The purpose of this rule amendment is to adopt new Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) passing scores, effective January 1, 2025, for the following FTCE test areas: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.0021Florida Teacher Certification Examinations

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to adopt new Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) passing scores, effective January 1, 2025, for the following FTCE test areas: English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) K–12; Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K–12; English 6–12 (both subtests: Multiple-Choice and Writing); Middle Grades English 5–9 (both subtests: Multiple-Choice and Writing); Mathematics 6–12; Middle Grades Mathematics 5–9; Music K–12; Reading K–12; Speech-Language Impaired K–12; Elementary Education K–6 Subtest 1: Language Arts and Reading; Elementary Education K–6 Subtest 4: Mathematics; Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Subtest 2: Language Arts and Reading; Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 Subtest 3: Mathematics; and the General Knowledge test (all four subtests: Essay, English Language Skills [ELS], Reading, and Mathematics).

SUMMARY: The purpose of this proposed rule amendment is to adopt passing scores for select FTCE test areas.

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 establishes the passing scores for select FTCE test areas in accordance with s. 1012.56(10)(b), F.S. Based upon prior experience, 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.

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, 1012.55(1), 1012.56, 1012.59, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.59, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: November 20, 2024, 10:00 a.m.

PLACE: Caribe Royale Orlando, 8101 World Center Drive, Caribbean 1 and 2, Orlando, FL 32821.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Phil Canto, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Postsecondary Assessment, Office of Assessment, Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 414, Tallahassee, FL, 32399, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.0021 Florida Teacher Certification Examinations.

(1) through (6) No change.

(7) Scoring the general knowledge subtests.

(a) and (b) No change.

(c) Effective January 1, 2025, the passing scores for the general knowledge subtests listed below shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200) for multiple-choice subtests. The passing score for the Essay subtest shall be a total raw score of at least six (6). This scaled score shall be equivalent to the following raw scores on the test forms used for standard setting and administered between January and March 2024:

SUBTEST	SCORE
General Knowledge Subtest 1: Essay	A total raw score of at least six (6)
General Knowledge Subtest 2: English Language Skills	19 correct items
General Knowledge Subtest 3: Reading	21 correct items
General Knowledge Subtest 4: Mathematics	22 correct items

(8) No change.

(9) Scoring of the subject area specialty examinations.

(a) through (bb) No change.

(cc) Effective January 1, 2025, the passing score for the subject area specialty examinations listed below shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to the following raw scores on the test forms used for standard setting and administered between July and December 2023:

SUBJECT	SCORE
Music K–12	54 correct items
Speech-Language Impaired K–12	55 correct items

(dd) Effective January 1, 2025, the passing score for the English 6–12 and Middle Grades English 5–9 multiple-choice subtests shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). The passing score for the writing sections shall be a total raw score of at least five (5). This scaled score shall be equivalent to the following raw scores on the test forms used for standard setting and administered between January and March 2024:

SUBTEST	SCORE
English 6–12 Multiple-Choice	40 correct items
English 6–12 Writing	A total raw score of at least five (5)
Middle Grades English 5–9 Multiple-Choice	41 correct items
Middle Grades English 5–9 Writing	A total raw score of at least five (5)

(ee) Effective January 1, 2025, the passing score for the Elementary Education K–6 and Prekindergarten/Primary PK–3 subtests listed below shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to the following raw scores on the test forms used for standard setting and administered between January and September 2024:

SUBTEST	SCORE
K–6 Subtest 1: Language Arts and Reading	34 correct items
K–6 Subtest 4: Mathematics	25 correct items
PK–3 Subtest 2: Language Arts and Reading	30 correct items
PK–3 Subtest 3: Mathematics	26 correct items

(ff) Effective January 1, 2025, the passing score for the subject area specialty examinations listed below shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to the following raw scores on the test forms used for standard setting and administered between January and March 2024:

SUBJECT	SCORE
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) K–12	51 correct items
English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) K–12	53 correct items
Mathematics 6–12	32 correct items
Middle Grades Mathematics 5–9	35 correct items
Reading K–12	55 correct items

(gg)(cc) The Commissioner of Education shall review the passing score for each of the General Knowledge Subtests, each of the subject area specialty examinations, and the professional education test not less than once every five (5) years and determine whether to recommend to the State Board of Education to maintain or change the existing passing scores.

(10) through (15) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55(1), 1012.56, 1012.59 FS. Law Implemented 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.59 FS. History–New 8-27-80, Amended 1-11-82, 1-6-83, 5-3-83, 10-5-83, 10-15-84, Formerly 6A-4.021, Amended 12-25-86, 4-26-89, 4-16-90, 7-10-90, 4-22-91, 10-3-91, 8-10-92, 11-28-93, 4-12-95, 7-1-96, 9-30-96, 10-1-99, 7-17-00, 7-16-01, 3-24-02, 7-16-02, 3-24-03, 7-21-03, 12-23-03, 7-13-04, 5-24-05, 5-23-06, 5-21-07, 5-19-08, 7-21-08, 7-9-09, 6-22-10, 6-21-11, 11-22-11, 8-23-12, 5-21-13, 10-22-13, 2-25-14, 12-23-14, 7-28-15, 10-26-15, 7-26-16, 2-20-17, 8-20-17, 6-19-18, 11-28-18, 4-22-19, 5-3-22, 11-23-22, 11-21-23,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Phil Canto, Bureau Chief, Bureau of Postsecondary Assessment, Office of Assessment, Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Manny Diaz Jr., Commissioner of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: October 8, 2024

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: August 22, 2024