The purpose and effect of this rule amendment is to adopt specific requirements to be eligible for a special temporary certificate in educational leadership. In addition, the existing rule is revised to clarify that an endorsement may be added only ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.004Florida Educator's Certificates with Academic, Administrative, Degreed Vocational, and Specialty Class Coverages

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose and effect of this rule amendment is to adopt specific requirements to be eligible for a special temporary certificate in educational leadership. In addition, the existing rule is revised to clarify that an endorsement may be added only to a three-year nonrenewable temporary or renewable professional certificate. The rule also clarifies that subjects may only be added to a renewable professional certificate.

SUMMARY: This rule will adopt the specific requirements and implementation of the application process for an individual to be eligible for a special temporary Florida Educator’s Certificate in educational leadership. Procedures for addition of endorsements and subjects are clarified as stated above.

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 provides an opportunity for a temporary Florida Educator’s Certificate and does not contain any revisions imposing costs on any stakeholder.

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: 1012.55 FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.55 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 21, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Miami Lakes Educational Center, 5780 NW 158th Street, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: David C. LaJeunesse, Chief, Educator Certification, Florida Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 201, Tallahassee, Florida, 32399-0400, [phone]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.004 Florida Educator’s Certificates with Academic, Administrative, Degreed Vocational, and Specialty Class Coverages.

A Florida educator’s certificate is issued to an applicant with academic, administrative, degreed vocational, and specialty class coverages as specified below.

(1) through (4) No change.

(5) Special temporary certificate covering only educational leadership.

(a) A special temporary certificate valid for three (3) school fiscal years reflecting educational leadership may be issued to an applicant who meets the following requirements:

1. Completes the application requirements as specified in Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C.,

2. Submits official documentation of a bachelor’s degree granted from an accredited or approved institution as specified in Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C.,

3. Submits acceptable verification approved by the school employer of three (3) years of successful employment experience in a full-time executive management or leadership position,

4. Earns a passing score on the Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE), as specified in Rule 6A-4.00821, F.A.C., administered on or after January 1, 2014,

5. Obtains full-time employment as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)2., of this rule, and

6. Submits fingerprint reports as specified in subparagraph (1)(a)3., of this rule.

(b) A person operating under a special temporary certificate covering educational leadership must be under the mentorship of a school administrator with certification under the Florida School Leaders Certification program as specified in Rule 6A-4.0081, F.A.C. A request for issuance of the special temporary certificate covering educational leadership shall be submitted to the Department on which the employer must attest to provide a state-certified school administrator, designated as the applicant’s mentor during the term of the special temporary certificate.

(c) An applicant who holds a special temporary certificate covering only educational leadership, or held the same which has expired, may be issued a professional certificate provided all requirements for the professional certificate in effect at the time the application is filed have been completed, as specified in subsection (2) of this rule, which includes satisfying the specialization requirements for Educational Leadership as specified in Rule 6A-4.0082, F.A.C.

(6)(5) Addition of subjects to a professional certificate. A subject may be added to a valid renewable professional certificate when an applicant meets the following requirements:

(a) Completes application requirements as specified in Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C., and

(b) Demonstrates mastery of the subject matter as specified in Section 1012.56(5), F.S., for each subject to be added to a professional certificate.

(7)(6) Addition of endorsements. An endorsement may be added to a valid three-year nonrenewable temporary or renewable professional certificate when an applicant meets the following requirements:

(a) Completes the application requirements as specified in Rule 6A-4.0012, F.A.C., and

(b) Satisfies the specialization requirements specified in the rules of the Florida State Board of Education for each endorsement to be added to the certificate.

(8)(7) Expired certificates.

(a) through (c) No change.

(d) An applicant whose professional certificate has been expired may reinstate the professional certificate if requirements are completed as specified in subsection 6A-4.0051(7)(6), F.A.C.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1012.54, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. History–Amended 4-20-64, 4-8-68, 7-7-68, 4-11-69, 4-11-70, 9-17-72, 8-17-74, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Amended 11-9-76, 7-1-79, 8-27-80, 1-3-82, 4-26-84, 11-18-84, 6-18-85, Formerly 6A-4.04, Amended 12-25-86, 10-18-88, 9-12-89, 12-4-89, 4-15-91, 10-10-91, 5-3-94, 10-15-01, 12-27-04, 11-26-08,__________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Brian Dassler, Deputy Chancellor for Educator Quality

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Pam Stewart, Commissioner, Department of Education

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: December 17, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: August 5, 2013