The purpose and effect of the changes to Rule 6A-5.069, F.A.C., is to include a system-wide shift from “professional development” to “professional learning;” to establish a revised format and calendar for the review and ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

6A-5.069School District Professional Learning Systems

6A-5.071Professional Learning Catalogs

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of the changes to Rule 6A-5.069, F.A.C., is to include a system-wide shift from “professional development” to “professional learning;” to establish a revised format and calendar for the review and approval of professional learning systems by March 1, 2024; and to update the form incorporated into the rule. The purpose and effect of the changes to Rule 6A-5.071, F.A.C., is to incorporate a template for professional learning catalogs and to update rule language. These changes are largely prompted by House Bill 1537 and House Bill 7039.

SUMMARY: Rule 6A-5.069, F.A.C., revises the definition of substantial revisions to a professional learning system, provides notice of an annual calendar for review of systems and includes information on monitoring of systems. The incorporated template includes new requirements for approval, including requirements for contracted services and the science of reading. Rule 6A-5.071, F.A.C., incorporates a template for professional learning catalogs, updates citations and adds clarifying information about the criteria for initial approval.

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 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 rule, which updates language to reflect the revised standards for effective educators and to reiterate expectations outlined in statute.

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), 1012.56(13), 1012.98(8), 1012.986(3), F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1004.04, 1012.56, 1012.575, 1012.98, 1012.986, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 17, 2024, 9 a.m.

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

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Ashley Harvey, Director of Educator Retention and Professional Learning, Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-5.069 School District Professional Learning Systems.

(1) No change.

(2) Professional Learning Standards. Professional learning means learning that is designed for educators and is aligned to the state standards for effective professional learning, educator practices and leadership; incorporates active learning; is collaborative; provides models; and is sustained and continuous. The professional learning standards define Florida’s expectations for high-quality professional learning systems and opportunities, and form the foundation for school district professional learning systems and catalogs. There are seven (7) standards grouped into five (5) domains (i.e., Foundation, Needs Assessment and Planning, Learning, Implementing, and Evaluating) representative of stages in an improvement cycle. Each standard includes a title, description, and multiple indicators of what the standard may look like in practice.

(a) through (g) No change.

(3) Professional Learning System Requirements. To receive approval of its professional learning system, the school district must provide the following:

(a) through (h) No change.

(i) Confirmation that the system meets the requirements of Section 1012.98, F.S., as outlined in the Professional Learning System Template, Form PLST-2024 2022.

(4) Submission Process.

(a) School districts must submit professional learning systems to the Department for review and approval under the following circumstances:

1. No change.

2. The school district is making substantial revisions (i.e., revisions to the professional learning standards set forth in subsection (3) of this rule or the professional learning catalog other than editing for grammar, name changes, or year updates) to a previously approved professional learning system; or

3. No change.

(b) The timelines for submission and approval of professional learning systems will be posted to the Department’s website at least thirty (30) days before the submission due date. Initial or substantially revised systems may not be implemented by the school district prior to Department approval.

(c) Beginning in the 2022-23 school year,  Pprofessional learning systems must shall be submitted drafted using the Professional Learning System Template, Form PLST-2024 2022.

(d) School districts must shall submit the Template professional learning systems and any supporting documentation electronically to [e-mail] [e-mail].

(5) Approval Criteria and Period.

(a) A professional learning system shall be approved by the Department when the system:

1. Is submitted to [e-mail] [e-mail];

2. No change.

3. Fulfills the requirements of subsection (3) of this rule and Section 1012.98, F.S.; and

4. No change.

(b) A professional learning system shall maintains its approval designation for a period of five (5) years, if the system is not substantially revised and continues to comply with the requirements listed in Section 1012.98, F.S., and this rule.

(c) Annually, the Department will post at https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/professional-dev/ the calendar for review of professional learning systems for the following school year.

(6) Monitoring of Professional Learning Systems.

(a) The implementation of  professional learning systems will be monitored by the Department through off-site and on-site reviews. Districts will be provided no less than thirty (30) days notice of off-site monitoring and no less than sixty (60) days notice of on-site monitoring.

(b) Following an off-site or on-site review, the Department will provide districts a monitoring report that includes areas of noncompliance as well identification of strengths and weakness of the district’s professional learning system.

(c) School district must complete an action plan designed to address areas of noncomplaince and any weaknesses identified by the Department. Districts must submit their action plan within sixty (60) days of receipt of the Department’s monitoring report and submit documentation of the correction of identified deficiencies within sixty (60) days of submission of the action plan. Action plans and documentation of correction must be submitted to the following address: [e-mail].

(d) Within sixty (60) days of receipt of documentation of correction, the Department will notify the district of any additional monitoring the Department will conduct to support the district’s implementation of its professional learning system, including its action plan and any corrections of noncompliance.

(7) Prohibitions. 

(a) Initial or substantially revised systems must not be implemented by the school district prior to Department approval.

(b) A school district must not process certification forms for educators under Section 1012.56, F.S., unless it has an approved professional learning system and that system has not undergone substantial revision since approval by the Department.

(8)(6) Forms. The following form is hereby incorporated by reference: Professional Learning System Template, Form PLST-2024 2022 (February 2024 November 2022) (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-14907). Copies may be obtained from the Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 124, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1),(2)(n), 1012.56(13), 1012.98(8) FS. Law Implemented 1012.56, 1012.575, 1012.98 FS. History–New 5-3-22, Amended 11-22-22,

 

6A-5.071 Professional Learning Catalogs.

(1) The purpose of this rule is to set forth the requirements for professional learning catalogs, formerly known as master inservice plans, pursuant to Section 1012.98, Florida Statutes (F.S.), by outlining the requirements for catalog components, setting submission, amendment, and review criteria; identifying the entities eligible to create a catalog; providing specifications for awarding inservice points; prescribing record maintenance and data reporting requirements and providing a template for catalog submissions.

(2) Professional Learning Catalog Requirements. Pursuant to Section 1012.98(5)(4)(b)5., F.S., all school districts shall maintain, as a corollary of their professional learning system, a catalog that outlines all professional learning opportunities, referred to as components, for all school district employees from all funding sources.

(a) through (b) No change.

(c) Each school district and each other entity with a professional learning system must provide confirmation that the catalog components satisfy professional learning requirements outlined in the Professional Learning Catalog Template, Form PLCT-2024.

(3) Submission, Amendment, and Review Criteria by School Districts.

(a) through (d) No change.

(4) Alternative Preparation Programs. The approval of program plans for add-on certification programs by the Department of Education pursuant to Section 1012.575, F.S., shall be for a period of five (5) years. Components associated with the approved programs shall remain in the professional learning catalog throughout the approval period.

(5) Approval by the Department Other Eligible Entities. A developmental research school operated under the control of the State University System; an eligible state educational agency; an organization of private schools or consortium of charter schools that meets criteria specified in Section 1012.98(7)(6), F.S.; or a public or private college or university with a teacher preparation program approved pursuant to Section 1004.04, F.S., may develop a professional learning system and catalog.

(a) The catalog shall be developed meeting the criteria outlined in subsection (2) of this rule and submitted to the department for initial approval by the Department, based upon the requirements outlined in subsection (2) of this rule and the requirements of Section 1012.98(5)(b)5., F.S. Commissioner.

(b) After initial approval of a catalog, continued approval shall be in accordance with the criteria and procedures outlined in subsections (2) and (3) of this rule, and the requirements for reporting and data maintenance as required in subsection (7) of this rule and the requirements of Section 1012.98(5)(b)5., F.S.

(c) No change.

(6) Awarding of Inservice Points.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) Inservice points for any mandatory component not linked to student learning or professional growth may only be awarded to an educator holding a Florida Professional Certificate with a coverage area classified as “academic” or “degreed career and technical” once during their certificate’s five-year validity period, pursuant to Section  1012.585(3)(h)(g), F.S. Components linked to student learning or professional growth are defined as those that support increased student academic achievement, enhanced classroom instructional strategies that promote rigor and relevance throughout the curriculum, and the preparedness of students for continuing education and the workforce.

(7) No change.

(8) Forms. The following form is hereby incorporated by reference: Professional Learning Catalog Template, Form PLCT-2024 (Feburary 2024) (DOS Link). Copies may be obtained from the Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Room 124, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1012.98(8), 1012.56(13), 1012.986(3) FS. Law Implemented 1004.04, 1012.986, 1012.98, 1012.56, 1012.575 FS. History–New 11-25-75, Formerly 6A-5.72, Amended 4-10-79, 6-28-83, 7-15-84, 12-26-85, Formerly 6A-5.71, Amended 8-28-95, 7-2-98, 5-2-10, 11-28-18, 5-3-22,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Ashley Harvey, Director of Educator Retention and Professional Learning, Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and Retention.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 15, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 16, 2023