Senate Bill 2258
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
By Senator Cowin
11-1398C-98
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to education (RAB); amending s.
3 231.02, F.S., relating to qualifications of
4 district school system personnel; deleting
5 certain provisions relating to background
6 check; amending s. 231.096, F.S.; revising
7 provisions relating to teaching out-of-field;
8 amending s. 231.15, F.S.; providing State Board
9 of Education duties relating to teacher
10 certification; amending s. 231.17, F.S.;
11 revising provisions relating to qualification
12 for a temporary certificate; providing certain
13 decisionmaking authority of the Commissioner of
14 Education; amending s. 231.1725, F.S.; deleting
15 provisions relating to employment of
16 noncertificated teachers in critical teacher
17 shortage areas; providing for protection of
18 laws for students performing clinical field
19 experience; amending s. 231.24, F.S.; providing
20 certificate renewal requirements relating to
21 teaching students with limited English
22 proficiency; amending s. 231.261, F.S.;
23 providing rulemaking authority of the Education
24 Practices Commission; amending s. 231.263,
25 F.S.; clarifying provisions relating to the
26 recovery network program for educators;
27 amending s. 231.29, F.S.; requiring State Board
28 of Education rules relating to personnel
29 assessment; amending s. 231.47, F.S.;
30 conforming a cross-reference; amending s.
31 231.546, F.S., relating to the Education
1
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 Standards Commission; deleting duties relating
2 to teacher education centers; amending s.
3 231.600, F.S.; revising requirements of the
4 school district professional development
5 system; creating s. 231.6002, F.S.; requiring
6 school districts to develop professional
7 development plans; providing for stipends and
8 funding; providing for rules; amending s.
9 231.601, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to
10 teacher education center purposes; amending s.
11 231.625, F.S.; deleting provisions relating to
12 a teacher referral and recruitment center;
13 requiring establishment of a teacher
14 recruitment and retention services office;
15 amending s. 231.6255, F.S.; revising provisions
16 relating to the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador
17 for Education Program; creating s. 231.63,
18 F.S.; creating the Florida Educator Hall of
19 Fame; providing for nominations,
20 recommendations, and selection of members;
21 repealing s. 231.613, F.S., relating to
22 inservice training institutes; providing an
23 effective date.
24
25 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
26
27 Section 1. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (2) of
28 section 231.02, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
29 231.02 Qualifications of personnel.--
30 (2)(a) Instructional and noninstructional personnel
31 who are hired to fill positions requiring direct contact with
2
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 students in any district school system or laboratory school
2 shall, upon employment, file a complete set of fingerprints
3 taken by an authorized law enforcement officer or an employee
4 of the school or district who is trained to take fingerprints.
5 These fingerprints shall be submitted to the Department of Law
6 Enforcement for state processing and to the Federal Bureau of
7 Investigation for federal processing. School districts which
8 have authorized terminal access to the Florida Crimes
9 Information Telecommunications Network or the National Crime
10 Information Center may use this equipment for the background
11 check required by this subsection. Such new employees shall be
12 on probationary status pending fingerprint processing and
13 determination of compliance with standards of good moral
14 character. Employees found through fingerprint processing to
15 have been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude shall
16 not be employed in any position requiring direct contact with
17 students. Probationary employees terminated because of their
18 criminal record shall have the right to appeal such decisions.
19 The cost of the fingerprint processing may be borne by the
20 school board or the employee.
21 (b) Any provision of law notwithstanding, by January
22 1, 1997, for personnel currently required to be certified
23 under s. 231.17, and January 1, 1998, for all other personnel
24 currently employed by any district school system or any other
25 public school who have not been fingerprinted and screened in
26 the same manner outlined in paragraph (a) shall submit a
27 complete set of fingerprints taken by an authorized law
28 enforcement officer or an employee of the school or district
29 who is trained to take fingerprints. The fingerprints shall
30 be submitted to the Department of Law Enforcement for state
31 processing and the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal
3
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 processing. School districts which have authorized terminal
2 access to the Florida Crimes Telecommunications Network or the
3 National Crime Information Center may use that equipment for
4 the background check required by this paragraph. Employees
5 found through fingerprint processing to have been convicted of
6 a crime involving moral turpitude shall not be employed in any
7 position requiring direct contact with students. The cost of
8 the fingerprint processing may be borne by the school district
9 or the individual employee at a cost not to exceed $24.00.
10 Any additional cost shall be borne by the Department of
11 Education. Each local school board and laboratory school shall
12 develop policies necessary for the implementation of this
13 subsection. The Commissioner of Education shall provide
14 guidelines regarding standards of good moral character for use
15 in the development of these policies. Within these standards,
16 the lack of good moral character shall be defined as having
17 been convicted of a crime involving moral turpitude.
18 Section 2. Section 231.096, Florida Statutes, is
19 amended to read:
20 231.096 Teacher teaching out-of-field;
21 assistance.--Each school district shall have a plan to assist
22 any teacher teaching out-of-field, and priority consideration
23 in professional development activities shall be given to
24 teachers who are teaching out-of-field in summer inservice
25 institutes. A district may include in its annual summer
26 inservice institute plan a section that provides for
27 institutes in instructional areas identified as district
28 critical teacher shortage areas and approved by the Department
29 of Education.
30 Section 3. Section 231.15, Florida Statutes, is
31 amended to read:
4
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 231.15 Positions for which certificates required.--
2 (1) The State Board of Education shall have authority
3 to classify school services, designate the certification
4 subject areas, establish competencies and certification
5 requirements for all school-based personnel, and to prescribe
6 rules in accordance with which the professional, temporary,
7 and part-time certificates shall be issued by the Department
8 of Education to applicants school employees who meet the
9 standards prescribed by such rules for their class of service.
10 Each person employed or occupying a position as school
11 supervisor, principal, teacher, library media specialist,
12 school counselor, athletic coach, or other position in which
13 the employee serves in an instructional capacity, in any
14 public school of any district of this state shall hold the
15 certificate required by law and by rules of the state board in
16 fulfilling the requirements of the law for the type of service
17 rendered. However, the state board shall adopt rules
18 authorizing school boards to employ selected noncertificated
19 personnel to provide instructional services in the
20 individuals' fields of specialty or to assist instructional
21 staff members as teacher aides. Each person who is employed
22 and renders service as an athletic coach in any public school
23 in any district of this state shall hold a valid part-time,
24 temporary, or professional certificate. Each person employed
25 as a school nurse shall hold a license to practice nursing in
26 the state, and each person employed as a school physician
27 shall hold a license to practice medicine in the state. The
28 provisions of this subsection shall not apply to any athletic
29 coach who renders service in a voluntary capacity and who is
30 not employed by any public school of any district in this
31 state.
5
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 (2) A commissioned or noncommissioned military officer
2 who is an instructor of junior reserve officer training shall
3 be exempt from requirements for teacher certification, except
4 for the filing of fingerprints pursuant to s. 231.02 231.1712,
5 if he or she meets the following qualifications:
6 (a) Is retired from active military duty with at least
7 20 years of service and draws retirement pay or is retired, or
8 transferred to retired reserve status, with at least 20 years
9 of active service and draws retirement pay or retainer pay.
10 (b) Satisfies criteria established by the appropriate
11 military service for certification by the service as a junior
12 reserve officer training instructor.
13 (c) Has an exemplary military record.
14
15 If such instructor is assigned instructional duties other than
16 junior reserve officer training, he or she shall hold the
17 certificate required by law and rules of the state board for
18 the type of service rendered.
19 Section 4. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
20 231.17, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (14) is
21 added to said section, to read:
22 231.17 Official statements of eligibility and
23 certificates granted on application to those meeting
24 prescribed requirements.--
25 (3) TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE.--
26 (c) To qualify for a temporary certificate, the
27 applicant must:
28 1. File a written statement under oath that the
29 applicant subscribes to and will uphold the principles
30 incorporated in the Constitutions of the United States and of
31 the State of Florida.
6
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 2. Be at least 18 years of age.
2 3. Document receipt of a bachelor's or higher degree
3 from an accredited institution of higher learning, as defined
4 by state board rule. Credits and degrees awarded by a newly
5 created Florida state institution that is part of the State
6 University System shall be considered as granted by an
7 accredited institution of higher learning during the first 2
8 years of course offerings while accreditation is gained.
9 Degrees from foreign institutions, or degrees from other
10 institutions of higher learning that are in the accreditation
11 process, may be validated by a process established in state
12 board rule. Once accreditation is gained, the institution
13 shall be considered as accredited beginning with the 2-year
14 period prior to the date of accreditation. The bachelor's or
15 higher degree may not be required in areas approved in rule by
16 the State Board of Education as nondegreed areas. Each
17 applicant seeking initial certification must have attained at
18 least a 2.5 overall grade point average on a 4.0 scale in the
19 applicant's major field of study. The applicant may document
20 the required education by submitting official transcripts from
21 institutions of higher education or by authorizing the direct
22 submission of such official transcripts through established
23 electronic network systems.
24 4. Meet such academic and professional requirements
25 based on credentials certified by standard institutions of
26 higher learning, including any institutions of higher learning
27 in this state accredited by an accrediting association that is
28 a member of the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary
29 Accreditation, as prescribed by the state board.
30 4.5. Be competent and capable of performing the
31 duties, functions, and responsibilities of a teacher.
7
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 5.6. Be of good moral character.
2
3 Rules adopted pursuant to this section shall provide for the
4 review and acceptance of credentials from foreign institutions
5 of higher learning.
6 (14) AUTHORITY OF COMMISSIONER.--The Commissioner of
7 Education is authorized to make decisions regarding an
8 applicant's certification under extenuating circumstances not
9 otherwise provided for in statute or rule.
10 Section 5. Section 231.1725, Florida Statutes, is
11 amended to read:
12 231.1725 Employment of substitute teachers, teachers
13 of adult education, and nondegreed teachers of career
14 education; students performing clinical field experience, and
15 noncertificated teachers in critical teacher shortage areas.--
16 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 231.02,
17 231.15, and 231.17, and 231.172 or any other provision of law
18 or rule to the contrary, each school board shall establish the
19 minimal qualifications for:
20 (a) Substitute teachers to be employed pursuant to s.
21 231.47. The qualifications shall require the filing of a
22 complete set of fingerprints in the same manner as required by
23 s. 231.02.
24 (b) Part-time and full-time teachers in adult
25 education programs. The qualifications shall require the
26 filing of a complete set of fingerprints in the same manner as
27 required by s. 231.02. Faculty employed solely to conduct
28 postsecondary instruction may be exempted from this
29 requirement.
30 (c) Part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of
31 vocational programs. Qualifications shall be established for
8
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 agriculture, business, health occupations, family and consumer
2 sciences, industrial, marketing, and public service education
3 teachers, based primarily on successful occupational
4 experience rather than academic training. The qualifications
5 for such teachers shall require:
6 1. The filing of a complete set of fingerprints in the
7 same manner as required by s. 231.02. Faculty employed solely
8 to conduct postsecondary instruction may be exempted from this
9 requirement.
10 2. Documentation of education and successful
11 occupational experience including documentation of:
12 a. A high school diploma or the equivalent.
13 b. Completion of 6 years of full-time successful
14 occupational experience or the equivalent of part-time
15 experience in the teaching specialization area. Alternate
16 means of determining successful occupational experience may be
17 established by the school board.
18 c. Completion of career education training conducted
19 through the local school district inservice master plan.
20 d. For full-time teachers, completion of professional
21 education training in teaching methods, course construction,
22 lesson planning and evaluation, and teaching special needs
23 students. This training may be completed through coursework
24 from a standard institution or an approved district teacher
25 education program.
26 e. Demonstration of successful teaching performance.
27 (d) Part-time and full-time noncertificated teachers
28 in critical teacher shortage areas. The qualifications shall
29 require the filing of fingerprints in the same manner as
30 required by s. 231.02 and shall be based on academic training
31 in the essential generic and specialization competencies of
9
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 the instructional assignment. The school board shall be
2 responsible for determining critical teacher shortage areas
3 within the school district. Each school board shall annually
4 report the number, qualifications, and areas of assignment of
5 all noncertificated teachers employed pursuant to this
6 paragraph during each school year.
7 (2) Substitute, adult education, and nondegreed career
8 education teachers and noncertificated teachers in critical
9 teacher shortage areas who are employed pursuant to this
10 section shall have the same rights and protection of laws as
11 certified teachers.
12 (3) A student who is enrolled in a state-approved
13 teacher preparation program in an institution of higher
14 education approved by rules of the State Board of Education
15 and who is jointly assigned by such institution of higher
16 education and a school board to perform a clinical field
17 experience under the direction of a regularly employed and
18 certified educator shall be accorded the same protection of
19 laws as that accorded the certified educator while serving
20 such supervised clinical field experience, except for the
21 right to bargain collectively with employees of the school
22 board.
23 Section 6. Paragraph (d) is added to subsection (3) of
24 section 231.24, Florida Statutes, to read:
25 231.24 Process for renewal of professional
26 certificates.--
27 (3) For the renewal of a professional certificate, the
28 following requirements must be met:
29 (d) For an educator who is required to complete
30 training in teaching students with limited English
31
10
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 proficiency, state board of education rules for the expanded
2 use of such training shall apply as follows:
3 1. A teacher who holds a professional certificate may
4 use college credits or inservice points completed in English
5 for Speakers of Other Languages training in excess of 6
6 semester hours during one certificate validity period toward
7 renewal of the professional certificate during the next
8 validity period.
9 2. A teacher who holds a temporary certificate may use
10 college credits or inservice points completed in English for
11 Speakers of Other Languages training toward renewal of the
12 first professional certificate. Such training shall not have
13 been included within the degree program. The temporary and
14 professional certificates shall be issued for consecutive
15 school years.
16 Section 7. Paragraph (d) of subsection (7) of section
17 231.261, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
18 231.261 Education Practices Commission;
19 organization.--
20 (7) The duties and responsibilities of the commission
21 are to:
22 (d) Have rulemaking authority pursuant to chapter 120
23 to establish procedures for operations and administration,
24 disciplinary proceedings, indexing, implementation of orders,
25 and retention of records, and to establish disciplinary
26 guidelines.
27 Section 8. Subsections (9) and (12) of section
28 231.263, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
29 231.263 Recovery network program for educators.--
30 (9) An approved treatment provider must disclose to
31 the recovery network program all information in its possession
11
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 which relates to a person's impairment and participation in
2 the treatment program. Information obtained under this
3 subsection is confidential and exempt from s. 119.07(1) and s.
4 24(a), Art. I of the State Constitution. This exemption is
5 necessary to promote the rehabilitation of impaired educators
6 teachers and to protect the privacy of treatment program
7 participants. The failure to provide such information to the
8 program is grounds for withdrawal of approval of a treatment
9 provider. Medical records provided to the program may not be
10 disclosed to any other person, except as authorized by law.
11 (12) The State Board of Education shall include in the
12 fees established pursuant to s. 231.30 s. 231.15(3) an amount
13 sufficient to implement the provisions of this section. The
14 state board shall by rule establish procedures and additional
15 standards for:
16 (a) Approving treatment providers, including
17 appropriate qualifications and experience, amount of
18 reasonable fees and charges, and quality and effectiveness of
19 treatment programs provided.
20 (b) Admitting eligible persons to the program.
21 (c) Evaluating impaired persons by the recovery
22 network program.
23 Section 9. Subsection (8) is added to section 231.29,
24 Florida Statutes, to read:
25 231.29 Assessment procedures and criteria.--
26 (8) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
27 pursuant to chapter 120 to review and approve each district's
28 instructional personnel assessment system.
29 Section 10. Section 231.47, Florida Statutes, is
30 amended to read:
31
12
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 231.47 Substitute teachers.--Each school board shall
2 adopt rules prescribing the compensation of, and the procedure
3 for employment of, substitute teachers. Such procedure for
4 employment shall include, but not be limited to, the filing of
5 a complete set of fingerprints as required in s. 231.02
6 231.1712.
7 Section 11. Subsection (1) of section 231.546, Florida
8 Statutes, is amended to read:
9 231.546 Education Standards Commission; powers and
10 duties.--
11 (1) The Education Standards Commission shall have the
12 duty to:
13 (a) Recommend to the state board desirable standards
14 relating to programs and policies for the development,
15 certification and certification extension, improvement, and
16 maintenance of competencies of educational personnel,
17 including teacher interns.
18 (b) Recommend to the state board standards for
19 approval of preservice teacher education programs.
20 (c) Plan and conduct an annual review of human
21 resources studies regarding teaching personnel and report the
22 findings to the state board.
23 (d) Recommend to the state board objective,
24 independently verifiable standards of measurement and
25 evaluation of teaching competence.
26 (e) Recommend to the state board alternative ways to
27 demonstrate qualifications for certification which assure
28 fairness and flexibility while protecting against
29 incompetence.
30
31
13
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 (f) Recommend to the state board the most feasible
2 locations for teacher education centers from proposals
3 submitted by school districts and universities.
4 (g) Recommend to the state board guidelines for the
5 expenditure of funds for teacher education centers and
6 approval of teacher education center programs.
7 (f)(h) Recommend critical state priorities for
8 preservice and inservice teacher training such as
9 understanding diverse student populations, working in a
10 changing workplace, and understanding subject matter and
11 instruction. The commission shall recommend standards for
12 measuring evidence of training in these priorities for
13 continuing program approval for preservice teacher education,
14 initial teacher certification and certificate renewal, and
15 staff development activities.
16 (g)(i) Evaluate the progress of school community
17 professional development systems as provided in s. 231.600.
18 (h)(j) Perform such other duties as may be required to
19 achieve the purposes of this section and s. 231.545.
20 Section 12. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) and
21 subsection (6) of section 231.600, Florida Statutes, are
22 amended to read:
23 231.600 School Community Professional Development
24 Act.--
25 (4) The Department of Education, school districts,
26 schools, and public colleges and universities share the
27 responsibilities described in this section. These
28 responsibilities include the following:
29 (b) Each district school board shall consult with
30 teachers and representatives of college and university
31 faculty, community agencies, and other interested citizen
14
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 groups to establish policy and procedures to guide the
2 operation of the district professional development program.
3 The professional development system must:
4 1. Require that schools identify student needs that
5 can be met by improved professional performance, and assist
6 schools in making these identifications;
7 2. Provide training activities coupled with followup
8 support that is and other professional development appropriate
9 to accomplish district-level and school-level improvement
10 goals and standards; and
11 3. Provide for systematic consultation with regional
12 and state personnel designated to provide technical assistance
13 and evaluation of local professional development programs.
14 (6) The Department of Education shall design methods
15 by which the state and district school boards may evaluate and
16 improve the professional development system. The evaluation
17 must include an annual assessment of data that indicate
18 progress or lack of progress of all students whose needs were
19 identified as most critical to improved professional
20 development, including needs of students with disabilities,
21 students having limited proficiency in English, and
22 low-achieving student populations. If the review of data
23 indicates an achievement level that is unusual, the department
24 may investigate the causes of the success or lack of success,
25 may provide technical assistance, and may require the school
26 district to employ a different approach to professional
27 development. The department shall report annually to the
28 State Board of Education and the Legislature any school
29 district that, in the determination of the department, has
30 failed to provide an adequate professional development system.
31
15
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 This report must include the results of the department's
2 investigation and of any intervention provided.
3 Section 13. Section 231.6002, Florida Statutes, is
4 created to read:
5 231.6002 Teacher professional development; plans;
6 stipends.--
7 (1) The Legislature finds that there is a need for
8 more time for teachers in the public schools in this state to
9 support continuing professional growth that is directly
10 connected to student learning. School improvement that is
11 dedicated to growth in student achievement requires ongoing
12 training with essential followup support for teachers. It is
13 the intent of the Legislature to establish regularly scheduled
14 professional development for teachers outside of the
15 instructional day that is focused on the improvement of
16 student learning, and to provide funds for stipends for
17 teachers who participate in these extended professional
18 development offerings.
19 (2) The Department of Education shall create a program
20 to distribute funds for teacher stipend dollars to school
21 districts that provide matching professional growth time and
22 that, at a minimum, meet the following criteria:
23 (a) Submit a professional development plan to the
24 Department of Education that meets the guidelines to be
25 established by the department, including, but not limited to:
26 1. A description of the specific activities that will
27 be provided during regularly scheduled stipended and matching
28 professional development time.
29 2. A demonstrated focus on instruction and improved
30 student learning for each professional development activity
31
16
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 delivered during stipended and matching professional
2 development time.
3 3. Procedures to evaluate the effectiveness of the
4 professional development activities on increased student
5 achievement.
6 4. Plans for providing on-site followup support to the
7 professional development activities.
8 (b) Pay a stipend of up to $50 for each day, or for
9 designated professional development time in increments
10 equivalent to a day, per teacher, not to exceed the equivalent
11 of two stipend days annually.
12 (c) Establish matching professional development time
13 equal to the designated paid professional development time
14 that is outside the required 180 student instructional days
15 and that is focused on instructional practices and increased
16 student learning.
17 (d) Require each teacher who is paid a stipend to have
18 fully participated in the designated professional development
19 activities.
20 (3) Funding for the professional development stipend
21 dollars pursuant to this section shall be provided annually in
22 the General Appropriations Act.
23 (4) This section shall be implemented only to the
24 extent specifically funded and authorized by law.
25 (5) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules
26 pursuant to chapter 120 to review and approve teacher
27 professional development programs.
28 Section 14. Subsection (4) of section 231.601, Florida
29 Statutes, is amended to read:
30 231.601 Purposes, intent.--
31
17
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 (4) The responsibility for operating programs for
2 preservice and inservice teacher education is assigned jointly
3 to the colleges and universities, to the district school
4 boards, and to practicing educators. Effective collaboration
5 among school districts, postsecondary institutions, and
6 practicing educators is essential to improving teaching in
7 Florida's elementary and secondary schools. Among the
8 purposes of the teacher education centers shall be:
9 (a) To facilitate school district inservice teacher
10 education programs for instructional personnel.
11 (b) To respond to state, national, and district policy
12 and program priorities.
13 (c) To provide opportunities for district school
14 educators to interact with faculty and staff of the colleges
15 and universities in order to enhance the preservice and
16 continuing education of instructional personnel.
17 Section 15. Section 231.625, Florida Statutes, is
18 amended to read:
19 231.625 Teacher shortage recruitment and retention
20 referral.--
21 (1) The Department of Education, through the Center
22 for Career Development Services, in cooperation with teacher
23 organizations, and district personnel offices, and colleges of
24 education directors, shall expand its career information
25 system to concentrate on the recruitment of qualified teachers
26 in teacher shortage areas.
27 (2) The Department of Education, through the Center
28 for Career Development Services, shall establish a teacher
29 referral and recruitment and retention services office center
30 which shall:
31
18
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 (a) Advertise teacher positions in targeted states
2 with declining student enrollments.
3 (b) Advertise in major newspapers, national
4 professional publications, and other professional publications
5 and in graduate schools of education.
6 (c) Utilize state and a nationwide toll-free numbers
7 number and a central post office box.
8 (d) Develop standardized resumes for teacher applicant
9 data.
10 (e) Conduct periodic communications with district
11 superintendents and personnel directors regarding new
12 applicants.
13 (f) Provide district access to the applicant database
14 by computer or telephone.
15 (g) Develop and distribute promotional materials
16 related to teaching as a career.
17 (h) Publish and distribute information pertaining to
18 employment opportunities, application procedures, teacher
19 certification, and teacher salaries and benefits for beginning
20 and continuing teachers.
21 (i) Provide Publish information related to alternative
22 certification procedures.
23 (j) Develop and sponsor the Florida Future Educator of
24 America Program clubs throughout the state.
25 (k) Review and recommend to the Legislature and school
26 districts incentives for attracting teachers to this state.
27 (3) The Office of Teacher Recruitment and Retention
28 Services teacher referral and recruitment center, in
29 cooperation with teacher organizations and district personnel
30 offices directors, shall sponsor a an annual job fair in a
31 central part of the state to match in-state educators and
19
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 out-of-state educators with teaching opportunities in this
2 state.
3 Section 16. Section 231.6255, Florida Statutes, is
4 amended to read:
5 231.6255 Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for Education
6 Program.--
7 (1) The Legislature recognizes that Florida continues
8 to face teacher shortages faces a severe shortage of teachers
9 and that fewer young people consider teaching as a career. It
10 is the intent of the Legislature to promote the positive and
11 rewarding aspects of being a teacher, to encourage more
12 individuals to become teachers, and to provide annual
13 sabbatical support for outstanding Florida teachers to serve
14 as goodwill ambassadors for education. The Legislature
15 further wishes to honor the memory of Christa McAuliffe, who
16 epitomized the challenge and inspiration that teaching can be.
17 (2) There is established the Christa McAuliffe
18 Ambassador for Education Program to provide salary, travel,
19 and other related expenses annually for an outstanding Florida
20 teacher to promote the positive aspects of teaching as a
21 career. The goals of the program are to:
22 (a) Enhance the stature of teachers and the teaching
23 profession.
24 (b) Promote the importance of quality education and
25 teaching for our future.
26 (c) Inspire and attract talented young people to
27 become teachers.
28 (d) Provide information regarding Florida's
29 scholarship and loan programs related to teaching.
30 (e) Promote the teaching profession within community
31 and business groups.
20
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 (f) Provide information regarding Florida's
2 alternative certification program to retired military
3 personnel and other individuals who might consider teaching as
4 a second career.
5 (g) Work with and represent the Office of Teacher
6 Recruitment and Retention Services teacher referral and
7 recruitment center, as needed.
8 (h) Work with and encourage the efforts of school and
9 district teachers of the year.
10 (i) Support the activities of the Florida Future
11 Educator Teacher of America Program clubs.
12 (j) Represent Florida teachers at business, trade,
13 education, and other conferences and meetings.
14 (k) Promote the teaching profession in other ways
15 related to the teaching responsibilities, background
16 experiences, and aspirations of the Ambassador for Education.
17 (3) The Teacher of the Year shall serve as the
18 Ambassador for Education, except that for the first 2 years,
19 Florida's NASA Teachers in Space shall also serve as
20 Ambassadors for Education. If the Teacher of the Year is
21 unable to serve as the Ambassador for Education, the first
22 runner-up shall serve in his or her place. The Department of
23 Education Each district school board shall establish
24 application and selection procedures for determining an annual
25 teacher of the year. Applications and selection criteria shall
26 be developed and distributed annually by the Department of
27 Education to all school districts. The Commissioner of
28 Education shall establish a selection committee which assures
29 representation from teacher organizations, administrators, and
30 parents to select the Teacher of the Year and Ambassador for
31 Education from among the district teachers of the year.
21
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 Selection criteria shall be developed and distributed annually
2 to all school districts.
3 (4)(a) The Department of Education and the Office of
4 Teacher Recruitment and Retention Services, through the Center
5 for Career Development Services and in conjunction with the
6 teacher referral and recruitment center, shall administer the
7 program.
8 (b) The Commissioner of Education shall pay an annual
9 salary, fringe benefits, travel costs, and other costs
10 associated with administering the program.
11 (c) The Ambassador for Education shall serve for 1
12 year, from July 1 to June 30, and shall be assured of
13 returning to his or her teaching position upon completion of
14 the program. The ambassador will not have a break in
15 creditable or continuous service or employment for the period
16 of time in which he or she participates in the program.
17 Section 17. Section 231.63, Florida Statutes, is
18 created to read:
19 231.63 Florida Educator Hall of Fame.--
20 (1) It is the intent of the Legislature to recognize
21 and honor those persons, living or dead, who have made
22 significant contributions to education in this state.
23 (2)(a) There is hereby established the Florida
24 Educator Hall of Fame. The Florida Educator Hall of Fame shall
25 be located in an area on the Plaza Level of the Capitol
26 Building.
27 (b) The Florida Education Foundation shall make a
28 recommendation for the design and theme for the Florida
29 Educator Hall of Fame. The Commissioner of Education, in
30 consultation with the Secretary of Management Services, shall
31 approve the foundation's recommendation.
22
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 (c) Each person who is selected as a member shall have
2 a plaque placed in the Florida Educator Hall of Fame. The
3 plaque shall designate the member's particular discipline or
4 contribution and shall set forth vital information relating to
5 the member. Each member shall also receive a standardized
6 memento of the member's selection.
7 (3) The Florida Education Foundation shall accept
8 nominations annually for persons to be recommended as members
9 of the Florida Educator Hall of Fame. Floridians who have made
10 a significant contribution to education in this state, as
11 determined and documented by the Florida Education Foundation,
12 shall be eligible for membership. The foundation shall
13 recommend to the Commissioner of Education persons to be named
14 as members of the Florida Educator Hall of Fame.
15 (4) In the first year, the Commissioner of Education
16 shall name no more than 10 members to the Florida Educator
17 Hall of Fame. Thereafter, the commissioner shall name no more
18 than four members to the Florida Educator Hall of Fame in any
19 1 year.
20 (5) The Commissioner of Education and the Florida
21 Education Foundation shall develop and adopt written policies
22 to carry out the purposes of this section, including
23 procedures to accept nominations, make recommendations for
24 selection of members, provide recipient's travel expenses, and
25 provide funding for the Florida Educator Hall of Fame.
26 (6) The Commissioner of Education may annually request
27 an appropriation from the Legislature sufficient to carry out
28 the purposes of this section. The Florida Education Foundation
29 may also provide funds to cover any or all expenses related to
30 the Florida Educator Hall of Fame.
31
23
CODING: Words stricken are deletions; words underlined are additions.
Florida Senate - 1998 SB 2258
11-1398C-98
1 Section 18. Section 231.613, Florida Statutes, is
2 repealed.
3 Section 19. This act shall take effect upon becoming a
4 law.
5
6 *****************************************
7 LEGISLATIVE SUMMARY
8
Deletes certain provisions relating to background check
9 of district school system personnel. Revises provisions
relating to teaching out-of-field. Provides State Board
10 of Education duties relating to teacher certification.
Revises provisions relating to qualification for a
11 temporary certificate. Provides certain decisionmaking
authority of the Commissioner of Education. Deletes
12 provisions relating to employment of noncertificated
teachers in critical teacher shortage areas. Provides for
13 protection of laws for students performing clinical field
experience. Provides certificate renewal requirements
14 relating to teaching students with limited English
proficiency. Provides rulemaking authority of the
15 Education Practices Commission. Clarifies provisions
relating to the recovery network program for educators.
16 Requires State Board of Education rules relating to
personnel assessment. Deletes duties relating to teacher
17 education centers. Revises requirements of the school
district professional development system. Requires school
18 districts to develop professional development plans and
provides for stipends and funding. Deletes provisions
19 relating to teacher education center purposes. Deletes
provisions relating to a teacher referral and recruitment
20 center. Requires establishment of a teacher recruitment
and retention services office. Revises provisions
21 relating to the Christa McAuliffe Ambassador for
Education Program. Creates the Florida Educator Hall of
22 Fame and provides for nominations, recommendations, and
selection of members. Repeals provisions relating to
23 inservice training institutes.
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
31
24