To align provisions with recent statutory changes from the 2023 legislative session regarding the renewal of professional certificates found in HB 1537 (Ch. 2023-39, Section 31, Laws of Florida) and HB 7039 (Ch. 2023-108, ....

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.0051Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: To align provisions with recent statutory changes from the 2023 legislative session regarding the renewal of professional certificates found in HB 1537 (Ch. 2023-39, Section 31, Laws of Florida) and HB 7039 (Ch. 2023-108, Section 19, Laws of Florida).

SUMMARY: The rule amends the requirements for certain educators to renew their professional certificate. This amendment clarifies that the literacy training for renewal of a certificate in certain subject coverage areas must be grounded in the science of reading (HB 7039), and adds Exceptional Student Education (ESE) as a subject area that must receive specified literacy training for renewal after July 1, 2025. For individuals who hold a certificate in educational leadership, this rule amendment requires educators to earn a minimum of 1 college credit or 20 inservice points in Florida's educational leadership standards to renew their certificate, beginning with renewals in July 2025 or later (HB 1537).

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. and will not require legislative ratification. This is based upon the nature of the proposed changes, which amends the criteria for renewal requirements for the Professional Certificate.

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, 1012.585, F.S.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.55, 1012.585, F.S.

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

DATE AND TIME: August 23, 2023, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Collier County School Board Office 5775 Osceola Trail Naples, FL 34109.

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

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.0051 Renewal and Reinstatement of a Professional Certificate.

A professional certificate is renewed or reinstated and certification coverages retained on the certificate in accordance with the following provisions:

(1) through (6) No change.

(7) Special provisions for training in the instruction of reading for grades K-6.

(a) As a component of the credit requirements specified under paragraph (1)(a) of this rule, an educator whose application for renewal of a certificate with a beginning validity date of July 1, 2020, or thereafter, as specified in this rule, must have earned at least two (2) college credits, forty (40) inservice points, or a combination thereof, in evidence-based instruction and interventions grounded in the science of reading per Rule 6A-6.053, F.A.C., specifically designed for students with characteristics of dyslexia, including the use of explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction, developing phonological and phonemic awareness, decoding, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies if the educator is renewing any of the following coverages: Elementary Education (K-6), Prekindergarten/Primary Education (age 3 through grade 3), Elementary Education (grades 1-6), Primary Education (grades K-3), English (grades 1-6), Middle Grades English (grades 5-9), Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum (grades 5-9), English (6-12), Exceptional Student Education (grades K-12) (renewal beginning with a validity date of July 1, 2025), Reading (K-12), Reading (Endorsement), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (grades K-12).

(b) through (c) No change.

(8) Special provisions for educational leadership renewal of a professional certificate. As a component of the credit requirements specified under paragraph (1)(a) of this rule, an educator whose application for renewal of a professional certificate in educational leadership from a Level 1 or Level 2 program under Section 1012.562(2) or (3), F.S., with a beginning validity date of July 1, 2025, or later must have earned at least one (1) college credit or twenty (20) inservice points in Florida’s educational leadership standards found in Rule 6A-5.080, F.A.C.

(9)(8) Reinstatement of a professional certificate. The Department may reinstate an expired professional certificate if the certificate holder:

(a) through (e) No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.585 FS. Law Implemented 1012.55, 1012.585 FS. History–New 12-25-86, Amended 4-23-91, 2-12-92, 10-15-01, 12-27-04, 2-25-14, 12-31-14, 12-22-19, 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: July 25, 2023

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: June 26, 2023