/s/ Provey Powell, Jr.
/s/ Candace Fifer

*Please Note: Electronic signatures ("/s/") were accepted pursuant to 6 Del.C. §12A-107(d).

Exhibit A

1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher

1.0 Content

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance and retention of a Standard Certificate, Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a) for Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher in a specific career area. This certification The Skilled and Technical Science Teacher Standard Certificate is required for grades 9 to 12, and for grades 6 to 8 in a Middle Level school. Certificates issued are in the specific career area grades 5 to 12 in Delaware public schools. The Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate is issued in a Specific Career Area. A general Skilled and Technical Sciences certification Teacher Standard Certificate does not exist. Educators may become certified for in more than one specific career area Specific Career Area by meeting the qualifications for each area.

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.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

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:

“Career and Technical Education” is also known as Vocational Education, Vocational Technical Education or Career Technical Education.

"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.

“Nine (9) Career-Related Credits” means nine (9) college credits or an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training or certification, with one (1) credit equating to fifteen (15) hours taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it, from a regionally accredited college or university, or a professional development provider approved by the employing school district or charter school. These credits may also be earned through a certified or licensed technical training provider or through specified technical training or verification of the equivalent knowledge and training by technical certification as specified in the Department’s Specific Career Area Program Certification Requirements (See 14 DE. Admin Code 525 Requirements for Career and Technical Education Programs).

"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.

“Six (6) Education Pedagogy Credits” means six (6) college credits taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it, from a regionally accredited college or university.

“Skilled and Technical Sciences (STS)” is also known as Trade and Industrial Education, Career and Technical Education, Career Technical Education or Career-Technical Education.

“Specific Career Area” means a specific career area approved by the Department as a Career Technical Education Program as defined in the Skilled and Technical Sciences Certification Inventory or included in the Department’s Skilled and Technical Sciences Standards.

“Specific Career Area Program Certification Requirements” means educator requirements necessary to achieve Department approval of the Career Technical Education program. (See 14 DE Admin. Code 525 Requirements for Career and Technical Education Programs).

"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.

“Teacher of Trade and Industries” means a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher.

“Two Years of College or Technical Training” means a minimum of a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent and the satisfactory completion of any one of the following options in the specific career area of certification (1) an Associate’s degree with a major in the specific career area; (2) two years of college majoring in the specific career area with at least 50% of the major courses required for a Bachelor’s degree satisfactorily completed; (3) a state issued certificate indicating completion of apprenticeship hours and apprentice related training (e.g. journey papers) in the specific career area; (4) completion of four years of sequential Delaware Trade Extension courses in the specific career area; (5) completion of four years of National Center for Construction Education and Research’s Contren documented training in the specific career area; (6) a 70% or above score on both the written and performance elements of a Delaware Apprentice-related Education Provider’s National Center for Construction Education and Research’s Contren-derived full Apprentice Equivalency test-out covering all Apprentice-related Education years in the specific career area; (7) passage of a State of Delaware Licensing Test in the specific career area, offered through the Division of Professional Regulation; (8) 576 hours of military training in the specific career area; (9) 576 hours post-secondary trade school training in the specific career area; (10) an industry recognized certification of technical competence or journeyperson status in the specific career area, or (11) DOE approved equivalents.

"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.

“Vocational Trade and Industry Area” means Skilled and Technical Sciences Area.

“Work Experience” means full time employment or work training experience in the specific Skilled and Technical Sciences career area of certification Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought. An educator may substitute an Associate’s degree in the specific Skilled and Technical Sciences career area of certification for a maximum of two years of work experience or a Bachelor’s degree in the specific Skilled and Technical Sciences career area of certification for a maximum of four years of work experience.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

19 DE Reg. 1087 (06/01/16)

3.0 Issuance of a Standard Certificate

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a) the Department shall issue a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate as a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a specific career area to an educator applicant who has met the following:

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License; or or a Limited Standard or Standard Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003; and 2003 and meets the requirements 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, with the exception of the requirement of a Bachelor’s degree in 3.1.5, including any subsequent amendment or revision thereto; and Has met the requirements for licensure, presents proof of a Valid and Current License or Certificate as a skilled and technical sciences teacher of the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought and, in Specific Career Areas where a State license or registration is required by law, the applicant shall hold an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by the applicable Stage agency.

3.1.3 Has satisfied the additional requirements in this regulation including holding a Bachelor’s degree or the completion of education and training equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree as specified in this regulation.

3.2 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the Department shall not act on an application for a Skilled and Technical Sciences 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.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

4.0 Educational Prescribed Education, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements

An educator shall also have met the following:

4.1 Satisfactorily completed nine (9) Career-Related Credits related to their area of certification and six (6) Education Pedagogy credits; and

4.2 Bachelor’s Degree:

Holds a Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in any content area or the equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree as specified in subsection 4.3.

4.3 Equivalent of a Bachelor’s Degree:

Acquired the knowledge and training eqHauivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree by meeting one of the following:

4.3.1 Associate’s Degree and additional education:

4.3.1.1 Holds an Associate’s degree in any content area and has met the additional education requirements in 4.3.1.2.

4.3.1.2 Satisfactorily completed twenty-one (21) college credits or their equivalent in professional development or technical training in non-duplicated courses taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it from a regionally accredited college or university or from a technical training or professional development provider in any combination of the following content areas with at least one (1) course in each of the required content areas:

4.3.1.2.1 Career and Technical Education Pedagogy (required)

4.3.1.2.2 Special Education (required)

4.3.1.2.3 Educational Psychology

4.3.1.2.4 Education Pedagogy

4.3.1.2.5 Science

4.3.1.2.6 Mathematics

4.3.1.2.7 English

4.3.1.2.8 Social Studies; or

4.3.1.2.9 Education in the specific career area of certification; or;

4.3.2 Two Years of College or Technical Training and additional education:

4.3.2.1 Satisfactorily completed Two Years of College or Technical Training and the additional education requirements in 4.3.1.2 and 4.3.2.2.

4.3.2.2 Satisfactorily completed fifteen (15) college credits in non-duplicated courses taken either as part of a degree program or in addition to it from a regionally accredited college or university, with at least one (1) course in each of the following required content areas:

4.3.2.2.1 Science (3 credits)

4.3.2.2.2 Mathematics (3 credits)

4.3.2.2.3 English (3 credits)

4.3.2.2.4 Psychology (3 credits).

4.1 An applicant for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate shall have satisfied the requirements in subsections 4.1.1 through 4.1.5 of this regulation.

4.1.1 The applicant shall have satisfied one of the education requirements in subsection 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2, or 4.1.1.3.

4.1.1.1 The applicant earned a bachelor's degree from a Regionally Accredited college or university in education or an area related to the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that includes at least nine credits in the Specific Career Area and six credits in education pedagogy, taken either as part of the degree or in addition to it. Credits in the Specific Career Area may also be completed through an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training, or certification, with one credit equal to 15 hours of training.

4.1.1.2 The applicant earned an associate's degree in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that includes at least nine credits in the Specific Career Area and six credits in education pedagogy, taken either as part of the degree or in addition to it. In addition to earning the associate's degree, the applicant completed 21 credits from a Regionally Accredited college or university toward a degree in education. Credits in the Specific Career Area may also be completed through an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training, or certification, with one credit equal to 15 hours of training.

4.1.1.3 The applicant completed the requirements in subsections 4.1.1.3.1 and 4.1.1.3.2.

4.1.1.3.1 The applicant earned a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent and completed one of the following options in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought:

4.1.1.3.1.1 Two years of college majoring in the Specific Career Area with at least 50% of the major courses required for a bachelor's degree completed;

4.1.1.3.1.2 A state-issued certificate indicating completion of apprenticeship hours and apprentice-related training (e.g., journey papers) in the Specific Career Area;

4.1.1.3.1.3 Four years of sequential Delaware Trade Extension courses;

4.1.1.3.1.4 Four years of National Center for Construction Education and Research's Contren documented training;

4.1.1.3.1.5 A 70% or above score on both the written and performance elements of a Delaware Apprentice-related Education Provider's National Center for Construction Education and Research's Contren-derived full Apprentice Equivalency test-out covering all Apprentice-related Education years;

4.1.1.3.1.6 Passage of a State of Delaware Licensing Test in the Specific Career Area, offered through the Division of Professional Regulation;

4.1.1.3.1.7 576 hours of military training;

4.1.1.3.1.8 576 hours post-secondary trade school training;

4.1.1.3.1.9 An industry recognized certification of technical competence or journeyperson status in the specific career area; or

4.1.1.3.1.10 The equivalent of two years of college or technical training approved by the Department.

4.1.1.3.2 The applicant completed 36 credits from a Regionally Accredited college or university toward a degree in education, nine credits in the Specific Career Area, and six credits in education pedagogy. The nine credits in the Specific Career Area and six credits in education pedagogy may be taken as part of or in addition to that requirement in subsection 4.1.1.3.1.10. Credits in the Specific Career Area may also be completed through an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training, or certification, with one credit equal to 15 hours of training.

4.1.2 In Specific Career Areas where a State license or registration is required by law, the applicant shall hold an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency.

4.1.3 In Specific Career Areas where a State license or registration is not required by law, the applicant shall hold one of the following:

4.1.3.1 An active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency; or

4.1.3.2 A valid and current certificate in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by a nationally-recognized professional organization.

4.1.4 In the Specific Career Areas where professional training is required, the applicant shall hold valid and current certifications as required by the Department.

4.1.5 The applicant shall have completed one of the following experience requirements:

4.1.5.1 Six years of work experience in an area related to the Specific Career Area, at least two of which shall have been within the last five years prior to the date of the application; or

4.1.5.2 Six years of work experience by teaching in or direct supervision of educators in an area related to the Specific Career Area, at least two of which shall have been within the last five years prior to the date of the application.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

19 DE Reg. 1087 (06/01/16)

5.0 Experience Requirements Application Requirements

An educator shall also have met the following:

5.1 Acquired a minimum of six (6) years of work experience in an area related to the Skilled and Technical Sciences specific career area, two (2) of which must be within the last five (5) years; or

5.2 Acquired a minimum of six (6) years of work experience by teaching in or direct supervision of educators in an area related to the Skilled and Technical Sciences specific career area, two (2) of which must be within the last five (5) years.

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 Initial License.

5.2 For applicants who are applying for the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate under subsection 3.1.1, the following documentation is required:

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

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

5.2.1.2 Sealed paper transcripts may be submitted.

5.2.1.3 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts; and

5.2.2 Documentation from technical training or professional development provider, if applicable; and

5.2.3 Documentation that the applicant holds an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought issued or recognized by the applicable State agency, if applicable; and

5.2.4 Documentation that the applicant holds a valid and current certificate in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by a nationally-recognized professional organization, if applicable; and

5.2.5 Documentation that the applicant holds valid and current certifications if professional training is required for the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought; and

5.2.6 The Department-approved form verifying the applicant's completion of the experience requirement as provided in subsection 4.1.4; and

5.2.7 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

5.3 For applicants who are applying for the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate under subsection 3.1.2, the following documentation is required:

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

5.3.2 Documentation that the applicant holds an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by the applicable State agency, if applicable; and

5.3.3 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

6.0 Professional and Occupational License Requirements Validity of a Standard Certificate

An educator shall also have met the following:

6.1 In skilled or technical sciences occupations where a state license or registration is required by law, all applicants for Skilled and Technical Sciences certification shall present a valid and current Delaware license or registration upon application for teaching credentials, pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12; and

6.2 The state license or registration shall be renewed as required by law.

6.1 A Skilled and Technical Sciences 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 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate is not subject to renewal.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

7.0 Requirements Related to the Retention of a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate

7.1 In order to retain a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate, the Educator shall:

7.1.1 If a State license or registration in the Specific Career Area is required by law, hold an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate was issued; and

7.1.2 If a State license or registration in the Specific Career Area is not required by law, hold either an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency or a valid and current certificate that is issued by a nationally-recognized professional organization in the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate was issued; and

7.1.3 Hold valid and current certifications in professional training that are required by the Department for the Specific Career Area for which the Standard Certificate was issued; and

7.1.4 Prior to the expiration of the Educator's license, registration, privilege to practice through a compact state license, or certification in professional training, affirm and document to the Department that the Educator satisfies the applicable requirements in subsections 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 7.1.3 of this regulation.

7.2 If an Educator fails to meet any of the requirements related to retaining a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate, the Educator shall immediately notify the Department in writing.

7.3 The requirements set forth in subsection 7.1 apply to all Educators regardless of the date the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate was issued to them.

8.0 Disciplinary Action

8.1 An Educator's Skilled and Technical Sciences 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 or for the Educator's failure to comply with the requirements related to the retention of a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate as provided in Section 7.0.

8.2 An Educator's Skilled and Technical Sciences 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.

8.3 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.

9.0 Secretary of Education Review

9.1 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 Skilled and Technical Sciences 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 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate but whose effectiveness is documented by the local school district or charter school.

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

9.1.2 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.

10.0 Past Certificate Recognized

The Department shall recognize a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate that was issued by the Department prior to the effective date of this regulation. An Educator holding such a Standard Certificate shall be considered certified to teach in the Specific Career Area for which the Skilled and Technical Science Teacher Standard Certificate was issued.

12 DE Reg. 952 (01/01/09)

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

19 DE Reg. 1087 (06/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21) (Final)