The purpose of this rule amendment is to adopt new competencies and skills for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Computer Science K-12 and Technology Education 6-12 subject areas, effective April 1, 2014. In addition, new passing ...

 

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 adopt new competencies and skills for the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE) Computer Science K-12 and Technology Education 6-12 subject areas, effective April 1, 2014. In addition, new passing scores for the Professional Education, English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) K-12, Mathematics 6-12, Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9, and the new Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 examinations will be adopted. These newly adopted passing scores will take effect March 1, 2014. The effect of these changes will be updated competencies and skills for the FTCE and modification of existing passing score requirements for the affected examinations.

SUMMARY: The rule is proposed for amendment to adopt the “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Twentieth Edition.” In addition, new passing scores for four FTCE subject area examinations and the Professional Education examination will be adopted.

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: 1) no requirement for SERC was triggered under Section 120.541(1), F.S., and; 2) no new fees are imposed in the proposed rule. Although an indeterminate increase in the number of examinees who are required to retake the examination(s) is predicted, the expected number of examinees and the resulting fees for the examinations will not approach the threshold for legislative ratification. The proposed rule is not expected to require legislative ratification pursuant to Section 120.541(3), 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: 1012.56(9) FS.

LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.56 FS.

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

DATE AND TIME: January 21, 2014, 9:00 a.m.

PLACE: Miami Lakes Educational Center, 5780 NW 158th Street, Miami Lakes, Florida 33014

THE PERSON TO BE CONTACTED REGARDING THE PROPOSED RULE IS: Phil Canto, Chief, Bureau of Postsecondary Assessment, Office of Assessment, Division of Accountability, Research, and Measurement, 325 W. Gaines Street, Suite 414, Tallahassee, FL 32399, [phone]

 

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) Description of the examinations and competencies to be demonstrated.

(a) The Florida Teacher Certification Examinations shall be developed by the Commissioner of Education.

(b) The written examinations shall include subtests of English language skills, reading, writing, mathematics, professional skills, and subject area specialty. These examinations may contain multiple-choice questions and questions requiring the examinee to write an answer or demonstrate a proficiency.

(c) The following competencies are to be demonstrated by means of the written examinations:

1. Before January 1, 2013, the general knowledge competencies and skills as contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Sixteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-00247), which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule effective July 1, 2012. Beginning July 1, 2013, the general knowledge competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Eighteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01498),” which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule effective July 1, 2013. Beginning March 1, 2014, the general knowledge competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Nineteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-02390), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule effective March 1, 2014. Beginning April 1, 2014, the general knowledge competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Twentieth Edition,” (INSERT LINK), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule effective April 1, 2014. These publications may be obtained by contacting the Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

2. Before January 1, 2013, the professional education test competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Sixteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-00247), which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. Beginning July 1, 2013, the professional education competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Eighteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01498), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. Beginning March 1, 2014, the professional education competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Nineteenth Edition,” (5-21-13), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. Beginning April 1, 2014, the professional education competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Twentieth Edition,” (INSERT LINK), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule effective April 1, 2014. These publications may be obtained by contacting the Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

3. Before January 1, 2013, the subject area competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Sixteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-00247) which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. Beginning January 1, 2013, the subject area competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Seventeenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-00716), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule effective January 1, 2013. Beginning July 1, 2013, the subject area competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Eighteenth Edition,” (http://www.flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-01498), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. Beginning March 1, 2014, the subject area competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Nineteenth Edition,” (5-21-13), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. Beginning April 1, 2014, the subject area competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Twentieth Edition,” (INSERT LINK), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule effective April 1, 2014. These publications may be obtained by contacting the Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400.

(3) through (7) No changes.

(8) Scoring the professional education test.

(a) Effective July 2003, the passing score for the professional education test shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to an examination raw score that results in an examinee passing rate of ninety-one (91) percent, which was the passing rate of teacher candidates who took the professional education test for the first time during the 2001-2002 examination administration year. In the event that fewer than fifty (50) examinees are tested in the July 2003 administration, the passing score shall be sixty (60) percent of the items.

(b) Effective July 1, 2005, the passing score for the professional education test shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled passing score will be equivalent to eighty (80) correct items on the July and October 2003 test administrations.

(c) Effective March 1, 2014, the passing score for the Professional Education examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-five (85) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered in May 2013.

(9) Scoring of the subject area specialty examinations.

(a) through (t) No change.

(u) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Biology 6-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-three (83) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered between January 2011 and April 2012.

(v)(y) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Chemistry 6-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of seventy-one (71) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered between January 2011 and April 2012.

(w) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Middle Grades General Science 5-9 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-four (84) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered between January 2011 and April 2012.

(x) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Earth-Space Science 6-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-three (83) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered between January 2011 and April 2012.

(y) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Physics 6-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of sixty (60) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered between January 2011 and April 2012.

(z) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Physical Education K-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-five (85) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered in January and February 2012.

(aa) Effective September 1, 2012, the passing score for the Health K-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-three (83) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered between January and March 2012.

(bb) Effective March 1, 2014, the passing score for the English for Speakers of Other Languages K-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of eighty-one (81) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered in May and June 2013.

(cc) Effective March 1, 2014, the passing score for the Mathematics 6-12 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of forty-eight (48) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered in July and August 2013.

(dd) Effective March 1, 2014, the passing score for the Middle Grades Mathematics 5-9 examination shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to a raw score of fifty-two (52) correct items on the test form used for standard setting and administered in July and August 2013.

(ee) Effective March 1, 2014, the passing score for the new Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 subtests listed below shall be a scaled score of at least two hundred (200). This scaled score shall be equivalent to the following raw scores on the test forms used for standard setting and administered in July and August 2013:

1. Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Subtest 1: Developmental Knowledge: thirty-eight (38) correct items.

2. Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Subtest 2: Language Arts and Reading: forty-one (41) correct items.

3. Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Subtest 3: Mathematics: thirty-two (32) correct items.

4. Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 Subtest 4: Science: thirty (30) correct items.

(ff)(bb) The Commissioner of Education shall review the passing score for each of the General Knowledge Subtests, each of the subject area specialty examinations, and the professional education test not less than once every five (5) years and determine whether to recommend to the State Board of Education to maintain or change the existing passing scores.

(10) through (11) 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, 10-22-13,___________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Juan Copa, Deputy Commissioner, 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: December 18, 2013

DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: November 26, 2013