These rule amendments will align provisions with recent changes to s. 1012.56, F.S., from House Bill 1 in the 2023 legislative session, which was signed into law on March 27, 2023. Rule 6A-4.002, F.A.C., will allow educators ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NOS.:RULE TITLES:

6A-4.002General Provisions

6A-4.003Degrees, Programs, and Credits

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: These rule amendments will align provisions with recent changes to s. 1012.56, F.S., from House Bill 1 in the 2023 legislative session, which was signed into law on March 27, 2023.

Rule 6A-4.002, F.A.C., will allow educators to waive the General Knowledge test if they have taken and failed the test and received at least three years of support, and received effective or highly effective summative evaluations for each of the three most recent years they were rated. Additionally, this rule will allow educators to waive the Professional Education test if they have completed required professional preparation courses, demonstrated professional education competencies, and received effective or highly effective summative evaluations for each of the three most recent years they were rated.

Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C., will allow educators to demonstrate subject area mastery if they have a master’s or higher degree in a bachelor level subject area for which a Florida subject area examination exists, as identified in the list incorporated into this rule.

SUMMARY: The rules will be amended to align with the statutory language in section 1012.56(3), (5) and (6), Florida Statutes, to provide options for educators to demonstrate mastery of general knowledge, mastery of professional preparation and education competence, and subject area mastery and be eligible for a Professional Certificate.

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. This is based upon the nature of the proposed changes, which amends the requirements for mastery of general knowledge, mastery of professional preparation and education competence, and subject area mastery for Professional Certificate eligibility.

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, 1012.56, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1001.10(5)(b), 1012.55, 1012.56, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: July 19, 2023, 9 a.m.

PLACE: Rosen Shingle Creek, 9939 Universal Blvd., Orlando, Florida 32819.

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Michelle L. Gaines, Bureau Chief, Educator Certification, [phone].

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.002 General Provisions.

(1) through (3) No change.

(4) Examinations. The examinations used for demonstration of mastery of general knowledge, professional education competence, and subject area knowledge shall be aligned with student standards approved by the State Board of Education pursuant to Sections 1012.56(4) and (9)(f), F.S., and Rule 6A-1.09401, F.A.C.

(a) through (f) No Change.

(g) An educator who has taken and failed the General Knowledge (GK) Test found in Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C., is eligible for a waiver of the GK Test if:

1. Subsequent to failing the GK Test, the educator was provided three or more years of support and instruction designed to help the educator pass the GK Test; 

2. The educator’s final summative rating under Section 1012.34, F.S., was either effective or highly effective for each of the three most recent years that the educator was rated; and

3. A school district or charter school submits to the Department’s Bureau of Educator Certification, the Form entitled “General Knowledge Test Waiver,” Form No. CT-134, providing assurances that the requirements listed in this paragraph have been met. This form, effective August 2023 (DOS link), is incorporated by reference. A copy may be obtained at https://fl-ect.fldoe.org and submitted to [e-mail]. 

(h) An educator seeking to satisfy mastery of professional preparation and education competence by means of completion of a professional education competency program specified in Section 1012.56(6)(f), F.S., is eligible to waive the Professional Education Test found in Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C., if:

1. The educator successfully completes the professional preparation courses found in Rule 6A-4.006(2)(a), F.A.C.;

2. The educator successfully completes a professional education competency (PEC) program specified in Section 1012.56(9), F.S.;

3. The educator’s final summative rating under Section 1012.34, F.S., was either effective or highly effective for each of the three most recent years that the educator received a rating; and

4. A school district or charter school submits to the Department’s Bureau of Educator Certification the Form entitled “Professional Education Test Waiver,” Form No. CT-135, providing assurances that the requirements listed in subparagraphs 1.-3. have been met. This form, effective August 2023 (DOS link), is incorporated by reference. A copy may be obtained at https://fl-ect.fldoe.org and submitted to [e-mail].

(i) An educator seeking to satisfy mastery of professional preparation and education competence by means of completion of a professional learning certification program specified in Section 1012.56(6)(g), F.S., or a competency-based certification program specified in Section 1012.56(6)(h), F.S., is eligible to waive the Professional Education Test found in Rule 6A-4.0021, F.A.C., if: 

1. The educator successfully completes the applicable program; and

2. The educator’s final summative rating under Section 1012.34, F.S., is highly effective.

(5) through (6) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law Implemented 1001.10(5)(b), 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. History–New 4-10-64, Amended 4-8-68, 4-11-70, 10-18-71, 3-19-72, 12-18-72, 6-17-73, 4-19-74, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Amended 6-22-76, 6-27-77, 12-26-77, 4-27-78, 7-1-79, 7-2-79, 6-26-80, 7-28-81, 1-3-82, 5-11-82, 6-22-83, 3-28-84, 1-31-85, 3-13-85, Joint Administrative Objection Filed – See FAR Vol. 12, No. 11, March 14, 1986, Formerly 6A-4.02, Amended 12-25-86, 10-18-88, 10-10-89, 4-15-91, 11-10-92, 5-30-94, 11-13-96, 10-15-01, 12-27-04, 7-27-06, Joint Administrative Procedures Committee objection resolved by Chapter 86-156, Laws of Florida, Florida Administrative Register Vol. 35, No. 27, July 10, 2009, Amended 1-1-14, 12-31-14, 10-26-15, 6-23-161, 12-20-16, 2-19-19, 7-14-21, 9-20-22, 6-27-23,

 

6A-4.003 Degrees, Programs, and Credits.

Degrees, programs, and credits shall be determined acceptable for educator certification purposes based on the following:

(1) through (7) No change.

(8) Applicants who earned a Master’s or higher degree as specified in subparagraphs (3)(a)2.-4. of this rule from an accredited institution as defined in subsection (1) of this rule, will satisfy mastery of subject area knowledge per Section 1012.56(5), F.S., where the following conditions are met:

(a) The certification subject area as set forth in chapter 6A-4, requires a baccalaureate degree; and

(b) The Master’s or higher degree is conferred in a subject area that is identified on the document entitled Mastery of Subject Area Knowledge by Master’s or Higher Degrees, Document No. CT136. This document, effective August 2023, is incorporated by reference in this rule and may be obtained at https://www.fldoe.org/teaching/certification/.

(c)  Documentation of degree conferral must be submitted to the Department in accordance with paragraph (2)(e) of this rule.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. History–New 4-20-64, Amended 3-26-66, 4-8-68, 7-7-68, 4-11-70, 1-17-72, Repromulgated 12-5-74, Amended 6-22-76, 11-9-76, 10-12-77, 7-1-79, 1-3-82, 4-30-85, Formerly 6A-4.03, Amended 12-25-86, 9-12-89, 4-15-91, 11-25-97, 10-15-01, 3-22-05, 1-1-14, 6-23-16, 3-15-22,

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Michelle L. Gaines, Bureau Chief, Educator Certification.

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: June 23, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: 6A-4.002 May 26, 2023

6A-4.003 March 29, 2023