DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

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

1510 Issuance of Initial License

A. TYPE OF REGULATORY ACTION REQUESTED

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECT MATTER OF REGULATION

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), and 1210, the Professional Standards Board ("Board"), acting in consultation and cooperation with the Delaware Department of Education, developed amendments to 14 DE Admin. Code 1510 Issuance of Initial License. The regulation concerns the requirements for an Initial License in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1210. The proposed amendments include revising the title of the regulation; clarifying that the regulation applies to both the issuance and retention of an Initial License in Section 1.0; adding and striking defined terms in Section 2.0; clarifying the requirements for issuing an Initial License in Section 3.0; specifying the requirements for an applicant to obtain an Initial License in Section 4.0; adding reciprocity requirements in Section 5.0; specifying the requirements for applicants whose Delaware Initial License expired in Section 6.0; specifying application requirements in Section 7.0; adding Section 8.0, which concerns the validity of an Initial License; specifying the requirements for extensions for exigent circumstances and leaves of absence in Sections 9.0 and 10.0, respectively; revising Section 11.0, which concerns requests for the Secretary of Education to review applications for an Initial License; adding Section 12.0, which specifies the requirements for retaining an Initial License; adding Section 13.0, which concerns disciplinary actions; specifying the requirements for educators who intend to apply for a Continuing License in Section 15.0; revising Section 16.0, which concerns recognizing past Initial Licenses that were issued by the Department; and adding Section 17.0, which specifies that the effective date of the regulation would be July 1, 2021.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by the close of business on or before February 2, 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 requirements in Sections 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 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 requirements in Sections 4.0, 5.0, and 6.0 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 license 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 license 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 an Initial License but whose effectiveness is documented by the district or school. Proposed Section 11.0 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 7.0 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 adopted regulation? There is no expected cost to the state and to the local school boards of complying with this amended regulation.

1510 Issuance of Initial License

This regulation shall apply to the issuance and retention of an Initial License for educators pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1210.

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification" means programs pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12, Subchapter VI.

"Certification" means holding a Standard Certificate in a particular area, subject, or category.

"Comprehensive Educator Induction Program" means an educator induction program approved by the Department to provide mentoring and professional development for Educators.

"Content Area" means any subject or area that is not a category certificate.

"Content-Readiness Exam" means an assessment, either by examination of content knowledge or the approved equivalent that demonstrates an educator's knowledge, skills, and readiness to perform responsibilities of a certification area.

"Core Content Area" means any subject area tested by the state assessment system, including mathematics, English/language arts, science, and social studies.

"Date of Hire" means the effective date of employment by a public school district or charter school.

"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 developed by the Standards Board, in consultation and cooperation with the Department, and approved by the State Board. The term 'educator' does not include substitute teachers.

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

"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 his or her the educator’s unfitness or otherwise.

“Jurisdiction" means a state, territory or country.

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

"Mentoring" means activities, training, and service in mentoring support or assistance provided through a formally organized approved comprehensive induction program or such supplemental mentoring programs as required by regulation or by the educator's employing authority. Mentoring includes, but is not limited to, the mentoring that occurs in the approved comprehensive induction programs required for educators during their four (4) year Initial Licensure period, Continuing Licensure period, or any other mentoring program as required by law.

"Passing 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.

"Performance Assessment" means an approved multiple measure assessment in the professional area of licensure to ensure that novice educators can demonstrate application of content, pedagogy skills, and reflective practice, adopted pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 and as provided in Section 18.0 of this regulation. A performance assessment is not a multiple choice assessment and may require written commentary, submission of artifacts, and submission of a video. It is designed to identify an educator’s strengths and areas of improvement to practice in order to develop effective educators in the classroom.

"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.

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

"Specialist" means an educator other than a teacher recognized in this regulation who is eligible to apply for both licensure and certification from the State pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 in order to engage in other related professional support services.

"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.

"State Board" means the State Board of Education pursuant to 14 Del.C. §104.

"Student Teaching Program" means a traditional student teaching placement within a National Council for the Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE) or the Council for the Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP) approved program offered by a college or university, or such alternatives as deemed appropriate to the program, such as supervised internships or other field based experience recognized as a required component of the regionally accredited educator preparation program or a student teaching placement within a state-approved educator preparation program where the state approval body employed the appropriate standards.

"Supervised Clinical Nursing Experience" means that the applicant has worked as a licensed Registered Nurse in a clinical setting providing care to patients and that the applicant was supervised and evaluated by a licensed Registered Nurse supervisor or other healthcare provider. For the purpose of this regulation, other healthcare provider means a licensed physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant.

"Teaching Experience" means meeting students on a regularly scheduled basis, planning and delivering instruction, developing or preparing instructional materials, and evaluating student performance with annual summative evaluations on the State's current evaluation system or the equivalent thereof on a state-approved alternative educator evaluation system under a State state credential in any PreK Pre-K to 12 public school setting or an equivalent setting as approved by the Department.

"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.

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1210, an otherwise qualified applicant subject to the limits of Section 11.0 must meet the requirements in this section for the Department to issue an Initial License. All applicants must apply for at least one Standard Certificate in a Content Area simultaneously with an Initial License. An Initial License will not be issued if the applicant does not meet the requirements for certification.

3.2 The Department may issue an Initial License to an applicant who is currently licensed as an educator in another jurisdiction with at least one year of successful teaching experience but less than four years of successful Teaching Experience.

3.2.1 An applicant who is issued an Initial License under subsection 3.2 must complete the professional development and mentoring activities required by 14 DE Admin. Code 1503.

3.3 Prior to the Department issuing an Initial License, all other applicants must meet the following requirements:

3.3.1 Meet the degree requirements in Section 5.0;

3.3.2 When applicable and available, achieve a passing score on an approved content readiness exam as specified by the Standards Board and the State Board;

3.3.3 Complete a Student Teaching Program or meet the requirements of an approved alternative to student teaching; and

3.3.4 Meet all other requirements of this regulation.

3.4 An applicant who previously held a Delaware Initial License that has since expired will be treated as a new applicant and must meet all the requirements in this regulation.

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1210, the Department shall issue an Initial License to an applicant who:

3.1.1 Meets the requirements for issuance of an Initial License as set forth in Section 4.0 of this regulation; or

3.1.2 Presents proof of a Valid and Current License or Certificate as an educator from another state or jurisdiction whose requirements are substantially similar to the requirements in Section 4.0 of this regulation and completion of at least one year of Teaching Experience but less than four years of Teaching Experience; or

3.1.3 Meets the requirements for reciprocity as set forth in Section 5.0 of this regulation; or

3.1.4 Meets the requirements for an applicant whose Delaware Initial License expired as set forth in Section 6.0 of this regulation.

3.2 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the Department shall not act on an application for an Initial License 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.

4.1 An applicant for an Initial License must submit the completed application, official transcripts, and official scores on all required examinations and assessments to the Department.

4.1.1 Official transcripts shall be forwarded directly from the issuing institution or by the applicant in an unopened, unaltered envelope. Official electronic transcripts forwarded directly to the Department from the issuing institution or hiring authority shall be accepted by the Department.

4.1 Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1210(a), the Department may issue an Initial License to an applicant who has satisfied the requirements in subsections 4.1.1 through 4.1.3.

4.1.1 The applicant shall have earned, at a minimum, a bachelor's degree from a four-year Regionally Accredited college or university. Notwithstanding the foregoing requirement, an applicant for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1559) shall complete the coursework specified in Section 4.0 of 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 prior to the expiration of the Initial License.

4.1.2 The applicant shall have simultaneously applied for and met the requirements of at least one Content Area Standard Certificate.

4.1.2.1 An Initial License will not be issued if the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Content Area Standard Certificate sought or is ineligible for an Emergency Certificate.

4.1.2.2 Subsection 4.1.2 does not apply to applicants who applied for a specialist Standard Certificate as provided in subsection 4.1.3.3.1 or a Skilled and Technical Sciences Standard Certificate.

4.1.3 The applicant shall have completed a Student Teaching Program or meet the requirements of one of the following alternatives to student teaching:

4.1.3.1 Completion of a minimum of 91 days of successful long-term substitute teaching in a Delaware public school as part of a planned hiring process that leads to a full-time teaching position.

4.1.3.1.1 Subsection 4.1.3.1 applies to applicants who have applied for a Content Area Standard Certificate. Subsection 4.1.3.1 does not apply to applicants who seek an Early Childhood Teacher Standard Certificate, Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate, Middle Level English Teacher Standard Certificate, High School English Teacher Standard Certificate, Middle Level Math Teacher Standard Certificate, High School Math Teacher Standard Certificate, Middle Level Science Teacher Standard Certificate, High School Science Teacher Standard Certificate, Middle Level Social Studies Teacher Standard Certificate, High School Social Studies Teacher Standard Certificate, or a category Standard Certificate.

4.1.3.1.2 Teaching experience from an Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification program may not be used to satisfy the requirement in subsection 4.1.3.1.

4.1.3.1.3 The minimum of 91 days of long-term substitute teaching shall commence after the Department is notified and in one assignment relevant to the Content Area Standard Certificate sought within one school year of the date of application for the Initial License.

4.1.3.1.4 The applicant shall simultaneously apply for the relevant Content Area Standard Certificate as provided in subsection 4.1.2. If the applicant does not apply for the relevant Content Area Standard Certificate or meet the requirements to be issued the relevant Content Area Emergency Certificate, the applicant will not meet the qualifications for an Initial License.

4.1.3.1.5 The applicant shall have received at least two formative evaluations and not more than one unsatisfactory evaluation during the minimum 91-day period of long-term substitute teaching.

4.1.3.2 Enrollment and participation in an Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification program pursuant to Subchapter VI of 14 Del.C. Ch. 12.

4.1.3.3 Completed a supervised practical experience in the specialty area for which the specialist Standard Certificate is sought.

4.1.3.3.1 Subsection 4.1.3.3 applies to an applicant who has applied for a specialist Standard Certificate. The specialist Standard Certificates are Elementary School Counselor, Secondary School Counselor, School Library Media Specialist, School Nurse, School Psychologist, and School Social Worker.

4.1.3.3.2 An applicant for an Elementary School Counselor Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1522), shall have completed one of the following supervised practical experiences:

4.1.3.3.2.1 An applicant who does not hold a Secondary School Counselor Standard Certificate shall complete a supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified elementary school counselor of 700 hours in an elementary school setting (grades K-8) which is part of a graduate degree program in elementary school counseling; or

4.1.3.3.2.2 An applicant who holds a Secondary School Counselor Standard Certificate shall have completed 350 hours of additional clinical experience in an elementary school setting (grades K-5) under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified elementary school counselor; or

4.1.3.3.2.3 An applicant who is seeking both an Elementary School Counselor Standard Certificate and a Secondary School Counselor Standard Certificate simultaneously must complete 350 hours of clinical experience in an elementary school setting (grades K-8) under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified elementary school counselor and 350 hours of clinical experience in a secondary school setting (grades 6-12) under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified secondary school counselor. Clinical hours in grades 6-8 shall only be used in one setting.

4.1.3.3.3 An applicant for a Secondary School Counselor Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1545), shall have completed one of the following supervised practical experiences:

4.1.3.3.3.1 An applicant who does not hold an Elementary School Counselor Standard Certificate shall complete a supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified secondary school counselor of 700 hours in a secondary school setting (grades 6-12) which is part of a graduate degree program in secondary school counseling; or

4.1.3.3.3.2 An applicant who holds an Elementary School Counselor Standard Certificate shall have completed 350 hours of additional clinical experience in a secondary school setting (grades 6-12) under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified secondary school counselor; or

4.1.3.3.3.3 An applicant who is seeking both an Elementary School Counselor Standard Certificate and a Secondary School Counselor Standard Certificate simultaneously must complete 350 hours of clinical experience in an elementary school setting (grades K-8) under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified elementary school counselor and 350 hours of clinical experience in a secondary school setting (grades 6-12) under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified secondary school counselor. Clinical hours in grades 6-8 shall only be used in one setting.

4.1.3.3.4 An applicant for a School Library Media Specialist Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1580) shall have completed one of the following supervised practical experiences:

4.1.3.3.4.1 A supervised internship or practicum that is a requirement to earn a master's or doctoral degree in School Library Media from an American Library Association-approved program at a Regionally Accredited college or university; or

4.1.3.3.4.2 A supervised internship or practicum that is part of a Department-approved School Library Media program that meets the American Library Association's standards.

4.1.3.3.5 An applicant for a School Nurse Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1582) shall have completed three years of Supervised Clinical Nursing Experience as a registered nurse consisting of a minimum of 500 hours per year for a total of 1,500 hours during the three-year period. This requirement shall not be met in a school setting.

4.1.3.3.6 An applicant for a School Psychologist Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1583) shall have completed a supervised internship in an institution or agency approved by the Department or the applicant's graduate program.

4.1.3.3.6.1 The internship shall be 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.

4.1.3.3.6.2 The following recognized internships meet the requirement in subsection 4.1.3.3.6: an internship that is part of 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 Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree or its equivalent or a doctoral degree in School Psychology, and an internship completed to earn a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Certificate from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

4.1.3.3.7 An applicant for a School Social Worker Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1584) shall have completed two years of full-time work experience as a social worker as approved by the Department. Post-degree supervised clinical social work experience completed in order to obtain an LCSW license shall count as work experience.

4.1.3.4 Completed one of the following experience requirements for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1559).

4.1.3.4.1 Six years of work experience in an area related to the STS-specific career area, at least two of which shall have been within the last five years prior to the date of the application; or

4.1.3.4.2 Six years of work experience by teaching in or direct supervision of educators in an area related to the STS-specific career area, at least two of which shall have been within the last five years prior to the date of the application.

5.1 To qualify for an Initial License, an applicant must hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited 4 year college or university.

5.2 The equivalent education and experience recognized to fulfill the requirement of a bachelor's degree for an initial license and certification as a Skilled and Technical Sciences teacher is defined in 14 DE Admin. Code 1559.

5.1 If an applicant is already licensed or certified as an educator in another state or jurisdiction, the applicant must meet the requirements in subsections 5.1.1 through 5.1.3 in order for the Department to issue an Initial License.

5.1.1 The applicant shall hold a Valid and Current License or Certificate as an educator.

5.1.2 The applicant shall have earned a bachelor's degree from a Regionally Accredited college or university. Notwithstanding the foregoing requirement, an applicant for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1559) shall complete the coursework specified in Section 4.0 of 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 prior to the expiration of the Initial License.

5.1.3 The applicant shall have simultaneously applied for and met the requirements of at least one Content Area Standard Certificate.

5.1.3.1 An Initial License will not be issued if the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Content Area Standard Certificate sought or is ineligible for an Emergency Certificate.

5.1.3.2 Subsection 4.1.2 does not apply to applicants who applied for a specialist Standard Certificate as provided in subsection 4.1.3.3.1 or a Skilled and Technical Sciences Standard Certificate.

5.1.4 The applicant shall have completed at least one year of Teaching Experience but less than four years of Teaching Experience.

6.1 To qualify for an Initial License, an applicant must successfully complete a student teaching program or meet the requirements of an approved alternative to student teaching.

6.2 Approved alternatives to student teaching are:

6.2.1 One year of successful teaching experience in an area, subject, or category other than a Core Content Area as defined in Section 2.0 of this regulation; or

6.2.1.1 The one year of teaching experience must have occurred within the last calendar year prior to submitting the application.

6.2.1.2 The teaching experience must consist of a minimum of 91 days of long term teaching experience at one assignment within the same academic year during which regular evaluations were conducted, evidencing at least satisfactory performance.

6.2.1.3 Experience from the Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification program or the Special Institute for Teacher Licensure and Certification program may not be used to satisfy the one-year requirement in subsection 6.2.1 of this regulation.

6.2.2 Enrollment and participation in the Special Institute for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program pursuant to subchapter V of 14 Del.C. Ch. 12; or

6.2.3 Meets the requirements of an Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification program pursuant to subchapter VI of 14 Del.C. Ch. 12.

6.3 An applicant who applies for an Initial License and certification as a specialist in one of the specialty areas specifically referenced in this subsection may, in lieu of student teaching, complete a supervised practical or clinical experience in the specialty area as specified in this subsection. In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1210(a)(4), the following specialists are recognized and an Initial License applicant may complete a supervised practical experience, as specified in this subsection, as a substitute for student teaching.

6.3.1 School nurse

6.3.1.1 For a school nurse, the equivalent practical experience for student teaching is three (3) years of supervised clinical nursing experience as a registered nurse consisting of a minimum of 500 hours per year for a total of 1,500 hours during the three-year period. This requirement shall not be met in a school setting.

6.3.2 Elementary School Counselor

6.3.2.1 For an elementary school counselor, the equivalent practical experience for student teaching is:

6.3.2.1.1 For applicants not holding a Standard Certificate Secondary School Counselor, a supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Elementary School Counselor of 700 hours in an elementary school setting which is part of a graduate degree program in Elementary School Counseling.

6.3.2.1.2 For applicants holding a Standard Certificate Secondary School Counselor and seeking Elementary School Counselor certification, 350 hours of additional clinical experience in an elementary school setting under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Elementary School Counselor.

6.3.2.1.3 For applicants seeking initial certification of both a Standard Certificate Elementary School Counselor and a Standard Certificate Secondary School Counselor simultaneously must complete 350 hours of clinical experience in an elementary school setting under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Elementary School Counselor and 350 hours of clinical experience in a secondary school setting under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Secondary School Counselor.

6.3.3 Secondary School Counselor

6.3.3.1 For a secondary school counselor, the equivalent practical experience for student teaching is:

6.3.3.1.1 For applicants not holding a Standard Certificate Elementary School Counselor, a supervised school counseling clinical experience under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Secondary School Counselor of 700 hours in a secondary school setting which is part of a graduate degree program in Secondary School Counseling.

6.3.3.1.2 For applicants holding a Standard Certificate Elementary School Counselor and seeking Secondary School Counselor certification, 350 hours of additional clinical experience in a secondary school setting under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Secondary School Counselor.

6.3.3.1.3 For applicants seeking initial certification of both a Standard Certificate Elementary School Counselor and a Standard Certificate Secondary School Counselor simultaneously must complete 350 hours of clinical experience in an elementary school setting under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Elementary School Counselor and 350 hours of clinical experience in a secondary school setting under the direct supervision of a state department of education certified Secondary School Counselor.

6.3.4 School Library Media Specialist

6.3.4.1 For a school library media specialist, the equivalent practical experience for student teaching is one of the following:

6.3.4.1.1 Completion of a supervised internship or practicum required in obtaining a Masters or Doctoral degree from a regionally accredited college or university in an American Library Association approved program in School Library Media; or

6.3.4.1.2 Completion of a Department approved School Library Media program and supervised internship or practicum which meets American Library Association Standards.

6.3.5 School Psychologist

6.3.5.1 For a school psychologist the equivalent practical experience for student teaching is a supervised internship in an institution or agency approved by the Department or the applicant's graduate program.

6.3.5.1.1 The internship must be 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.

6.3.5.1.2 The following recognized internships meet the requirements of this section: internships that are part of 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 Educational Specialist (Ed.S.) degree or its equivalent or a Doctoral degree in School Psychology, and an internship completed to earn a Nationally Certified School Psychologist (NCSP) Certificate from the National Association of School Psychologists (NASP).

6.3.6 School Social Worker

6.3.6.1 For a school social worker, the equivalent practical experience for student teaching is one of the following:

6.3.6.1.1 Two years of supervised successful full time work experience as a social worker and a minimum of one year supervised experience in a school setting.

6.3.6.1.2 One year supervised internship in a school setting consisting of a minimum of 1000 hours.

6.1 An applicant must meet the requirements of subsections 6.1.1 through 6.1.3 in order for the Department to issue an Initial License.

6.1.1 The applicant shall have previously held a Delaware Initial License that has expired.

6.1.2 The applicant shall have been out of the profession for four years or less.

6.1.3 The applicant shall have simultaneously applied for and met the requirements of at least one Content Area Standard Certificate.

6.1.3.1 An Initial License will not be issued if the applicant does not meet the requirements of the Content Area Standard Certificate sought or is ineligible for an Emergency Certificate.

6.1.3.2 Subsection 4.1.2 does not apply to applicants who applied for a specialist Standard Certificate as provided in subsection 4.1.3.3.1 or a Skilled and Technical Sciences Standard Certificate.

6.2 An applicant who previously held a Delaware Initial License that has since expired, has been out of the profession for more than four years, and is ineligible to apply for a Continuing License will be treated as a new applicant and must meet all the requirements in Section 4.0.

7.1 To qualify for an Initial License, an applicant must receive a passing score on an approved content-readiness exam when applicable and available as specified by the Standards Board and the State Board.

7.1.1 A candidate in an Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program must achieve a passing score on a content-readiness exam, when applicable and available, within the time period set forth in 14 Del.C. §1260.

7.2 If an initial licensee intends to apply for a continuing license, the licensee shall obtain a passing score on an approved Performance Assessment, specified in Section 18.0 of this regulation.

7.1 An applicant must simultaneously submit an application for a Standard Certificate with the application for an Initial License, and the applicant must provide all required documentation for the Standard Certificate.

7.2 An applicant must disclose the applicant’s criminal conviction history upon application for an Initial License. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction history is grounds for denial or revocation of an Initial License as specified in 14 Del.C. §1219.

7.3 For applicants who are applying for the Initial License under subsection 3.1.1, the following documentation is required:

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

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

7.3.1.2 Sealed paper transcripts may be submitted.

7.3.1.3 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts; and

7.3.2 Proof the applicant completed a Student Teaching Program or an alternative to student teaching as required in subsection 4.1.3.

7.3.3 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

7.4 For applicants who are applying for the Initial License under subsection 3.1.2, the following documentation is required:

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

7.4.2 Proof the applicant completed at least one year of Teaching Experience but less than four years of Teaching Experience; and

7.4.3 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

7.5 For applicants who are applying for the Initial License under subsection 3.1.3, the following documentation is required:

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

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

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

7.5.2.2 Sealed paper transcripts may be submitted.

7.5.2.3 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts; and

7.5.3 Proof the applicant has Teaching Experience as required by subsection 5.1.4.

7.5.4 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

7.6 For applicants who are applying for the Initial License under subsection 3.1.4, the following documentation is required:

7.6.1 Proof the applicant previously held a Delaware Initial License that has expired; and

7.6.2 Proof the applicant has been out of the profession for four years or less; and

7.6.3 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

7.7 Applicants with credentials issued from institutions outside of the United States and United States territories must provide an analysis of the degree equivalency in a format approved by the Department together with all other required application documents and materials.

8.1 Score(s) shall be official and sent directly from the test vendor or assessment provider to the Department.

8.2 Unopened, unaltered envelopes containing score(s) sent to the individual may be accepted as official. The Department shall determine whether the score(s) as presented are acceptable.

8.3 Test score(s) verified by another state's department of education or other entity may, in the discretion of the Department, be considered official. A copy of the score(s) must be forwarded directly from the other state’s department of education or entity to the department.

9.1 Notwithstanding any other requirements within this regulation, an applicant applying for an Initial License and Standard Certificate in a Skilled and Technical Sciences specific career area may be issued an Initial License for a period of up to 6 years to complete college course work or its equivalent in professional development or technical training required for certification as specified in 14 DE Admin. Code 1559.

9.1.1 Initial License applicants must pass an approved performance assessment before the expiration of the Initial License.

The Department shall not act on an application for licensure if the applicant is under official investigation by any state or local authority with the power to issue educator licenses or certifications, where the alleged conduct involves allegations of immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty or falsification of credentials, until the applicant provides evidence of the investigation's resolution.

11.1 8.1 An Initial License is valid for four (4) years, unless revoked, and may not be renewed. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Initial License issued to an applicant in a Skilled and Technical Sciences career area is valid for up to six (6) years. For an applicant who applied for and met the requirements of the Initial License under subsection 3.1.1, the Initial License is issued for a period of four years.

8.2 For an applicant who applied for and met the requirements of the Initial License under subsection 3.1.2 or 3.1.3, the Initial License will be issued based on the years of teaching experience.

8.2.1 For applicants who have completed one year of teaching experience, the Initial License is issued for a period of three years.

8.2.2 For applicants who have completed two years of teaching experience, the Initial License is issued for a period of two years.

8.2.3 For applicants who have completed three years of teaching experience, the Initial License is issued for a period of one year.

8.3 For an applicant who applied for and met the requirements of the Initial License under subsection 3.1.4, the Initial License will be issued based on the number of years of the applicable Comprehensive Educator Induction Program that the applicant is required to complete.

8.3.1 For applicants who completed year one of the program, the Initial License is issued for a period of three years.

8.3.2 For applicants who completed years two and three of the program, the Initial License is issued for a period of two years.

8.3.3 For applicants who completed years one, two, and three of the program, the Initial License is issued for a period of one year.

8.4 Notwithstanding subsections 8.1, 8.2, and 8.3, for applicants who are applying for the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate, the Initial License is issued for a period of up to six years.

8.5 Initial Licenses are issued for the number of years specified in subsections 8.1, 8.2, 8.3, and 8.4. Initial Licenses may not be renewed, so in order to continue engaging in the practice of instruction, administration, or other related professional support services in Delaware, an Educator must apply for and be granted a Continuing License.

11.2 8.6 An Initial License issued to an applicant who is not currently employed by a public school district or charter school shall be inactive until such time as an the applicant is employed by a public school district or charter school. Once the applicant is employed, the Initial License shall be in effect is issued for four (4) years from the date of hire Date of Hire until the last day of the month of issuance four (4) years later, except Initial Licenses issued in Skilled and Technical Sciences career areas shall expire on the last day of the month of issuance six (6) years later or up to six years later if the applicant applied for and met the requirements of the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate.

11.3 If an initial licensee intends to apply for a Continuing License, the licensee shall, prior to the expiration of the Initial License, complete required professional development and mentoring activities as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 1503.

11.3.1 During the period of the Initial License, license holders are required to participate in a comprehensive educator induction program including mentoring and other prescribed professional development activities offered by the Department and by the public school district or charter school in which they are employed.

Applicants with credentials issued from institutions outside of the United States and United States territories shall provide an analysis of the degree equivalency in a format approved by the Department, along with all other required application materials, which shall be reviewed by the Department.

13.1 9.1 The Department may extend an Initial License for a period not to exceed one (1) year, upon the license holder’s showing of exigent circumstances warranting the necessity of such extension.

13.1.1 A license holder whose Initial License expires during the school year may have the Initial License extended until the last day of the fiscal year upon a request from the public school district superintendent or charter school administrator. This extension shall be considered an exigent circumstance and shall not exceed one (1) year in length.

14.1 At the discretion of the hiring district or charter school, an educator may take a leave of absence of up to three (3) years. The date of expiration of the Initial License will be extended commensurate with the length of the leave of absence.

14.2 The Department may require that the educator provide documentation sufficient to establish the leave of absence.

14.3 An educator's Initial License shall not be automatically extended under this section and the burden is on the educator to submit an extension request with sufficient documentation to the Department and to establish the leave of absence.

10.1 An Educator who holds an Initial License may take a leave of absence for up to three years with no effect upon the validity or expiration of the Educator's Initial License if approved by the Department.

10.2 The Educator shall submit to the Department a request with documentation that the Educator is approved by the Educator's employing school district or charter school to take a leave of absence and the length of the leave of absence.

10.3 If the Department approves the Educator's request, the Educator's Initial License will be frozen for an amount of time that is commensurate with the length of the leave of absence up to three years.

An applicant shall disclose his or her criminal conviction history upon application for an Initial License. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction history is grounds for denial or revocation of an Initial License as specified in 14 Del.C. §1219.

16.1 11.1 The Secretary of Education may, at the written request of a school district or charter school, review licensure credentials submitted in an application for an Initial License on an individual basis and grant an Initial License to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for an Initial License, License but whose effectiveness is documented by the school district or charter school.

16.1.1 11.1.1 For school districts, requests shall be approved by the superintendent of the school district.

16.1.2 11.1.2 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 educators applicants shall be approved by the charter school’s head of school.

12.1 In order to retain an Initial License, the Educator shall:

12.1.1 Complete the applicable Comprehensive Educator Induction Program as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 1503.

12.1.2 For an Educator who is issued an Emergency Certificate, complete the requirements for a Standard Certificate prior to the Emergency Certificate lapsing if the Educator does not hold a Standard Certificate;

12.1.3 For an Educator in an Alternative Routes for Teacher Licensure and Certification program, continue to be enrolled and participating in the program.

12.2 If an Educator fails to meet any of the requirements related to retaining an Initial License, the Educator shall immediately notify the Department in writing.

12.3 The requirements set forth in subsection 12.1 apply to all Educators regardless of the date the Initial License was issued.

13.1 An Educator's Initial License 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 an Initial License as provided in Section 12.0.

13.2 An Educator's Initial License shall be revoked if the Educator's Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License or Standard 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.

13.3 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.

The Department shall provide to the Standards Board, upon request, specific data reports regarding licensure, certification, and professional development.

15.1 If an Educator who holds a Delaware Initial License intends to apply for a Continuing License, the Educator shall complete the requirements in subsections 15.1.1 through 15.1.3 before the Educator's Initial License expires.

15.1.1 The Educator shall obtain a Passing Score on an approved Performance Assessment as set forth below. An Educator who was issued a Delaware Initial License pursuant to subsection 3.1.2, 3.1.3, or 3.1.4 of this regulation is not required to obtain a Passing Score on an approved Performance Assessment.

15.1.2 The Educator shall complete the applicable Comprehensive Educator Induction Program as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 1503 Educator Mentoring.

15.1.2.1 For an Educator who was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsection 3.1.1 of this regulation, the Educator shall be required to complete years one, two, three, and four of the program.

15.1.2.2 For an Educator who has completed one year of teaching experience and was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsection 3.1.2 or 3.1.3, the Educator shall be required to complete years two, three, and four of the program.

15.1.2.3 For an Educator who has completed two years of teaching experience and was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsection 3.1.2 or 3.1.3, the Educator shall be required to complete years three and four of the program.

15.1.2.4 For an Educator who has completed three years of teaching experience and was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsections 3.1.2 or 3.1.3, the Educator shall be required to complete year four of the program.

15.1.2.5 For an Educator who has completed the first year of the program and was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsection 3.1.4, the Educator shall be required to complete years two, three, and four of the program.

15.1.2.6 For an Educator who has completed the first and second years of the program and was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsection 3.1.4, the Educator shall be required to complete years three and four of the program.

15.1.2.7 For an Educator who has completed first, second, and third years of the program and was issued an Initial License pursuant to subsections 3.1.4, the Educator shall be required to complete year four of the program.

15.1.3 The Educator has been evaluated every year and has not received more than one unsatisfactory annual evaluation during the period of the Educator's Initial License.

The Department shall recognize an Initial License that was issued before by the Department prior to the effective date of this regulation. An educator Educator holding such an Initial License issued by the Department before the effective date of this regulation shall be considered licensed in accordance with 14 Del.C. Ch. 12.

This regulation shall be effective on July 1, 2021.