ENROLLED
2013 Legislature CS for CS for SB 1664, 1st Engrossed
20131664er
1
2 An act relating to education; amending s. 1004.04,
3 F.S.; revising legislative intent; revising the
4 requirements of State Board of Education rule for
5 uniform core curricula for state-approved teacher
6 preparation programs; revising the process for initial
7 approval of state-approved teacher preparation
8 programs; revising the requirements for continued
9 approval of state-approved teacher preparation
10 programs; requiring the State Board of Education to
11 adopt rules for continued approval of teacher
12 preparation programs; requiring the Commissioner of
13 Education to determine the continued approval of each
14 program; providing requirements for a report that
15 certain public and private institutions prepare
16 regarding their teacher preparation programs;
17 requiring the Department of Education to report to the
18 Governor, the Legislature, the State Board of
19 Education, the Board of Governors, the Commissioner of
20 Education, each Florida postsecondary teacher
21 preparation program, each district school
22 superintendent, and the public the results of each
23 approved program’s annual progress and the current
24 approval status of each program; revising the
25 requirements for preservice field experience; amending
26 s. 1004.85, F.S.; revising the definition of the term
27 “educator preparation institute”; authorizing a
28 qualified private provider to seek approval to offer a
29 competency-based certification program; revising the
30 criteria for approval of preparation programs;
31 requiring the department to approve a certification
32 program under certain circumstances; revising the
33 requirements for program participants; revising the
34 criteria for continued approval of programs; revising
35 the requirements for personnel that participate in
36 field experiences; providing requirements for
37 measuring student performance in instructional
38 personnel and school administrator performance
39 evaluations; providing requirements for the
40 performance evaluation of personnel for purposes of
41 the performance salary schedule; amending s. 1008.22,
42 F.S.; requiring each school district to establish and
43 approve testing schedules for district-mandated
44 assessments and publish the schedules on its website;
45 requiring reporting of the schedules to the Department
46 of Education; amending s. 1012.05, F.S.; conforming
47 provisions to changes made by the act; amending s.
48 1012.32, F.S.; conforming cross-references and
49 conforming provisions to changes made by the act;
50 amending s. 1012.55, F.S.; requiring the State Board
51 of Education to adopt rules that allow an individual
52 who meets specified criteria to be eligible for a
53 temporary certificate in education leadership;
54 amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; authorizing the State Board
55 of Education to adopt rules that allow for the
56 acceptance of college course credits recommended by
57 the American Council for Education; authorizing a
58 school district to provide a professional development
59 certification program; specifying the components of
60 the program; revising requirements for demonstrating
61 mastery of professional education competence;
62 requiring the Commissioner of Education to determine
63 the continued approval of the programs; requiring the
64 Department of Education to provide a review procedure
65 for an applicant who fails a certification
66 examination; requiring the applicant to bear the
67 actual cost in order for the department to provide an
68 examination review; amending s. 1012.585, F.S.;
69 conforming a cross-reference; amending s. 1012.71,
70 F.S.; renaming the Florida Teachers Lead Program as
71 the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance
72 Program; providing that the calculation of funds for
73 each teacher includes local contributions; requiring
74 that a teacher’s proportionate share of funds be
75 provided by any means determined appropriate,
76 including a debit card; providing requirements for the
77 debit card; authorizing the Department of Education
78 and the district school boards to enter into public
79 private partnerships; deleting provisions relating to
80 a pilot program established for the 2009-2010 fiscal
81 year; amending s. 1012.98, F.S.; authorizing rather
82 than requiring each school principal to establish and
83 maintain an individual professional development plan
84 for each instructional employee assigned to the school
85 as a seamless component to the school improvement
86 plans; providing an effective date.
87
88 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
89
90 Section 1. Section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to
91 read:
92 1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
93 teacher preparation programs.—
94 (1) INTENT.—
95 (a) The Legislature recognizes that effective skilled
96 teachers make an important contribution to a system that allows
97 students to obtain a high-quality education.
98 (b) The intent of the Legislature is to require the State
99 Board of Education to maintain attain a system for development
100 and approval of teacher preparation programs which that allows
101 postsecondary teacher preparation institutions to employ varied
102 and innovative teacher preparation techniques while being held
103 accountable for producing program completers graduates with the
104 competencies and skills necessary to achieve the state education
105 goals; help all students in the state’s diverse student
106 population, including students who have substandard reading and
107 computational skills and students with limited English
108 proficiency, meet high standards for academic achievement;
109 maintain safe, secure classroom learning environments; and
110 sustain the state system of school improvement and education
111 accountability established pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and
112 1008.345.
113 (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
114 (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant
115 to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which that establish uniform core
116 curricula for each state-approved teacher preparation program.
117 (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
118 state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
119 not limited to, the following:
120 1. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
121 2. The state-adopted content standards. a State Board of
122 Education identified foundation in
123 3. Scientifically researched reading instruction.,
124 knowledge-based reading
125 4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
126 computational skills acquisition; classroom management;
127 5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
128 language learners.
129 6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
130 with disabilities.
131 7. School safety; professional ethics; educational law;
132 human development and learning; and understanding of the
133 Sunshine State Standards content measured by state achievement
134 tests, reading and interpretation of data, and use of data to
135 improve student achievement.
136 (c) Each candidate must receive instruction and be assessed
137 on the uniform core curricula in the candidate’s area or areas
138 of program concentration during course work and field
139 experiences These rules shall not require an additional period
140 of time-to-degree but may be phased in to enable teacher
141 preparation programs to supplant courses, including pedagogy
142 courses, not required by law or State Board of Education rule
143 with the courses identified pursuant to paragraph (b).
144 (d) Before program completion, each candidate must
145 demonstrate his or her ability to positively impact student
146 learning growth in the candidate’s area or areas of program
147 concentration during a prekindergarten through grade 12 field
148 experience and must pass each portion of the Florida Teacher
149 Certification Examination required for a professional
150 certificate in the area or areas of program concentration.
151 (3) DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS.—A system
152 developed by the Department of Education in collaboration with
153 postsecondary educational institutions shall assist departments
154 and colleges of education in the restructuring of their programs
155 in accordance with this section to meet the need for producing
156 quality teachers now and in the future.
157 (a) The system must be designed to assist teacher educators
158 in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating
159 programs that meet state-adopted standards. These standards
160 shall emphasize quality indicators drawn from research,
161 professional literature, recognized guidelines, Florida
162 essential teaching competencies and educator-accomplished
163 practices, effective classroom practices, and the outcomes of
164 the state system of school improvement and education
165 accountability, as well as performance measures.
166 (b) Departments and colleges of education shall emphasize
167 the state system of school improvement and education
168 accountability concepts and standards, including Sunshine State
169 Standards.
170 (c) State-approved teacher preparation programs must
171 incorporate:
172 1. Appropriate English for Speakers of Other Languages
173 instruction so that program graduates will have completed the
174 requirements for teaching limited English proficient students in
175 Florida public schools.
176 2. Scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading
177 literacy and computational skills instruction so that program
178 graduates will be able to provide the necessary academic
179 foundations for their students at whatever grade levels they
180 choose to teach.
181 (3)(4) INITIAL STATE PROGRAM APPROVAL.—
182 (a) A program approval process based on standards adopted
183 pursuant to this subsection and subsection subsections (2) and
184 (3) must be established for postsecondary teacher preparation
185 programs, phased in according to timelines determined by the
186 Department of Education, and fully implemented for all teacher
187 preparation programs in the state. Each program shall be
188 approved by the department, consistent with the intent set forth
189 in subsection (1) and based primarily upon evidence of the
190 institution’s and the program’s capacity to meet the
191 requirements for continued approval as provided in subsection
192 (4) and by the rules of the State Board of Education
193 significant, objective, and quantifiable graduate performance
194 measures.
195 (b) Each teacher preparation program approved by the
196 Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall
197 require students to meet, at a minimum, the following as
198 prerequisites for admission into the program:
199 1. Have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0
200 scale for the general education component of undergraduate
201 studies or have completed the requirements for a baccalaureate
202 degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
203 from any college or university accredited by a regional
204 accrediting association as defined by State Board of Education
205 rule or any college or university otherwise approved pursuant to
206 State Board of Education rule.
207 2. Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge sufficient for
208 entry into the program, including the ability to read, write,
209 and perform in mathematics compute, by passing the General
210 Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination
211 or, for a graduate level program, obtain a baccalaureate degree
212 from an institution that is accredited or approved, the College
213 Level Academic Skills Test, a corresponding component of the
214 National Teachers Examination series, or a similar test pursuant
215 to the rules of the State Board of Education.
216
217 Each teacher preparation program may waive these admissions
218 requirements for up to 10 percent of the students admitted.
219 Programs shall implement strategies to ensure that students
220 admitted under a waiver receive assistance to demonstrate
221 competencies to successfully meet requirements for certification
222 and shall annually report to the Department of Education the
223 status of each candidate admitted under such a waiver.
224 (c) Each teacher preparation program approved by the
225 Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall
226 provide a certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and
227 procedures required for graduates to obtain educator
228 professional or temporary certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
229 (4)(5) CONTINUED PROGRAM APPROVAL.—Notwithstanding
230 subsection (4), failure by a public or nonpublic teacher
231 preparation program to meet the criteria for continued program
232 approval shall result in loss of program approval. The
233 Department of Education, in collaboration with the departments
234 and colleges of education, shall develop procedures for
235 continued program approval that document the continuous
236 improvement of program processes and graduates’ performance.
237 (a) Continued approval of a specific teacher preparation
238 program shall be based upon evidence that the program continues
239 to implement the requirements for initial approval and upon
240 significant, objective, and quantifiable measures of the program
241 and the performance of the program completers.
242 (a) The criteria for continued approval must include each
243 of the following:
244 1. Documentation from the program that each program
245 candidate met the admission requirements provided in subsection
246 (3).
247 2. Documentation from the program that the program and each
248 program completer have met the requirements provided in
249 subsection (2).
250 3. Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
251 a. Placement rate of program completers into instructional
252 positions in Florida public schools and private schools, if
253 available.
254 b. Rate of retention for employed program completers in
255 instructional positions in Florida public schools.
256 c. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
257 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
258 assessments using the results of the student learning growth
259 formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
260 d. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
261 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
262 student subgroup, as defined in the federal Elementary and
263 Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
264 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
265 prepares teachers to work with a diverse population of students
266 in a variety of settings in Florida public schools.
267 e. Results of program completers’ annual evaluations in
268 accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34.
269 f. Production of program completers in statewide critical
270 teacher shortage areas as identified in s. 1012.07 programs at
271 each public and nonpublic postsecondary educational institution
272 within the state is contingent upon the passing of the written
273 examination required by s. 1012.56 by at least 90 percent of the
274 graduates of the program who take the examination. The
275 Department of Education shall annually provide an analysis of
276 the performance of the graduates of such institution with
277 respect to the competencies assessed by the examination required
278 by s. 1012.56.
279 (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for
280 continued approval of teacher preparation programs which include
281 the program review process, the continued approval timelines,
282 and the performance level targets for each of the continued
283 approval criteria in paragraph (a). Additional criteria for
284 continued program approval for public institutions may be
285 approved by the State Board of Education. Such criteria may
286 include a must emphasize instruction in classroom management and
287 must provide for the evaluation of the teacher candidates’
288 performance in this area. The criteria shall also require
289 instruction in working with underachieving students. Program
290 evaluation procedures must include, but are not limited to,
291 program completer’s graduates’ satisfaction with instruction and
292 an employer’s satisfaction with, and the program’s
293 responsiveness to, local school districts. The Commissioner of
294 Education shall determine the continued approval of each program
295 based on the data collected pursuant to this section and the
296 rules of the State Board of Education Additional criteria for
297 continued program approval for nonpublic institutions shall be
298 developed in the same manner as for public institutions;
299 however, such criteria must be based upon significant,
300 objective, and quantifiable graduate performance measures.
301 Responsibility for collecting data on outcome measures through
302 survey instruments and other appropriate means shall be shared
303 by the postsecondary educational institutions and the Department
304 of Education. By January 1 of each year, the Department of
305 Education shall report this information for each postsecondary
306 educational institution that has state-approved programs of
307 teacher education to the Governor, the State Board of Education,
308 the Board of Governors, the Commissioner of Education, the
309 President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
310 Representatives, all Florida postsecondary teacher preparation
311 programs, and interested members of the public. This report must
312 analyze the data and make recommendations for improving teacher
313 preparation programs in the state.
314 (c) Each program must prepare and submit to the Department
315 of Education Continued approval for a teacher preparation
316 program is contingent upon the results of periodic reviews, on a
317 schedule established by the State Board of Education, of the
318 program conducted by the postsecondary educational institution,
319 using procedures and criteria outlined in an institutional
320 program evaluation plan approved by the Department of Education.
321 Each institutional program evaluation This plan must incorporate
322 the criteria established in paragraphs (a) and (b) and may
323 include additional data chosen by the program. The plan must
324 provide information on how the institution addresses continuous
325 program improvement and must include provisions for involving
326 primary stakeholders, such as program completers graduates,
327 public district school personnel, classroom teachers,
328 principals, community agencies, and business representatives in
329 the evaluation process. Upon request by an institution, the
330 department shall provide assistance in developing, enhancing, or
331 reviewing the institutional program evaluation plan and training
332 evaluation team members.
333 (d) Continued approval for a teacher preparation program is
334 contingent upon standards being in place that are designed to
335 adequately prepare elementary, middle, and high school teachers
336 to instruct their students in reading and higher-level
337 mathematics concepts and in the use of technology at the
338 appropriate grade level.
339 (e) Continued approval of teacher preparation programs is
340 contingent upon compliance with the student admission
341 requirements of subsection (4) and upon the receipt of at least
342 a satisfactory rating from public schools and private schools
343 that employ graduates of the program. Each teacher preparation
344 program must shall guarantee the high quality of its program
345 completers graduates during the first 2 years immediately
346 following completion of graduation from the program or following
347 initial certification, whichever occurs first. Any program
348 completer who is employed in a Florida public school during this
349 2-year period and who earns an evaluation result of developing
350 or unsatisfactory on the school district’s evaluation system
351 implemented under s. 1012.34 educator in a Florida school who
352 fails to demonstrate the essential skills specified in
353 subparagraphs 1.-5. shall be provided additional training by the
354 teacher preparation program at no expense to the educator or the
355 employer if requested by the employing school district or
356 charter school. Such training must consist of an individualized
357 plan agreed upon by the school district and the postsecondary
358 educational institution which that includes specific learning
359 outcomes. The postsecondary educational institution assumes no
360 responsibility for the educator’s employment contract with the
361 employer. Employer satisfaction shall be determined by an
362 annually administered survey instrument approved by the
363 Department of Education that, at a minimum, must include
364 employer satisfaction of the graduates’ ability to do the
365 following:
366 1. Write and speak in a logical and understandable style
367 with appropriate grammar.
368 2. Recognize signs of students’ difficulty with the reading
369 and computational process and apply appropriate measures to
370 improve students’ reading and computational performance.
371 3. Use and integrate appropriate technology in teaching and
372 learning processes.
373 4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Sunshine
374 State Standards.
375 5. Maintain an orderly and disciplined classroom conducive
376 to student learning.
377 (e)(f)1. Each Florida public and private institution that
378 offers a state-approved teacher preparation program must
379 annually report information regarding its approved these
380 programs to the state and the general public. The report to the
381 state must include a list of candidates who are admitted to, who
382 are enrolled in, or who complete a teacher preparation program;
383 additional evidence necessary to document requirements for
384 continued approval; and data necessary to complete applicable
385 federal reporting requirements. The state reporting requirements
386 must minimize a program’s reporting burden whenever possible
387 without compromising data quality. The report to the general
388 public must include, at a minimum, the annual progress data
389 reported by the state under this paragraph, and may include
390 other information chosen by the institution or program. This
391 information shall be reported in a uniform and comprehensible
392 manner that is consistent with definitions and methods approved
393 by the Commissioner of the National Center for Educational
394 Statistics and that is approved by the State Board of Education.
395 This information must include, at a minimum:
396 a. The percent of graduates obtaining full-time teaching
397 employment within the first year of graduation.
398 b. The average length of stay of graduates in their full
399 time teaching positions.
400 c. Satisfaction ratings required in paragraph (e).
401 2. Each public and private institution offering training
402 for school readiness related professions, including training in
403 the fields of child care and early childhood education, whether
404 offering career credit, associate in applied science degree
405 programs, associate in science degree programs, or associate in
406 arts degree programs, shall annually report information
407 regarding these programs to the state and the general public in
408 a uniform and comprehensible manner that conforms with
409 definitions and methods approved by the State Board of
410 Education. This information must include, at a minimum:
411 a. Average length of stay of graduates in their positions.
412 b. Satisfaction ratings of graduates’ employers.
413
414 This information shall be reported through publications,
415 including college and university catalogs and promotional
416 materials sent to potential applicants, secondary school
417 guidance counselors, and prospective employers of the
418 institution’s program graduates.
419 (f) By January 1 of each year, the Department of Education
420 shall report the results of each approved program’s annual
421 progress on the performance measures in paragraph (a) as well as
422 the current approval status of each program to:
423 1. The Governor.
424 2. The President of the Senate.
425 3. The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
426 4. The State Board of Education.
427 5. The Board of Governors.
428 6. The Commissioner of Education.
429 7. Each Florida postsecondary teacher preparation program.
430 8. Each district school superintendent.
431 9. The public.
432
433 This report may include the results of other continued approval
434 requirements provided by State Board of Education rule and
435 recommendations for improving teacher preparation programs in
436 the state.
437 (5)(6) PRESERVICE FIELD EXPERIENCE.—All postsecondary
438 instructors, school district personnel and instructional
439 personnel, and school sites preparing instructional personnel
440 through preservice field experience courses and internships
441 shall meet special requirements. District school boards may are
442 authorized to pay student teachers during their internships.
443 (a) All individuals instructors in postsecondary teacher
444 preparation programs who instruct or supervise preservice field
445 experience courses or internships in which a candidate
446 demonstrates his or her impact on student learning growth shall
447 have at least one of the following: specialized training in
448 clinical supervision; at least 3 years of successful, relevant
449 prekindergarten through grade 12 teaching, student services, or
450 school administration experience; and an annual demonstration of
451 experience in a relevant prekindergarten through grade 12 school
452 setting as defined by State Board of Education rule a valid
453 professional teaching certificate pursuant to ss. 1012.56 and
454 1012.585; or at least 3 years of successful teaching experience
455 in prekindergarten through grade 12.
456 (b) All school district personnel and instructional
457 personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students
458 during field experience courses or internships in which
459 candidates demonstrate an impact on student learning growth must
460 have evidence of “clinical educator” training, a valid
461 professional certificate issued pursuant to s. 1012.56, and at
462 least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through
463 grade 12 and must have earned an effective or highly effective
464 rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s.
465 1012.34 or be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation
466 system approved under s. 1012.34 successfully demonstrate
467 effective classroom management strategies that consistently
468 result in improved student performance. The State Board of
469 Education shall approve the training requirements.
470 (c) Preservice field experience programs must include
471 candidate practice provide specific guidance and demonstration
472 of the uniform core curricula specific to the candidates’ area
473 or areas of program concentration with a diverse population of
474 students in a variety of settings effective classroom management
475 strategies, strategies for incorporating technology into
476 classroom instruction, strategies for incorporating
477 scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading literacy and
478 computational skills acquisition into classroom instruction, and
479 ways to link instructional plans to the Sunshine State
480 Standards, as appropriate. The length of structured field
481 experiences may be extended to ensure that candidates achieve
482 the competencies needed to meet certification requirements.
483 (d) Postsecondary teacher preparation programs in
484 cooperation with district school boards and approved private
485 school associations shall select the school sites for preservice
486 field experience activities based upon the qualifications of the
487 supervising personnel as described in this subsection and the
488 needs of the candidates. These sites must represent the full
489 spectrum of school communities, including, but not limited to,
490 schools located in urban settings. In order to be selected,
491 school sites must demonstrate commitment to the education of
492 public school students and to the preparation of future
493 teachers.
494 (7) STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE.—The State Board of Education
495 shall approve standards of excellence for teacher preparation.
496 These standards must exceed the requirements for program
497 approval pursuant to subsection (4) and must incorporate state
498 and national recommendations for exemplary teacher preparation
499 programs.
500 (8) NATIONAL BOARD STANDARDS.—The State Board of Education
501 shall review standards and recommendations developed by the
502 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and may
503 incorporate those parts deemed appropriate into criteria for
504 continued state program approval, standards of excellence, and
505 requirements for inservice education.
506 (9) FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.—To the extent
507 practical, postsecondary educational institutions offering
508 teacher preparation programs shall establish articulation
509 agreements on a core of liberal arts courses and introductory
510 professional courses with field experience components which
511 shall be offered at Florida College System institutions.
512 (10) SHORT-TERM EXPERIENCES AS TEACHER ASSISTANTS.
513 Postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs
514 and Florida College System institutions, in collaboration with
515 school districts, may develop and implement a program to provide
516 short-term experiences as teacher assistants prior to beginning
517 a teacher preparation program or alternative certification
518 program. The program shall serve individuals with baccalaureate
519 degrees who are interested in the teaching profession. This
520 experience may be accepted for use in teacher preparation
521 programs and competency-based alternative certification
522 programs, where applicable.
523 (6)(11) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt
524 necessary rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to
525 implement this section.
526 Section 2. Section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to
527 read:
528 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
529 (1) As used in this section, the term “educator preparation
530 institute” means an institute created by a postsecondary
531 institution or a qualified private provider and approved by the
532 Department of Education.
533 (2)(a) Postsecondary institutions that are accredited or
534 approved as described in State Board of Education rule may seek
535 approval from the Department of Education to create educator
536 preparation institutes for the purpose of providing any or all
537 of the following:
538 1.(a) Professional development instruction to assist
539 teachers in improving classroom instruction and in meeting
540 certification or recertification requirements.
541 2.(b) Instruction to assist potential and existing
542 substitute teachers in performing their duties.
543 3.(c) Instruction to assist paraprofessionals in meeting
544 education and training requirements.
545 4.(d) Instruction for baccalaureate degree holders to
546 become certified teachers as provided in this section in order
547 to increase routes to the classroom for mid-career professionals
548 who hold a baccalaureate degree and college graduates who were
549 not education majors.
550 (b) A private provider that has a proven history of
551 delivering high-quality teacher preparation, which is based on
552 evidence provided from other state recipients of its services
553 and data showing the successful performance of its completers
554 based on student achievement, may seek approval to offer a
555 competency-based certification program under subsection (3).
556 (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
557 this section may offer competency-based alternative
558 certification programs specifically designed for noneducation
559 major baccalaureate degree holders to enable program
560 participants to meet the educator certification requirements of
561 s. 1012.56. Such programs shall be competency-based educator
562 certification preparation programs that prepare educators
563 through an alternative route. An educator preparation institute
564 choosing to offer a competency-based an alternative
565 certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
566 must implement a program previously approved by the Department
567 of Education for this purpose or a program developed by the
568 institute and approved by the department for this purpose.
569 Approved programs shall be available for use by other approved
570 educator preparation institutes.
571 (a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval,
572 the Department of Education shall approve a preparation an
573 alternative certification program pursuant to the requirements
574 of this subsection or issue a statement of the deficiencies in
575 the request for approval. The department shall approve a an
576 alternative certification program if the institute provides
577 sufficient evidence of the institute’s capacity to implement a
578 competency-based program that includes each of the following:
579 1.a. Participant instruction and assessment in the Florida
580 Educator Accomplished Practices.
581 b. The state-adopted student content standards.
582 c. Scientifically researched reading instruction.
583 d. Content literacy and mathematical practices.
584 e. Strategies appropriate for instruction of English
585 language learners.
586 f. Strategies appropriate for instruction of students with
587 disabilities.
588 g. School safety.
589 2. An educational plan for each participant to meet
590 certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to
591 teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking
592 certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her
593 competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1 Instruction
594 must be provided in professional knowledge and subject matter
595 content that includes educator-accomplished practices and
596 competencies specified in State Board of Education rule and
597 meets subject matter content requirements, professional
598 competency testing requirements, and competencies associated
599 with teaching scientifically based reading instruction and
600 strategies that research has shown to be successful in improving
601 reading among low-performing readers.
602 3.2. Field experiences appropriate to the certification
603 subject area specified in the educational plan with a diverse
604 population of students in a variety of settings under the
605 program must provide field experience with supervision of from
606 qualified educators.
607 4.3. The program must provide A certification ombudsman to
608 facilitate the process and procedures required for participants
609 who complete the program to meet any requirements related to the
610 background screening pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator
611 professional or temporary certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
612 (b) Each program participant must:
613 1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.
614 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in
615 the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet
616 the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f).
617 2. Participate in coursework and field experiences that are
618 experience that is appropriate to his or her educational plan
619 prepared under paragraph (a).
620 3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his
621 or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is
622 seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on
623 student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12
624 setting and achieving demonstrate mastery of professional
625 preparation and education competence by achievement of a passing
626 score on the professional education competency examination, the
627 basic skills examination, and the subject area examination for
628 the subject area certification which is required by state board
629 rule prior to completion of the program.
630 (c) Upon completion of all requirements for a an
631 alternative certification program approved pursuant to this
632 subsection, a participant shall receive a credential from the
633 sponsoring institution signifying that the participant has
634 completed a state-approved competency-based certification
635 program in the certification subject area specified in the
636 educational plan satisfaction of the requirements of s.
637 1012.56(6) relating to mastery of professional preparation and
638 education competence. A participant is shall be eligible for
639 educator certification through the Department of Education upon
640 satisfaction of all requirements for certification set forth in
641 s. 1012.56(2), including demonstration of mastery of general
642 knowledge, subject area knowledge, and professional preparation
643 and education competence, through testing or other statutorily
644 authorized means.
645 (d) If an institution offers an alternative certification
646 program approved pursuant to this subsection, such program may
647 be used by the school district or districts served by that
648 institution in addition to the alternative certification program
649 as required in s. 1012.56(8).
650 (4) Continued approval of each program approved pursuant to
651 this section shall be determined by the Commissioner of
652 Education based upon a periodic review of the following areas:
653 (a) Documentation from the program that each program
654 completer has met the requirements of paragraphs (3)(a)-(c);
655 (b) Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
656 1. Placement rate of program completers into instructional
657 positions in Florida public schools and private schools, if
658 available.
659 2. Rate of retention for employed program completers in
660 instructional positions in Florida public schools.
661 3. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
662 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
663 assessments using the results of the student learning growth
664 formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
665 4. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
666 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
667 student subgroups, as defined in the federal Elementary and
668 Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
669 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
670 prepares teachers to work with a diverse population of students
671 in a variety of settings in Florida public schools.
672 5. Results of program completers’ annual evaluations in
673 accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34.
674 6. Production of program completers in statewide critical
675 teacher shortage areas as identified in s. 1012.07.
676 (5)(4) Each institute approved pursuant to this section
677 shall submit to the Department of Education annual performance
678 evaluations that measure the effectiveness of the programs,
679 including the pass rates of participants on all examinations
680 required for teacher certification, employment rates,
681 longitudinal retention rates, and employer satisfaction surveys.
682 The employer satisfaction surveys must be designed to measure
683 the sufficient preparation of the educator to enter the
684 classroom. These evaluations shall be used by the Department of
685 Education for purposes of continued approval of an educator
686 preparation institute’s alternative certification program.
687 (6)(5) Instructors and supervisors of field experiences in
688 which participants demonstrate an impact on student learning
689 growth for a an alternative certification program approved
690 pursuant to this section must meet the same qualifications as
691 those required in s. 1004.04(5) possess a master’s degree in
692 education or a master’s degree in an appropriate related field
693 and document teaching experience.
694 (7)(6) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
695 this section and providing approved instructional programs for
696 any of the purposes in subsection (2) are eligible for funding
697 from federal and state funds, as appropriated by the
698 Legislature.
699 (8)(7) The State Board of Education may adopt rules
700 pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the
701 provisions of this section, including performance targets for
702 the measures used for continued program approval described in
703 subsection (4).
704 Section 3. Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary in
705 ss. 1012.22 and 1012.34, Florida Statutes, regarding the
706 performance salary schedule and personnel evaluation procedures
707 and criteria:
708 (1) At least 50 percent of a classroom teacher’s or school
709 administrator’s performance evaluation, or 40 percent if less
710 than 3 years of student performance data are available, shall be
711 based upon learning growth or achievement of the teacher’s
712 students or, for a school administrator, the students attending
713 that school; the remaining portion shall be based upon factors
714 identified in district-determined, state-approved evaluation
715 system plans. Student achievement measures for courses
716 associated with statewide assessments may be used only if a
717 statewide growth formula has not been approved for that
718 assessment or, for courses associated with school district
719 assessments, if achievement is demonstrated to be a more
720 appropriate measure of teacher performance.
721 (2) The student performance data used in the performance
722 evaluation of nonclassroom instructional personnel shall be
723 based on student outcome data that reflects the actual
724 contribution of such personnel to the performance of the
725 students assigned to the individual in the individual’s areas of
726 responsibility.
727 (3) For purposes of the performance salary schedule in s.
728 1012.22, Florida Statutes, the student assessment data in the
729 performance evaluation must be from statewide assessments or
730 district-determined assessments as required in s. 1008.22(8),
731 Florida Statutes, in the subject areas taught.
732 Section 4. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (8) of
733 section 1008.22, Florida Statutes, to read:
734 1008.22 Student assessment program for public schools.—
735 (8) LOCAL ASSESSMENTS.—
736 (d) Each school district shall establish schedules for the
737 administration of any district-mandated assessment and approve
738 the schedules as an agenda item at a district school board
739 meeting. The school district shall publish the testing schedules
740 on its website, clearly specifying the district-mandated
741 assessments, and report the schedules to the Department of
742 Education by October 1 of each year.
743 Section 5. Paragraph (p) of subsection (2) of section
744 1012.05, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
745 1012.05 Teacher recruitment and retention.—
746 (2) The Department of Education shall:
747 (p) The Department of Education shall Notify each teacher,
748 via e-mail, of each item in the General Appropriations Act and
749 legislation that affects teachers, including, but not limited
750 to, the Excellent Teaching Program, the Florida Teachers
751 Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program, liability insurance
752 protection for teachers, death benefits for teachers,
753 substantive legislation, rules of the State Board of Education,
754 and issues concerning student achievement.
755 Section 6. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section
756 1012.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
757 1012.32 Qualifications of personnel.—
758 (2)
759 (d) Student teachers and, persons participating in a field
760 experience pursuant to s. 1004.04(5) s. 1004.04(6) or s.
761 1004.85, and persons participating in a short-term experience as
762 a teacher assistant pursuant to s. 1004.04(10) in any district
763 school system, lab school, or charter school must, upon
764 engagement to provide services, undergo background screening as
765 required under s. 1012.56.
766
767 Fingerprints shall be submitted to the Department of Law
768 Enforcement for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks
769 and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal criminal
770 records checks. A person subject to this subsection who is found
771 ineligible for employment under s. 1012.315, or otherwise found
772 through background screening to have been convicted of any crime
773 involving moral turpitude as defined by rule of the State Board
774 of Education, shall not be employed, engaged to provide
775 services, or serve in any position that requires direct contact
776 with students. Probationary persons subject to this subsection
777 terminated because of their criminal record have the right to
778 appeal such decisions. The cost of the background screening may
779 be borne by the district school board, the charter school, the
780 employee, the contractor, or a person subject to this
781 subsection.
782 Section 7. Subsection (1) of section 1012.55, Florida
783 Statutes, is amended to read:
784 1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.—
785 (1)(a) The State Board of Education shall classify school
786 services, designate the certification subject areas, establish
787 competencies, including the use of technology to enhance student
788 learning, and certification requirements for all school-based
789 personnel, and adopt rules in accordance with which the
790 professional, temporary, and part-time certificates shall be
791 issued by the Department of Education to applicants who meet the
792 standards prescribed by such rules for their class of service.
793 (b) Each person employed or occupying a position as school
794 supervisor, school principal, teacher, library media specialist,
795 school counselor, athletic coach, or other position in which the
796 employee serves in an instructional capacity, in any public
797 school of any district of this state shall hold the certificate
798 required by law and by rules of the State Board of Education in
799 fulfilling the requirements of the law for the type of service
800 rendered. Such positions include personnel providing direct
801 instruction to students through a virtual environment or through
802 a blended virtual and physical environment.
803 (c) The Department of Education shall identify appropriate
804 educator certification for the instruction of specified courses
805 in an annual publication of a directory of course code numbers
806 for all programs and courses that are funded through the Florida
807 Education Finance Program. However, the state board shall adopt
808 rules authorizing district school boards to employ selected
809 noncertificated personnel to provide instructional services in
810 the individuals’ fields of specialty or to assist instructional
811 staff members as education paraprofessionals.
812 (d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant
813 to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to allow an individual who meets
814 the following criteria to be eligible for a temporary
815 certificate in educational leadership under s. 1012.56(7):
816 1. Earning a passing score on the Florida Educational
817 Leadership Examination;
818 2. Documenting 3 years of successful experience in an
819 executive management or leadership position; and
820 3. Documenting receipt of a bachelor’s degree or higher
821 from an accredited institution of higher learning.
822
823 A person operating under a temporary certificate must be under
824 the mentorship of a state-certified school administrator during
825 the term of the temporary certificate.
826 Section 8. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2), subsection (8),
827 and paragraph (d) of subsection (9) of section 1012.56, Florida
828 Statutes, are amended to read:
829 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
830 (2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to seek
831 certification, a person must:
832 (c) Document receipt of a bachelor’s or higher degree from
833 an accredited institution of higher learning, or a nonaccredited
834 institution of higher learning that the Department of Education
835 has identified as having a quality program resulting in a
836 bachelor’s degree, or higher. Each applicant seeking initial
837 certification must have attained at least a 2.5 overall grade
838 point average on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s major field of
839 study. The applicant may document the required education by
840 submitting official transcripts from institutions of higher
841 education or by authorizing the direct submission of such
842 official transcripts through established electronic network
843 systems. The bachelor’s or higher degree may not be required in
844 areas approved in rule by the State Board of Education as
845 nondegreed areas. The State Board of Education may adopt rules
846 that, for purposes of demonstrating completion of specific
847 certification requirements, allow for the acceptance of college
848 course credits recommended by the American Council for Education
849 (ACE), as posted on an official ACE transcript.
850 (8) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PREPARATION ALTERNATIVE
851 CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM.—
852 (a) The Department of Education shall develop and each
853 school district may must provide a cohesive competency-based
854 professional development preparation alternative certification
855 program by which members of a school district’s instructional
856 staff may satisfy the mastery of professional preparation and
857 education competence requirements specified in this subsection
858 and rules of the State Board of Education. Participants must
859 hold a state-issued temporary certificate. A school district
860 that implements the program shall provide a competency-based
861 alternative certification preparation program developed by the
862 Department of Education or developed by the district and
863 approved by the Department of Education. The program shall
864 include the following components:
865 1. A minimum period of initial preparation before prior to
866 assuming duties as the teacher of record.
867 2. An option for collaboration between school districts and
868 other supporting agencies or educational entities for
869 implementation.
870 3. Experienced peer mentors. Each individual selected by
871 the district as a peer mentor must hold a valid professional
872 certificate issued pursuant to s. 1012.56, must have earned at
873 least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through
874 grade 12, and must have earned an effective or highly effective
875 rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s.
876 1012.34 or be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation
877 system approved under s. 1012.34.
878 4. An assessment of teaching performance aligned to the
879 district’s system for personnel evaluation under s. 1012.34
880 which that provides for:
881 a. An initial evaluation of each educator’s competencies to
882 determine an appropriate individualized professional development
883 plan.
884 b. A summative evaluation postevaluation to assure
885 successful completion of the program.
886 5. Professional education preparation content knowledge
887 that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
888 a. The state-adopted student content standards, including
889 content literacy and mathematical practices, for each subject
890 identified on the temporary certificate Requirements specified
891 in state board rule for professional preparation.
892 b. The educator-accomplished practices approved by the
893 state board.
894 c. A variety of data indicators for monitoring student
895 progress.
896 d. Methodologies for teaching students with disabilities,
897 including technology-based methodologies, for teaching subject
898 content that supports the Sunshine State Standards for students.
899 e. Methodologies for teaching English language learners
900 appropriate for each subject area identified on the temporary
901 certificate Techniques for effective classroom management.
902 f. Techniques and strategies for operationalizing the role
903 of the teacher in assuring a safe learning environment for
904 students.
905 g. Methodologies for assuring the ability of all students
906 to read, write, and compute.
907 6. Required achievement of passing scores on the subject
908 area and professional education competency examination required
909 by State Board of Education rule. Mastery of general knowledge
910 must be demonstrated as described in subsection (3).
911 (b)1. Each school district must and a state supported
912 public school or a private school may develop and maintain a
913 system by which members of the instructional staff may
914 demonstrate mastery of professional education competence as
915 required by law. Each program must be based on classroom
916 application of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and
917 instructional performance and, for public schools, must be
918 aligned with the district’s evaluation system approved under s.
919 1012.34 must include a performance evaluation plan for
920 documenting the demonstration of required professional education
921 competence.
922 2. The Commissioner of Education shall determine the
923 continued approval of programs implemented under this paragraph,
924 based upon the department’s review of performance data. The
925 department shall review the performance data as a part of the
926 periodic review of each school district’s professional
927 development system required under s. 1012.98.
928 (c) The Commissioner of Education shall determine the
929 continued approval of programs implemented under paragraph (a)
930 based upon the department’s periodic review of the following:
931 1. Evidence that the requirements in paragraph (a) are
932 consistently met; and
933 2. Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
934 a. Rate of retention for employed program completers in
935 instructional positions in Florida public schools.
936 b. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
937 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
938 assessments using the results of the student learning growth
939 formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
940 c. Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
941 12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
942 student subgroups, as defined in the federal Elementary and
943 Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
944 6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
945 prepares teachers to work with a variety of students in Florida
946 public schools.
947 d. Results of program completers’ annual evaluations in
948 accordance with the timeline as set forth in s. 1012.34.
949 e. Production of program completers in statewide critical
950 teacher shortage areas as defined in s. 1012.07.
951 (9) EXAMINATIONS.—
952 (d) The department shall provide procedures for an
953 applicant who fails an examination developed by the department
954 or by an entity under contract with the department to review his
955 or her examination questions and his or her incorrectly answered
956 responses to the questions. The applicant bears the actual cost
957 for the department to provide an examination review pursuant to
958 this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law,
959 only an applicant who fails an examination within a score range
960 established by rule of the State Board of Education is entitled
961 to an examination review under this paragraph or to challenge
962 the validity of the examination If an applicant takes an
963 examination developed by this state and does not achieve the
964 score necessary for certification, the applicant may review his
965 or her completed examination and bring to the attention of the
966 department any errors that would result in a passing score.
967 Section 9. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
968 1012.585, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
969 1012.585 Process for renewal of professional certificates.—
970 (3) For the renewal of a professional certificate, the
971 following requirements must be met:
972 (a) The applicant must earn a minimum of 6 college credits
973 or 120 inservice points or a combination thereof. For each area
974 of specialization to be retained on a certificate, the applicant
975 must earn at least 3 of the required credit hours or equivalent
976 inservice points in the specialization area. Education in
977 “clinical educator” training pursuant to s. 1004.04(5)(b) s.
978 1004.04(6)(b) and credits or points that provide training in the
979 area of scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading
980 literacy and computational skills acquisition, exceptional
981 student education, normal child development, and the disorders
982 of development may be applied toward any specialization area.
983 Credits or points that provide training in the areas of drug
984 abuse, child abuse and neglect, strategies in teaching students
985 having limited proficiency in English, or dropout prevention, or
986 training in areas identified in the educational goals and
987 performance standards adopted pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and
988 1008.345 may be applied toward any specialization area. Credits
989 or points earned through approved summer institutes may be
990 applied toward the fulfillment of these requirements. Inservice
991 points may also be earned by participation in professional
992 growth components approved by the State Board of Education and
993 specified pursuant to s. 1012.98 in the district’s approved
994 master plan for inservice educational training, including, but
995 not limited to, serving as a trainer in an approved teacher
996 training activity, serving on an instructional materials
997 committee or a state board or commission that deals with
998 educational issues, or serving on an advisory council created
999 pursuant to s. 1001.452.
1000 Section 10. Section 1012.71, Florida Statutes, is amended
1001 to read:
1002 1012.71 The Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance
1003 Lead Program.—
1004 (1) For purposes of the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply
1005 Assistance Lead Program, the term “classroom teacher” means a
1006 certified teacher employed by a public school district or a
1007 public charter school in that district on or before September 1
1008 of each year whose full-time or job-share responsibility is the
1009 classroom instruction of students in prekindergarten through
1010 grade 12, including full-time media specialists and guidance
1011 counselors serving students in prekindergarten through grade 12,
1012 who are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program. A
1013 “job-share” classroom teacher is one of two teachers whose
1014 combined full-time equivalent employment for the same teaching
1015 assignment equals one full-time classroom teacher.
1016 (2) The Legislature, in the General Appropriations Act,
1017 shall determine funding for the Florida Teachers Classroom
1018 Supply Assistance Lead Program. The funds appropriated are for
1019 classroom teachers to purchase, on behalf of the school district
1020 or charter school, classroom materials and supplies for the
1021 public school students assigned to them and may not be used to
1022 purchase equipment. The funds appropriated shall be used to
1023 supplement the materials and supplies otherwise available to
1024 classroom teachers. From the funds appropriated for the Florida
1025 Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program, the
1026 Commissioner of Education shall calculate an amount for each
1027 school district based upon each school district’s proportionate
1028 share of the state’s total unweighted FTE student enrollment and
1029 shall disburse the funds to the school districts by July 15.
1030 (3) From the funds allocated to each school district and
1031 any funds received from local contributions for the Florida
1032 Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program, the district
1033 school board shall calculate an identical amount for each
1034 classroom teacher, which is that teacher’s proportionate share
1035 of the total amount allocated to the district from state funds
1036 and funds received from local contributions. A job-share
1037 classroom teacher may receive a prorated share of the amount
1038 provided to a full-time classroom teacher. The district school
1039 board and each charter school board shall provide each classroom
1040 teacher with his or her total proportionate share by September
1041 30 of each year by any means determined appropriate by the
1042 district school board or charter school board, including, but
1043 not limited to, direct deposit, check, debit card, or purchasing
1044 card, notwithstanding any law to the contrary. If a debit card
1045 is used, an identifier must be placed on the front of the debit
1046 card which clearly indicates that the card has been issued for
1047 the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program.
1048 Expenditures under the program are not subject to state or local
1049 competitive bidding requirements. Funds received by a classroom
1050 teacher do not affect wages, hours, or terms and conditions of
1051 employment and, therefore, are not subject to collective
1052 bargaining. Any classroom teacher may decline receipt of or
1053 return the funds without explanation or cause. This subsection
1054 shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2007.
1055 (4) Each classroom teacher must sign a statement
1056 acknowledging receipt of the funds, keep receipts for no less
1057 than 4 years to show that funds expended meet the requirements
1058 of this section, and return any unused funds to the district
1059 school board at the end of the regular school year. Any unused
1060 funds that are returned to the district school board shall be
1061 deposited into the school advisory council account of the school
1062 at which the classroom teacher returning the funds was employed
1063 when that teacher received the funds or deposited into the
1064 Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program
1065 account of the school district in which a charter school is
1066 sponsored, as applicable.
1067 (5) The statement must be signed and dated by each
1068 classroom teacher before receipt of the Florida Teachers
1069 Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program funds and shall include
1070 the wording: “I, ...(name of teacher)..., am employed by the
1071 ....County District School Board or by the ....Charter School as
1072 a full-time classroom teacher. I acknowledge that Florida
1073 Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program funds are
1074 appropriated by the Legislature for the sole purpose of
1075 purchasing classroom materials and supplies to be used in the
1076 instruction of students assigned to me. In accepting custody of
1077 these funds, I agree to keep the receipts for all expenditures
1078 for no less than 4 years. I understand that if I do not keep the
1079 receipts, it will be my personal responsibility to pay any
1080 federal taxes due on these funds. I also agree to return any
1081 unexpended funds to the district school board at the end of the
1082 regular school year for deposit into the school advisory council
1083 account of the school where I was employed at the time I
1084 received the funds or for deposit into the Florida Teachers
1085 Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program account of the school
1086 district in which the charter school is sponsored, as
1087 applicable.”
1088 (6) The Department of Education and district school boards
1089 may, and are encouraged to, enter into public-private
1090 partnerships in order to increase the total amount of Florida
1091 Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Programs funds available to
1092 classroom teachers For the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the Department
1093 of Education is authorized to conduct a pilot program to
1094 determine the feasibility of managing the Florida Teachers Lead
1095 Program through a centralized electronic system. The pilot
1096 program must:
1097 (a) Be established through a competitive procurement
1098 process;
1099 (b) Provide the capability for participating teachers to
1100 purchase from online sources;
1101 (c) Provide the capability for participating teachers to
1102 purchase from local vendors by means other than online
1103 purchasing;
1104 (d) Generally comply with the provisions of this section;
1105 (e) Be subject to annual auditing requirements to ensure
1106 accountability for funds received and disbursed; and
1107 (f) Provide for all unused funds to be returned to the
1108 state at the close of each fiscal year.
1109
1110 Any participation in this pilot program by school districts and
1111 individual teachers must be on a voluntary basis. The department
1112 may limit the number of participating districts to the number it
1113 deems feasible to adequately measure the viability of the pilot
1114 program. The department is not required to implement this pilot
1115 program if it determines that the number of school districts
1116 willing to participate is insufficient to adequately measure the
1117 viability of the pilot program.
1118 Section 11. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
1119 1012.98, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1120 1012.98 School Community Professional Development Act.—
1121 (4) The Department of Education, school districts, schools,
1122 Florida College System institutions, and state universities
1123 share the responsibilities described in this section. These
1124 responsibilities include the following:
1125 (b) Each school district shall develop a professional
1126 development system as specified in subsection (3). The system
1127 shall be developed in consultation with teachers, teacher
1128 educators of Florida College System institutions and state
1129 universities, business and community representatives, and local
1130 education foundations, consortia, and professional
1131 organizations. The professional development system must:
1132 1. Be approved by the department. All substantial revisions
1133 to the system shall be submitted to the department for review
1134 for continued approval.
1135 2. Be based on analyses of student achievement data and
1136 instructional strategies and methods that support rigorous,
1137 relevant, and challenging curricula for all students. Schools
1138 and districts, in developing and refining the professional
1139 development system, shall also review and monitor school
1140 discipline data; school environment surveys; assessments of
1141 parental satisfaction; performance appraisal data of teachers,
1142 managers, and administrative personnel; and other performance
1143 indicators to identify school and student needs that can be met
1144 by improved professional performance.
1145 3. Provide inservice activities coupled with followup
1146 support appropriate to accomplish district-level and school
1147 level improvement goals and standards. The inservice activities
1148 for instructional personnel shall focus on analysis of student
1149 achievement data, ongoing formal and informal assessments of
1150 student achievement, identification and use of enhanced and
1151 differentiated instructional strategies that emphasize rigor,
1152 relevance, and reading in the content areas, enhancement of
1153 subject content expertise, integrated use of classroom
1154 technology that enhances teaching and learning, classroom
1155 management, parent involvement, and school safety.
1156 4. Include a master plan for inservice activities, pursuant
1157 to rules of the State Board of Education, for all district
1158 employees from all fund sources. The master plan shall be
1159 updated annually by September 1, must be based on input from
1160 teachers and district and school instructional leaders, and must
1161 use the latest available student achievement data and research
1162 to enhance rigor and relevance in the classroom. Each district
1163 inservice plan must be aligned to and support the school-based
1164 inservice plans and school improvement plans pursuant to s.
1165 1001.42(18). District plans must be approved by the district
1166 school board annually in order to ensure compliance with
1167 subsection (1) and to allow for dissemination of research-based
1168 best practices to other districts. District school boards must
1169 submit verification of their approval to the Commissioner of
1170 Education no later than October 1, annually.
1171 5. Require Each school principal may to establish and
1172 maintain an individual professional development plan for each
1173 instructional employee assigned to the school as a seamless
1174 component to the school improvement plans developed pursuant to
1175 s. 1001.42(18). The individual professional development plan
1176 must:
1177 a. be related to specific performance data for the students
1178 to whom the teacher is assigned,.
1179 b. define the inservice objectives and specific measurable
1180 improvements expected in student performance as a result of the
1181 inservice activity, and.
1182 c. include an evaluation component that determines the
1183 effectiveness of the professional development plan.
1184 5.6. Include inservice activities for school administrative
1185 personnel that address updated skills necessary for
1186 instructional leadership and effective school management
1187 pursuant to s. 1012.986.
1188 6.7. Provide for systematic consultation with regional and
1189 state personnel designated to provide technical assistance and
1190 evaluation of local professional development programs.
1191 7.8. Provide for delivery of professional development by
1192 distance learning and other technology-based delivery systems to
1193 reach more educators at lower costs.
1194 8.9. Provide for the continuous evaluation of the quality
1195 and effectiveness of professional development programs in order
1196 to eliminate ineffective programs and strategies and to expand
1197 effective ones. Evaluations must consider the impact of such
1198 activities on the performance of participating educators and
1199 their students’ achievement and behavior.
1200 Section 12. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.