DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Sections 1203, 1205(b), and 1220 (14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), & 1220)

14 DE Admin. Code 1521

FINAL

ORDER

1521 Elementary Teacher

I. SUMMARY OF THE EVIDENCE AND INFORMATION SUBMITTED

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), and 1220, the Professional Standards Board ("Board"), acting in consultation and cooperation with the Delaware Department of Education ("Department"), developed amendments to 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary Teacher. The regulation concerns the requirements for an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220. The proposed amendments include revising subsection 5.2, which concerns the disclosure of an applicant's criminal conviction history, and adding language concerning 14 DE Admin. Code 1519, which is being simultaneously proposed with this regulation. Proposed 14 DE Admin. Code 1519 sets forth alternative means of demonstrating content knowledge for an applicant of the Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate who does not achieve the minimum score specified in Section 4.0 of this regulation. Proposed 14 DE Admin. Code 1519 is consistent with HB 441, which amended 14 Del.C. §1220 and was signed into law on August 4, 2022. In addition, the proposed amendments include changes that have been made to other Standard Certificate regulations.

Notice of the proposed regulation was published in the Register of Regulations on October 1, 2022. The Professional Standards Board did not receive any written submittals concerning the proposed regulation.

II. FINDINGS OF FACTS

On November 3, 2022, the Professional Standards Board voted to propose 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary 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 1521 Elementary Teacher.

III. DECISION TO AMEND THE REGULATION

For the foregoing reasons, the Department concludes that it is appropriate to amend 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary Teacher subject to the State Board of Education's approval. On November 17, 2022, the State Board of Education approved amending 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary Teacher. Therefore, pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), and 1220, 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary Teacher, attached hereto as Exhibit A, is hereby amended.

IV. TEXT AND CITATION

The text of 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary Teacher adopted hereby shall be in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A and said regulation shall be cited as 14 DE Admin. Code 1521 Elementary 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 November, 2022.

Department of Education

Mark A. Holodick, Ed.D., Secretary of Education

Approved this 17th day of November, 2022.

State Board of Education

/s/ Shawn Brittingham, President	/s/ Rev. Provey Powell, Jr.
/s/ Vincent Lofink, Vice President	Wali W. Rushdan, II (Absent)
/s/ Candice Fifer	/s/ Deborah Stevens
/s/ Audrey J. Noble, Ph.D.

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

1521 Elementary Teacher

1.0 Content

1.1 This regulation shall apply to the issuance of an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). This Certification The Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate is required for grades K to 6 in Delaware public schools.

1.1.1 Notwithstanding subsection 1.1 the foregoing requirement, the Early Childhood Teacher Standard Certification Certificate may be used for K to grade 2 in lieu of this Certification grades K to 2 in lieu of the Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate.

16 DE Reg. 757 (01/01/13)

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:

"Certification" means the issuance of a certificate, which may occur regardless of a recipient's assignment or employment status.

"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 his or her unfitness or otherwise.

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

"Major or Its Equivalent" means a minimum of 30 semester hours of course work in a particular content area.

"Passing Score" means a minimum score as established by the Professional 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.

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

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

3.0 Issuance of a Standard Certificate

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a), the Department shall issue an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate to an Educator applicant who:

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

3.1.2 Has met the requirements for licensure an educator's license in Delaware and holds a Valid and Current License or Certificate in elementary education issued by another state or jurisdiction.

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

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

7 DE Reg. 1747 (06/01/04)

10 DE Reg. 100 (07/01/06)

14 DE Reg. 299 (10/01/10)

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

4.0 Prescribed Education, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements

4.1 For an applicant who does not hold a content area Standard Certificate, the applicant shall have satisfied the requirements in subsections 4.1.1 and 4.1.2.

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

4.1.1.1 Obtained and currently maintain an Early Childhood/Generalist certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards; or

4.1.1.2 Earned a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited Regionally Accredited college or university with a Major or Its Equivalent minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework in elementary 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), (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 grades K to 6 as provided in 14 Del.C. §§1260 - 1266; or

4.1.1.4 Satisfactorily completed a Department-approved educator preparation program in elementary education.

4.1.2 The applicant shall have achieved a Passing Score minimum score on one of the following examinations:

4.1.2.1 On the Praxis Subject Assessment - Elementary Education: Multiple Subjects (ETS Test Code # 5001), the applicant shall have achieved a Passing Score minimum score on each of the following subtests:

4.1.2.1.1 A minimum score of 157 on the Reading and Language Arts Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5002) a Passing Score of 157; and

4.1.2.1.2 A minimum score of 157 on the Mathematics Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5003) a Passing Score of 157; and

4.1.2.1.3 A minimum score of 155 on the Social Studies Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5004) a Passing Score of 155; and

4.1.2.1.4 A minimum score of 159 on the Science Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5005) a Passing Score of 159; or

4.1.2.2 On the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (ETS Test Code # 7801), the applicant shall have achieved a Passing Score minimum score on each of the following subtests prior to August 31, 2020:

4.1.2.2.1 A minimum score of 156 on the Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7802) a Passing Score of 156; and

4.1.2.2.2 A minimum score of 143 on the Mathematics CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7803) a Passing Score of 143; and

4.1.2.2.3 A minimum score of 144 on the Science CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7804) a Passing Score of 144; and

4.1.2.2.4 A minimum score of 155 on the Social Studies Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7805) a Passing Score of 155; or

4.1.2.3 On the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching (ETS Test Code # 7811), the applicant shall have achieved a Passing Score minimum score on each of the following subtests:

4.1.2.3.1 A minimum score of 156 on the Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7812) a Passing Score of 156; and

4.1.2.3.2 A minimum score of 143 on the Mathematics CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7813) a Passing Score of 143; and

4.1.2.3.3 A minimum score of 144 on the Science CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7814) a Passing Score of 144; and

4.1.2.3.4 A minimum score of 153 on the Social Studies CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7815) a Passing Score of 153; or

4.1.2.4 The applicant shall have achieved a Passing Score minimum score on each of the following subtests:

4.1.2.4.1 A minimum score of 157 on the Praxis Subject Assessment - Elementary Education: Reading Language Arts Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5002) a Passing Score of 157 or a minimum score of 156 on the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Reading and Language Arts CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7802 or 7812) a Passing Score of 156; and

4.1.2.4.2 A minimum score of 157 on the Praxis Subject Assessment - Elementary Education: Mathematics Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5003) a Passing Score of 157 or a minimum score of 143 on the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Mathematics CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7803 or 7813) a Passing Score of 143; and

4.1.2.4.3 A minimum score of 155 on the Praxis Subject Assessment - Elementary Education: Social Studies Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5004) a Passing Score of 155 or a minimum score of 155 on the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Social Studies Subtest (ETS Test Code #7805) a Passing Score of 155 or a minimum score of 153 on the Social Studies CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7815) a Passing Score of 153; and

4.1.2.4.4 A minimum score of 159 on the Praxis Subject Assessment - Elementary Education: Science Subtest (ETS Test Code # 5005) a Passing Score of 159 or a minimum score of 144 on the Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching Science CKT Subtest (ETS Test Code # 7804 or 7814) a Passing Score of 144.

4.1.2.5 Notwithstanding subsections 4.1.2.1 through 4.1.2.4, if the applicant did not achieve the minimum score on an examination in one of the four content areas, the applicant shall meet the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1519 Multiple Measures for Demonstrating Content Knowledge.

4.2 For an applicant who holds at least one content area Standard Certificate, the applicant shall have achieved a Passing Score the minimum scores on an examination one of the examinations as provided in subsection 4.1.2. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if the applicant did not achieve the minimum score on an examination in one of the four content areas, the applicant shall meet the requirements set forth in 14 DE Admin. Code 1519 Multiple Measures for Demonstrating Content Knowledge.

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

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 If the applicant is also applying for the issuance or renewal of an educator's license or paraeducator's permit, the applicant must disclose the applicant's criminal conviction history upon application. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction history is grounds for denial of the license or permit application as specified in 14 Del.C. §1219 and it could delay the processing or result in the denial of the application for an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate.

5.2 5.3 For an applicant who does not hold a content area Standard Certificate, the following documentation is required with the application for an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate:

5.2.1 5.3.1 Evidence of obtaining and maintaining an Early Childhood/Generalist certificate from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, if applicable; and

5.2.2 5.3.2 Official transcript from the applicant's Regionally Accredited college or university.

5.2.2.1 5.3.2.1 Electronic transcripts may be submitted by the Employing Authority or by the applicant's Regionally Accredited college or university; or

5.2.2.2 5.3.2.2 Sealed paper transcripts may be submitted.

5.2.2.3 5.3.2.3 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts; and

5.2.3 5.3.3 Official scores on the Praxis Subject Assessment or Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching as provided in subsection 4.1.2; and

5.2.4 5.3.4 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

5.3 5.4 For an applicant who holds at least one content area Standard Certificate, the following documentation is required in the application for an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate:

5.3.1 5.4.1 Official scores on the Praxis Subject Assessment or Praxis Elementary Education: Content Knowledge for Teaching as provided in subsection 4.2; and

5.3.2 5.4.2 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

5.4 5.5 For applicants who have met the requirements for licensure as an educator in Delaware and hold a Valid and Current License or Certificate in elementary education from another state or jurisdiction, the following documentation is required in the application for an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate:

5.4.1 5.5.1 An official copy of the Valid and Current License or Certificate; and

5.4.2 5.5.2 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

6.0 Secretary of Education Review

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

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

6.1.2 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.

6.0 7.0 Validity of a Standard Certificate

6.1 7.1 An Elementary 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 7.2 An Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate is not subject to renewal.

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

7.0 8.0 Disciplinary Action

7.1 8.1 An Educator's Elementary 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 8.2 An Educator's Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate 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.

7.3 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 the 14 DE Admin. Code 1515 Hearing Procedures and Rules.

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

8.0 Secretary of Education Review

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

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

9.0 Past Certificate Recognized

The Department shall recognize an Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate that was issued by the Department prior to the effective date of this regulation. An educator Educator holding such a Standard Certificate shall be considered certified to teach elementary education.

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

10.0 Contact Information and Change of Name or Address

10.1 All applicants and Educators are required to update their contact information in DEEDS if their contact information changes.

10.2 An Educator who legally changes the Educator's name and wishes to change the name on the Elementary Teacher Standard Certificate shall provide a notarized copy of evidence of the name change such as a marriage license or court action.

10.3 An applicant or Educator whose mailing address, email address, or phone number changes shall provide the Department with the new mailing address, email address, or phone number within 14 calendar days of the change.

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

7 DE Reg. 1747 (06/01/04)

10 DE Reg. 100 (07/01/06)

Renumbered effective 6/1/07 - see Conversion Table

14 DE Reg. 299 (10/01/10)

16 DE Reg. 757 (01/01/13)

21 DE Reg. 877 (05/01/18)

23 DE Reg. 866 (04/01/20)

24 DE Reg. 357 (10/01/20)

26 DE Reg. 559 (01/01/23) (Final)