Florida Senate - 2026 SB 510
By Senator Jones
34-00161-26 2026510__
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to educator certifications and
3 training; amending s. 1004.04, F.S.; revising the core
4 curricula for certain teacher preparation programs to
5 include training relating to mass casualty incidents;
6 amending s. 1004.85, F.S.; requiring certain
7 postsecondary educator preparation institutes’
8 programs to include training relating to mass casualty
9 incidents; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.
10 1012.56, F.S.; revising the certified educator
11 eligibility criteria to require training in mass
12 casualty incidents; creating s. 1012.5841, F.S.;
13 requiring the Department of Education to develop a
14 list of approved trainings relating to mass casualty
15 incidents; beginning in a specified school year,
16 requiring the department to include such trainings in
17 existing continuing education and inservice training
18 requirements for instructional personnel; providing
19 applicability; authorizing the State Board of
20 Education to adopt rules; amending ss. 1012.55 and
21 1012.57, F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing
22 an effective date.
23
24 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
25
26 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
27 1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
28 1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
29 teacher preparation programs.—
30 (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
31 (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
32 state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
33 not limited to, the following:
34 1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida
35 Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
36 2. The use of state-adopted content standards to guide
37 curricula and instruction.
38 3. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
39 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading
40 which improve reading performance for all students, including
41 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching
42 phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text
43 comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The
44 primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is
45 phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional
46 strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three
47 cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for
48 teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include
49 visual information and strategies that improve background and
50 experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language
51 and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to
52 teach word reading.
53 4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
54 5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
55 language learners.
56 6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
57 with disabilities.
58 7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student
59 needs.
60 8. Strategies and practices to support evidence-based
61 content aligned to state standards and grading practices.
62 9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of a
63 student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge and
64 the referral of such student to a mental health professional for
65 support.
66 10. Strategies to support the use of technology in
67 education and distance learning.
68 11. Strategies and practices to support effective,
69 research-based assessment and grading practices aligned to the
70 state’s academic standards.
71 12. Strategies and practices for identifying, preventing,
72 preparing for, addressing, and responding to mass casualty
73 incidents.
74 Section 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) of
75 section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
76 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
77 (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
78 this section may offer competency-based certification programs
79 specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate
80 degree holders to enable program participants to meet the
81 educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator
82 preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based
83 certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
84 must implement a program developed by the institute and approved
85 by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be
86 available for use by other approved educator preparation
87 institutes.
88 (a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval,
89 the Department of Education shall approve a preparation program
90 pursuant to the requirements of this subsection or issue a
91 statement of the deficiencies in the request for approval. The
92 department shall approve a certification program if the
93 institute provides evidence of the institute’s capacity to
94 implement a competency-based program that instructs and assesses
95 each candidate in the following:
96 1.a. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices approved
97 by the state board.
98 b. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41,
99 including scientifically based reading instruction, content
100 literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject
101 identified on the statement of status of eligibility or the
102 temporary certificate.
103 c. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
104 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading
105 which improve reading performance for all students, including
106 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching
107 phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text
108 comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The
109 primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is
110 phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional
111 strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three
112 cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for
113 teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include
114 visual information and strategies which improve background and
115 experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language
116 and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to
117 teach word reading.
118 d. Strategies and practices for identifying, preventing,
119 preparing for, addressing, and responding to mass casualty
120 incidents.
121 2. An educational plan for each participant to meet
122 certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to
123 teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking
124 certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her
125 competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1.
126 3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification
127 subject area specified in the educational plan under the
128 supervision of qualified educators. The state board shall
129 determine in rule the amount of field experience necessary to
130 serve as the teacher of record, beginning with candidates
131 entering a program in the 2023-2024 school year.
132 4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and
133 procedures required for participants who complete the program to
134 meet any requirements related to the background screening
135 pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary
136 certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
137 (b) Each program participant must:
138 1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.
139 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in
140 the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet
141 the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f)
142 before participating in field experiences.
143 2. Demonstrate competency and participate in field
144 experiences that are appropriate to his or her educational plan
145 prepared under paragraph (a). Beginning with candidates entering
146 an educator preparation institute in the 2022-2023 school year,
147 a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified
148 pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all
149 competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of
150 the endorsement practicum through the candidate’s field
151 experience, in order to graduate from the program.
152 3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his
153 or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is
154 seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on
155 student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12
156 setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving
157 a passing score on the professional education competency
158 examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area
159 examination for the subject area certification which is required
160 by state board rule.
161 Section 3. Present paragraphs (g), (h), and (i) of
162 subsection (2) of section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are
163 redesignated as paragraphs (h), (i), and (j), respectively, a
164 new paragraph (g) is added to that subsection, and paragraphs
165 (a), (b), and (d) of subsection (7) of that section are amended,
166 to read:
167 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
168 (2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to seek
169 certification, a person must:
170 (g) Have received training that includes strategies and
171 practices for identifying, preventing, preparing for,
172 addressing, and responding to mass casualty incidents.
173 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
174 (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
175 certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
176 who fulfills one of the following:
177 1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in
178 subsection (2).
179 2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through
180 12:
181 a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
182 (i) (2)(a)-(h).
183 b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
184 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
185 c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
186 advanced degree.
187 d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s
188 performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on
189 student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
190 assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
191 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
192 examination.
193 e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
194 education competency examination required by state board rule.
195 3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
196 (i) (2)(a)-(h) and completes a professional learning
197 certification program approved by the department pursuant to
198 paragraph (8)(c) or an educator preparation institute approved
199 by the department pursuant to s. 1004.85. An applicant who
200 completes one of these programs and is rated highly effective as
201 determined by his or her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34
202 is not required to take or achieve a passing score on the
203 professional education competency examination in order to be
204 awarded a professional certificate.
205 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to
206 any applicant who:
207 1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs
208 (2)(a)-(g) (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content
209 requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates
210 mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and
211 holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the
212 Department of Education at the level required for the subject
213 area specialization in state board rule;
214 2. For a subject area specialization for which the state
215 board otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree, documents 48
216 months of active-duty military service with an honorable
217 discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements
218 outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(g) (d)-(f);
219 completes the subject area content requirements specified in
220 state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject area
221 knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents completion
222 of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point
223 average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more
224 accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited
225 institution of higher learning identified by the Department of
226 Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s
227 degree or higher; or
228 3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation
229 program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required
230 program field experience or internship at a public school;
231 completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b),
232 and (d)-(g) (d)-(f); completes the subject area content
233 requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates
234 mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5);
235 and documents completion of 60 college credits with a minimum
236 cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as
237 provided by one or more accredited institutions of higher
238 learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning
239 identified by the Department of Education as having a quality
240 program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher.
241 (d) The department shall issue a temporary apprenticeship
242 certificate to any applicant who meets the requirements of
243 paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(g) (d)-(f).
244
245 At least 1 year before an individual’s temporary certificate is
246 set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the
247 individual of the date on which his or her certificate will
248 expire and provide a list of each method by which the
249 qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed.
250 Section 4. Section 1012.5841, Florida Statutes, is created
251 to read:
252 1012.5841 Continuing education and inservice training for
253 identifying, preventing, preparing for, addressing, and
254 responding to mass casualty incidents.—
255 (1) The Department of Education shall develop a list of
256 approved trainings to prepare instructional personnel to
257 identify, prevent, prepare for, address, and respond to mass
258 casualty incidents.
259 (2) Beginning with the 2026-2027 school year, the
260 department shall incorporate the training included in the list
261 required under subsection (1) into existing requirements for the
262 continuing education or inservice training of instructional
263 personnel. The requirements of this section may not add to the
264 total hours required for continuing education or inservice
265 training as currently established by the department.
266 (3) A person has no cause of action for any loss or damage
267 caused by an act or omission resulting from the implementation
268 of this section or resulting from any training required by this
269 section unless the loss or damage was caused by willful or
270 wanton misconduct. This section does not create any new duty of
271 care or basis of liability.
272 (4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
273 implement this section.
274 Section 5. Subsections (5) and (6) of section 1012.55,
275 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
276 1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.—
277 (5) A person who is employed as a school social worker is
278 exempt from the educator certification requirements in s.
279 1012.56(2)(h) and (i) s. 1012.56(2)(g) and (h) relating to the
280 mastery of general and subject area knowledge.
281 (6) Notwithstanding this section and ss. 1012.32 and
282 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to the contrary,
283 the State Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow for the
284 issuance of a classical education teaching certificate, upon the
285 request of a classical school, to any applicant who fulfills the
286 requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and
287 (11) and any other criteria established by the department. Such
288 certificate is only valid at a classical school. For the
289 purposes of this subsection, the term “classical school” means a
290 school that implements and provides professional learning in a
291 classical education school model that emphasizes the development
292 of students in the principles of moral character and civic
293 virtue through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and
294 sciences that is based on the classical trivium stages of
295 grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
296 Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 1012.57, Florida
297 Statutes, is amended to read:
298 1012.57 Certification of adjunct educators.—
299 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 1012.32, 1012.55,
300 and 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to the
301 contrary, district school boards and charter school governing
302 boards shall adopt rules to allow for the issuance of an adjunct
303 teaching certificate to any applicant who fulfills the
304 requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and
305 (11) and who has expertise in the subject area to be taught. An
306 applicant is considered to have expertise in the subject area to
307 be taught if the applicant demonstrates sufficient subject area
308 mastery through passage of a subject area test or has achieved
309 an industry certification in the subject area to be taught.
310 Section 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2026.