DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Florida’s Office of Early Learning
RULE NO.:RULE TITLE:
6M-4.735Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways
NOTICE OF CHANGE
Notice is hereby given that the following changes have been made to the proposed rule in accordance with subparagraph 120.54(3)(d)1., F.S., published in Vol. 46, No. 85, April 30, 2020 issue of the Florida Administrative Register. Changes to the rule are made in response to written comments provided by the Joint Administrative Procedures Committee in their correspondence dated May 12, 2020 and comments provided at the public hearing held on May 21, 2020. The changes are as follows:
6M-4.735 Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways
(1)(a) through (j) No change.
(2) (a) through (d) No change.
(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 once the teacher or director has successfully completed or attained a credential or academic degree outlined in Form OEL-SR 735, Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways Handbook (August, 2020). 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) No change.
(4) No change.
Rulemaking Authority 1001.213(2), 1002.995(3), F.S. Law Implemented 1002.995, F.S.
Form OEL –SR 735 Early Learning Professional Development Standards and Career Pathways Handbook
The order of acceptable degrees/coursework within the “Professional Development Designations” section for Early Childhood or After-School Educator III section on page eighty (80) was revised to match the order of these degrees/coursework listed in the corresponding infographic on page eighty-three (83). The new language will read as follows:
Bachelor’s degree or higher in field* or Bachelor’s degree with at least 36 early childhood education/child development, family and child sciences, elementary education or youth development credits from a US Department of Education accredited institution., family and child sciences, elementary education or
