The purpose of this rule amendment is to revise the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) score verification process and to increase the fee for the score verification process from $25 to $75. The revision of the score verification ...

 

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

State Board of Education

RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:

6A-4.0021Florida Teacher Certification Examinations

PURPOSE AND EFFECT: The purpose of this rule amendment is to revise the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) score verification process and to increase the fee for the score verification process from $25 to $75. The revision of the score verification process will limit examinees to reviewing test items in those subtests or examinations for which the examinees receive a failing score that is within 10 scale score points of the passing scale score of 200. The increase in fees will cover the actual cost of the review. The effect will be the consistency with Section 1012.56(9)(d), Florida Statutes.

SUMMARY: The rule is proposed for amendment to adopt a new eligibility criterion for score verification process and increase score verification processing fee.

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 been prepared by the agency.

The proposed rule reflects an additional $50 fee for score verification process. The number of anticipated requests is not expected to exceed 400 per year, so the total regulatory costs are not anticipated to exceed $20,000 per year.

The Agency has determined that the proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification based on the statement of estimated regulatory costs.

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: 1012.56(9) Florida Statutes.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.56 Florida Statutes.

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

DATE AND TIME: September 17, 2013, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Forest Hill Community High School, 6901 Parker Avenue, West Palm Beach, FL 33405

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Jane Fletcher, Director, Office of Accountability and Policy Research, Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 844, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone], [e-mail]

 

THE FULL TEXT OF THE PROPOSED RULE IS:

 

6A-4.0021 Florida Teacher Certification Examinations.

(1) Scope. This rule governs the written examinations for teacher certification. Additional requirements for certification are specified in Chapter 6A-4, F.A.C.

(2) through (5) No change.

(6) Examinee with a disability. An applicant who is unable to complete the examinations under standard testing conditions because of a disability may request special arrangements. Such a request shall be made when the examination application is submitted. Lack of proficiency in the English language alone shall not be acceptable as a justifiable reason for requesting a reader or extra time for an examinee. Special arrangements shall be provided for applicants with disabilities.

(a) Definition of terms.

1. A person with a disability means any person who:

a. Has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one (1) or more major life activities;

b. Has a record of such an impairment; or

c. Is regarded as having such an impairment.

2. The definitions for the phrases used in paragraph (6)(a) of this rule – physical or mental impairment, major life activities, has a record of such an impairment and regarded as having an impairment – are the same as in the definition of disability included in the Americans With Disabilities Act, 28 C.F.R. F.F.R. §§ 35.104(1), (2), (3) and (4).

(b) through (10) No change.

(11) Review.

(a) Requests for Verification. An examinee who fails one (1) or more examination(s) within ten (10) scale score points of the passing scale score (200) for failed examinations, including essays, short answer sections, and verbal responses, may file a written request with the test administration agency to verify that the examinations were scored accurately. An examinee may review their failed responses for performance only subtests (i.e., General Knowledge Essay, German K-12 oral interview, Speech 6-12 oral component) may file a written request with the test administration agency to verify the scores for failed examinations, including essays, short-answer sections, and verbal responses, to ensure that the examinations were scored accurately. The request shall be filed within thirty (30) days of the date the score report was released by the test administration agency. The fee for verification shall be seventy-five (75) twenty-five (25) dollars. The test administration agency shall notify the examinee of the results of the request within thirty (30) days of receipt of the request and fee.

(b) Score Verification Sessions. An examinee who fails one (1) or more examination(s) within ten (10) scale score points of the passing scale score (200) may review only those incorrect test items and/or performance component(s) contained within each examination meeting these criteria and bring to the Florida Department of Education’s attention, via the test administration agency, any scoring errors which may result in a passing score may review only those incorrect test items contained within each examination that was failed and bring to the Florida Department of Education’s attention any scoring errors which may result in a passing score. The procedures for test review are listed below:

1. through 7. No change.

Rulemaking Authority 1012.55(1), 1012.56, 1012.59 FS. Law Implemented 1012.55, 1012.56, 1012.59 FS. History–New 8-27-80, Amended 1-11-82, 1-6-83, 5-3-83, 10-5-83, 10-15-84, Formerly 6A-4.021, Amended 12-25-86, 4-26-89, 4-16-90, 7-10-90, 4-22-91, 10-3-91, 8-10-92, 11-28-93, 4-12-95, 7-1-96, 9-30-96, 10-1-99, 7-17-00, 7-16-01, 3-24-02, 7-16-02, 3-24-03, 7-21-03, 12-23-03, 7-13-04, 5-24-05, 5-23-06, 5-21-07, 5-19-08, 7-21-08, 7-9-09, 6-22-10, 6-21-11, 11-22-11, 8-23-12, 5-21-13,_________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Will Krebs, Deputy Commissioner, Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement

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

DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: August 13, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: July 19, 2013