The purpose of this rule amendment is to revise the current FTCE competencies and skills for the following examinations: General Knowledge, Elementary Education K–6, Middle Grades English 5–9, and English 6–12. In addition, the proposed rule will ...

 

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 current FTCE competencies and skills for the following examinations: General Knowledge, Elementary Education K-6, Middle Grades English 5-9, and English 6-12. In addition, the proposed rule will change the current fee structures for Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 and Elementary Education K-6, as a result of changes to test formats and scoring models. Overall testing time for the Elementary Education K-6 exam will remain unchanged as a result of these proposed rule changes. The effect is the proposed adoption of new competencies and skills and fee modifications for the aforementioned examinations.
SUMMARY: The rule is proposed for amendment to adopt the Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Nineteenth Edition. The new edition updates the competencies and skills for the General Knowledge, Elementary Education K-6, English 6-12, and Middle Grades English 5-9 examinations. In addition, fee changes for Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 and Elementary Education K-6, are proposed.
SUMMARY OF STATEMENT OF ESTIMATED REGULATORY COSTS AND LEGISLATIVE RATIFICATION:
The Agency has determined that this will 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.
It is estimated that the new fee schedule for the new Elementary Education K-6 examination will result in examinees paying $303,160 less than under the prior examination and fee schedule. It is estimated that the new fee schedule for the new PreK-3 examination will result in examinees paying an estimated $394,460 more than under the prior examination and fee schedule. This result is because on the PreK-3 examination, more students will likely have to retake one or more portions of the examination than under the prior examination. If the tests were revised without adjusting the fee schedule as proposed, the fiscal impact on examinees would be much higher. 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) FS.
LAW IMPLEMENTED: 1012.56 FS.
A HEARING WILL BE HELD AT THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE SHOWN BELOW:
DATE AND TIME: April 16, 2013, 8:00 a.m.
PLACE: Room LL03, The Capitol, 400 South Monroe Street, Tallahassee, Florida
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], [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) 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 2012, the general knowledge competencies and skills as contained in the publication, “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Fifteenth Edition.” Beginning with the January 1, 2012, test administration, 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. Beginning with the January 1, 2013, test administration, the general knowledge competencies and skills as 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, January 1, 2013, which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule.  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. 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,” (                          ), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. These Copies of 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 from the Department’s web site at http://www.fldoe.org/asp/ftce/.

2. Before January 1, 2013 2012, the professional education test competencies and skills contained in the publication, “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Fifteenth Edition,” which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. Beginning January 1, 2012, 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 January 1, 2013, the professional education test competencies and skills contained in the publication “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Eighteenth Seventeenth 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,” (                          ), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. These Copies of 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.as described in subparagraph (2)(c)1. of this rule, and

3. Before January 1, 2013 2012, the subject area competencies and skills contained in the publication, “Competencies and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida, Fifteenth Edition,” which is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule. Beginning January 1, 2012, 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. 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,” (        ), which is incorporated by reference and made part of this rule. These Copies of 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 as described in subparagraph (2)(c)1. of this rule.

(3) No change.

(4) Registration, fees, and refunds.

(a) Registration for the examinations shall be for the initial examinations or for one (1) or more examinations not previously passed. To register to take the examinations, an applicant shall submit a completed application to the test administration agency.

A completed application shall consist of the following:

A completed application Form CG-20-04, Registration Application: Certification Examinations for Florida Educators, which includes the applicant’s signature. Form CG-20-04 is hereby incorporated by reference and made a part of this rule to become effective September 1, 2009. This form may be obtained without cost from the Bureau of Educator Certification, Department of Education, 325 West Gaines Street, Tallahassee, Florida 32399 or may be submitted online via the Florida Teacher Certification Examinations/Florida Educational Leadership Examination Program website Web site at http://www.fldoe.org/asp/ftce.

(b) Beginning September 1, 2009, registration fees shall be as follows:

Examination	Fee
General Knowledge Test, First-Time Registration                            $130.00
General Knowledge Test, Retake Registration                                  $150.00
Professional Education Test, First-Time Registration                      $150.00
Professional Education Test, Retake Registration                            $170.00
Subject Area Examination, First-Time Registration                         $200.00
Subject Area Examination, Retake Registration                               $220.00

(c) Beginning July 1, 2013, registration fees for Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3 shall be as follows:

Prekindergarten/Primary PK-3	Fee
First-Time Registration (Full Battery)                                               $200.00
Single Subtest Retake Registration                                                    $150.00
Two Subtests Retake Registration                                                      $200.00
Three Subtests Retake Registration                                                    $220.00
Full Battery Retake Registration                                                         $220.00

(d) Beginning May 1, 2014, registration fees for Elementary Education K-6 shall be as follows:

Elementary Education K-6	Fee
First-Time Registration (Full Battery)                                                $200.00
Single Subtest Retake Registration                                                     $150.00
Two Subtests Retake Registration                                                      $200.00
Three Subtests Retake Registration                                                    $220.00
Full Battery Retake Registration                                                         $220.00

(ec) Refunds. Fees may be refunded provided written requests for refunds are received by the test administration agency at least twenty-four (24) hours preceding the examination date. Failure to appear for or to complete an examination shall result in forfeiture of fees.

(5) 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,__________.

 

NAME OF PERSON ORIGINATING PROPOSED RULE: Jane Fletcher, Interim Deputy Commissioner, Division of Accountability, Research and Measurement
NAME OF AGENCY HEAD WHO APPROVED THE PROPOSED RULE: Tony Bennett, Commissioner, Department of Education
DATE PROPOSED RULE APPROVED BY AGENCY HEAD: March 7, 2013
DATE NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE DEVELOPMENT PUBLISHED IN FAR: February 15, 2013