Bill Text: FL S0992 | 2024 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Educator Certifications and Training
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-08 - Died in Education Pre-K -12 [S0992 Detail]
Download: Florida-2024-S0992-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2024 SB 992
By Senator Jones
34-01543-24 2024992__
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 institution
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 such persons to
12 receive training in mass casualty incidents;
13 conforming cross-references; amending s. 1012.57,
14 F.S.; requiring persons who hold adjunct teaching
15 certificates to receive training in mass casualty
16 incidents; creating s. 1012.5841, F.S.; requiring the
17 Department of Education to develop a list of approved
18 trainings relating to mass casualty incidents;
19 beginning in a specified school year, requiring the
20 department to include such trainings in existing
21 continuing education and inservice training
22 requirements for instructional personnel; providing
23 applicability; authorizing the State Board of
24 Education to adopt rules; providing an effective date.
25
26 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
27
28 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
29 1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
30 1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
31 teacher preparation programs.—
32 (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
33 (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
34 state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
35 not limited to, the following:
36 1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida
37 Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
38 2. The use of state-adopted content standards to guide
39 curricula and instruction.
40 3. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
41 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading
42 which improve reading performance for all students, including
43 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching
44 phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text
45 comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The
46 primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is
47 phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional
48 strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three
49 cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for
50 teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include
51 visual information and strategies that improve background and
52 experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language
53 and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to
54 teach word reading.
55 4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
56 5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
57 language learners.
58 6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
59 with disabilities.
60 7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student
61 needs.
62 8. Strategies and practices to support evidence-based
63 content aligned to state standards and grading practices.
64 9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of a
65 student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge and
66 the referral of such student to a mental health professional for
67 support.
68 10. Strategies to support the use of technology in
69 education and distance learning.
70 11. Strategies and practices to support effective,
71 research-based assessment and grading practices aligned to the
72 state’s academic standards.
73 12. Strategies and practices on identifying, preventing,
74 preparing, addressing, and responding to mass casualty
75 incidents.
76 Section 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) of
77 section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
78 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
79 (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
80 this section may offer competency-based certification programs
81 specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate
82 degree holders to enable program participants to meet the
83 educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator
84 preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based
85 certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
86 must implement a program developed by the institute and approved
87 by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be
88 available for use by other approved educator preparation
89 institutes.
90 (a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval,
91 the Department of Education shall approve a preparation program
92 pursuant to the requirements of this subsection or issue a
93 statement of the deficiencies in the request for approval. The
94 department shall approve a certification program if the
95 institute provides evidence of the institute’s capacity to
96 implement a competency-based program that instructs and assesses
97 each candidate in the following:
98 1.a. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices approved
99 by the state board.
100 b. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41,
101 including scientifically based reading instruction, content
102 literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject
103 identified on the statement of status of eligibility or the
104 temporary certificate.
105 c. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
106 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading
107 which improve reading performance for all students, including
108 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching
109 phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text
110 comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The
111 primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is
112 phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional
113 strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three
114 cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for
115 teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include
116 visual information and strategies which improve background and
117 experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language
118 and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to
119 teach word reading.
120 d. Strategies and practices on identifying, preventing,
121 preparing, addressing, and responding to mass casualty
122 incidents.
123 2. An educational plan for each participant to meet
124 certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to
125 teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking
126 certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her
127 competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1.
128 3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification
129 subject area specified in the educational plan under the
130 supervision of qualified educators. The state board shall
131 determine in rule the amount of field experience necessary to
132 serve as the teacher of record, beginning with candidates
133 entering a program in the 2023-2024 school year.
134 4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and
135 procedures required for participants who complete the program to
136 meet any requirements related to the background screening
137 pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary
138 certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
139 (b) Each program participant must:
140 1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.
141 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in
142 the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet
143 the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f).
144 2. Demonstrate competency and participate in field
145 experiences that are appropriate to his or her educational plan
146 prepared under paragraph (a). Beginning with candidates entering
147 an educator preparation institute in the 2022-2023 school year,
148 a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified
149 pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all
150 competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of
151 the endorsement practicum through the candidate’s field
152 experience, in order to graduate from the program.
153 3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his
154 or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is
155 seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on
156 student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12
157 setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving
158 a passing score on the professional education competency
159 examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area
160 examination for the subject area certification which is required
161 by state board rule.
162 Section 3. Present paragraphs (g) through (i) of subsection
163 (2) of section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
164 paragraphs (h) through (j), respectively, a new paragraph (g) is
165 added to that subsection, and paragraphs (a), (b), and (d) of
166 subsection (7) of that section are amended, 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 on identifying, preventing, preparing, addressing, and
172 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)(b) 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:
243 1. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and
244 (d)-(g) (d)-(f).
245 2. Completes the subject area content requirements
246 specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
247 area knowledge as provided in subsection (5).
248
249 At least 1 year before an individual’s temporary certificate is
250 set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the
251 individual of the date on which his or her certificate will
252 expire and provide a list of each method by which the
253 qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed.
254 Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 1012.57, Florida
255 Statutes, is amended to read:
256 1012.57 Certification of adjunct educators.—
257 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 1012.32, 1012.55,
258 and 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to the
259 contrary, district school boards and charter school governing
260 boards shall adopt rules to allow for the issuance of an adjunct
261 teaching certificate to any applicant who fulfills the
262 requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and
263 (11) and who has expertise in the subject area to be taught. An
264 applicant is considered to have expertise in the subject area to
265 be taught if the applicant demonstrates sufficient subject area
266 mastery through passage of a subject area test or has achieved
267 an industry certification in the subject area to be taught.
268 Section 5. Section 1012.5841, Florida Statutes, is created
269 to read:
270 1012.5841 Continuing education and inservice training for
271 identifying, preventing, preparing, addressing, and responding
272 to mass casualty incidents.—
273 (1) The Department of Education shall develop a list of
274 approved trainings to prepare instructional personnel to
275 identify, prevent, prepare for, address, and respond to mass
276 casualty incidents.
277 (2) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the
278 department shall incorporate the training included in the list
279 required under subsection (1) into existing requirements for the
280 continuing education or inservice training of instructional
281 personnel. The requirements of this section may not add to the
282 total hours required for continuing education or inservice
283 training as currently established by the department.
284 (3) A person has no cause of action for any loss or damage
285 caused by an act or omission resulting from the implementation
286 of this section or resulting from any training required by this
287 section unless the loss or damage was caused by willful or
288 wanton misconduct. This section does not create any new duty of
289 care or basis of liability.
290 (4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
291 implement this section.
292 Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
