The purpose of the rule is to develop both formal and informal professional development training and course standards for early learning program instructors.

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Office of Early Learning

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6M-4.735Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of the rule is to develop both formal and informal professional development training and course standards for early learning program instructors.

SUMMARY: Formal and informal professional development training and course standards for early learning program instructors.

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 office's economic analysis of the adverse impact or potential regulatory costs of the proposed rule does not exceed any of the criteria established in s. 120.541(2)(a), F.S.

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: 1001.213(2), 1002.995(3), FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1002.995, FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: Thursday, May 21, 2020, 1:30 p.m. - 2:30 p.m. EDT or at the conclusion of business, whichever is earlier.

PLACE: Via GoToWebinar only, for which the link may be found at: http://www.floridaearlylearning.com/statewide_initiatives/laws_and_rules/proposed_rules.aspx

Pursuant to the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act, any person requiring special accommodations to participate in this workshop/meeting is asked to advise the agency at least 48 hours before the workshop/meeting by contacting: Katerina Maroney, [phone] or [e-mail]. If you are hearing or speech impaired, please contact the agency using the Florida Relay Service, 1(800)955-8771 (TDD) or 1(800)955-8770 (Voice).

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Katerina Maroney, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone] or [e-mail].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6M-4.735 - Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways

(1) Definitions.

(a) “Career Pathway” is a progression of professional development and training which may include non-credit and credit coursework. Career Pathways address professional educator standards and competencies.

(b) “Credential” is an official designation that identifies an individual’s professional education status or educational qualifications or competencies in a specific field or subject area.

(c) “Florida Early Care and Education Professional Development Registry or Registry” is a database by which the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) tracks the progression of completed professional development coursework and trainings of teachers and directors working in child care programs.  

(d) “Florida’s Standards and Key Competencies or Competencies” identifies the core knowledge and skills that a School Readiness teacher or director should know and be able to do in order to provide a quality early learning environment.

(e) “Formal Career Pathway” is a sequence of professional development coursework required for an academic degree from an accredited college or university.

(f) “Informal Career Pathway” is a sequence of professional development coursework or in-service trainings taken through the Registry or Registry approved training entity. Coursework and training in the informal career pathway does not lead to an academic degree from an accredited college or university.

(g) “Professional Development” is a continuum of continuing education opportunities available for teachers and directors designed to increase and strengthen the knowledge, skills, practices, and dispositions needed for School Readiness programs.

(h) “Professional Development Designation or Designation” identifies the professional development status or credentials earned along a career pathway. 

(i) “Specialization” is a sequence of coursework or training focused on specific topics such as infant-toddler, childcare center management, inclusion, etc. Specializations can be formal or informal.

(j) “Stackable Credential” is a credential that builds upon prior education or professional development to increase competencies for teachers and directors.

(2) Career pathways. A School Readiness Program teacher or director may enter a formal or informal career pathway recognized by the Registry upon completion of core training requirements. The requirements for each career pathway  are outlined in  Form OEL-SR 735, Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways Handbook (August, 2020), hereby incorporated by reference and may be obtained at the office website at www.floridaearlylearning.com or by contacting the Office of Early Learning, Department of Education, 250 Marriott Drive, Tallahassee, FL 32399. The incorporated form is also available at: Insert website link.

(a) Core training requirements include satisfactory completion of the following courses through the Registry:

1. Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards

2. Florida Core Competencies for Early Childhood Educators

3. Trauma-Informed Care for Child Care Professionals

(b) The informal career pathway includes completion of the core training requirements, foundational child care trainings offered through the Registry and attainment of a Florida Staff Credential or its equivalent as recognized by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Completion of an OEL approved specialization may also be included within the informal pathway.

(c) The formal career pathway includes completion of the core training requirements, foundational child care trainings offered through the Registry and attainment of an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution in an educational field accepted by DCF.

(d)  Individuals with a DCF approved educational exemption for foundational child care trainings are eligible to complete an informal or formal career pathway.

(e) A School Readiness teacher or director can earn a professional development designation as an early childhood educator or after-school educator on a career pathway. Designations are limited to early childhood educator (ECE) I through III or after-school educator (ASE) I through III. Early childhood and after school educator designations are for individuals working with children from birth to kindergarten entry or birth to school age.

(3) Stackable credentials. A School Readiness Program teacher or director designated as an early childhood educator I through III (ECE I, ECE II, or ECE III) or an after-school educator I through III (ASE I, ASE II, or ASE III) can complete an identified credential(s) which may be stacked to earn a formal or informal specialization.

(4) Specializations.  A School Readiness Program teacher or director may complete a specialization in any of the topics outlined in Form OEL-SR 735. Individuals are not limited to a single specialization.  Informal or formal specializations recognized by the Registry can be added to the teacher’s or director’s Registry record at any time and will not expire.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2) FS. Law Implemented 1002.995, F.S. History-New

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Katerina Maroney, Deputy Director of Programs and Policy

NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Shan Goff, Executive Director

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: April 21, 2020

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: March 17, 2020