To clarify the required topics for earning forty (40) inservice points (or 2 college credit equivalent) in reading instruction and limit the use of credit earned for training unrelated to student learning or professional ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.0051Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To clarify the required topics for earning forty (40) inservice points (or 2 college credit equivalent) in reading instruction and limit the use of credit earned for training unrelated to student learning or professional growth. The effect of the rule will be changes to requirements for the renewal of a Professional Certificate.

SUMMARY: Current procedures require educators who hold a Professional Certificate to earn 120 inservice points (or 6 college credit equivalent), including 20 points in the teaching of students with disabilities, during every five-year validity period in order to renew their certificates. Certain subject areas responsible for reading instruction must earn 40 points (2 credit equivalent) as part of their 120 points. This amendment clarifies the topics required in reading instruction and limits certain topics from being used multiple times during the renewal cycle.

SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:

The Agency has determined that this will not have an adverse impact on small business or likely increase directly or indirectly regulatory costs in excess of $200,000 in the aggregate within one year after the implementation of the rule. A SERC has not been prepared by the Agency.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs or if no SERC is required, the information expressly relied upon and described herein: The proposed rule amendment is not expected to have any adverse impact on economic growth or business competitiveness, or increase regulatory costs or any other factor set forth in s. 120.541(2), F.S. and will not require legislative ratification. This is based upon the nature of the proposed changes, which modifies the existing requirements for the renewal of a Professional Certificate.

Any person who wishes to provide information regarding a statement of estimated regulatory costs, or provide a proposal for a lower cost regulatory alternative must do so in writing within 21 days of this notice.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY: 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1012.55, 1012.585(6), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.55, 1012.585, F.S.

A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:

DATE AND TIME: February 9, 2022, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Tallahassee Community College, Student Union Ballroom, 444 Appleyard Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32304.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Daniel M. Moore, Bureau Chief, Educator Certification, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

6A-4.0051 Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate.

A professional certificate is renewed or reinstated and certification coverages retained on the certificate in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) through (2) No change.

(3) General requirements.

(a) All requirements necessary for the renewal of a certificate shall be completed during the last validity period of the certificate to be renewed and prior to the expiration date of the certificate. College credits, inservice training and subject area tests used to satisfy requirements for issuance of the initial professional certificate shall not be used for renewal of the professional certificate.

(b) Inservice training in mandatory topics not linked to student learning or professional growth per Rule 6A-5.071, F.A.C., may only earn an educator credit once during each five-year validity period.

(c)(b) Application and appropriate fee as specified in Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C., for renewal of a certificate shall be submitted to the Bureau of Educator Certification, Florida Department of Education or the employing Florida school district, during the last year of the validity period of the certificate and prior to the expiration date of the certificate. However, if the renewal application form is not received by the Bureau of Educator Certification or the employing Florida school district, before the expiration of the professional certificate, the application form, application fee, and a thirty ($30.00) dollar late fee shall be submitted prior to July 1 of the year following expiration of the certificate in order to retain the professional certificate.

(d)(c) The validity period of the renewed certificate shall be for a period not to exceed five (5) years from July 1 of the school fiscal year following the date that the application was received in the Bureau of Educator Certification, Florida Department of Education or the employing Florida school district. However, if the renewal application is received by the Bureau of Educator Certification or the employing Florida school district after expiration of the professional certificate as specified in paragraph (3)(b) of this rule, the validity period of the renewed certificate shall be for a period not to exceed five (5) years from July 1 following the expiration of the last professional certificate.

(e)(d) A grade of at least “C” or the equivalent shall be earned in each course used for the renewal of a certificate. A grade of pass shall be acceptable under the pass or fail grading system.

(f)(e) A certification coverage which has been deleted from a professional certificate shall be added to the certificate when requirements specified in subsection 6A-4.004(6), F.A.C., have been completed.

(g)(f) A one (1) year extension of the validity period of a professional certificate shall be granted by the Florida Department of Education in the event of serious illness, injury, or other extraordinary extenuating circumstances beyond the control of the applicant. The extension shall be granted only upon written request of the applicant or the superintendent of the local school district or of the chief administrative officer of a state supported or nonpublic school. The written request shall explain the extenuating circumstances. In case of illness or injury, a physician’s written verification shall be submitted.

(4) through (6) No change.

(7) Special provisions for training in the instruction of reading for grades K-6.

(a) As a component of the credit requirements specified under paragraph (1)(a) of this rule, an educator whose application for renewal of a certificate with a beginning validity date of July 1, 2020, or thereafter, must have earned at least two (2) college credits, forty (40) inservice points, or a combination thereof, in evidence-based instruction and interventions per Rule 6A-6.053, F.A.C., specifically designed for students with characteristics of dyslexia, including the use of explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonological and phonemic awareness, decoding, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies if the educator is renewing any of the following coverages: Elementary Education (K-6), Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), Primary Education (grades K-3), English (grades 1-6), Middle Grades English (grades 5-9), Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (grades 5-9), English (6-12), Reading (K-12), Reading (Endorsement), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (grades K-12).

(b) through (c) No change.

(8) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.585 FS. Law Implemented 1012.55, 1012.585 FS. History–New 12-25-86, Amended 4-23-91, 2-12-92, 10-15-01, 12-27-04, 2-25-14, 12-31-14, 12-22-19,

 

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Daniel M. Moore, Bureau Chief, Educator Certification.

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Richard Corcoran, Commissioner, Department of Education.

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 22, 2021

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: October 29, 2021