Bill Text: DE SB252 | 2023-2024 | 152nd General Assembly | Draft

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft
Bill Title: An Act To Amend Title 14 Relating To Educator Preparation Programs.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2024-06-30 - Signed by Governor [SB252 Detail]

Download: Delaware-2023-SB252-Draft.html

SPONSOR:

Sen. Sturgeon & Rep. K. Williams & Rep. Heffernan

Sens. Gay, Hoffner

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 252

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 RELATING TO EDUCATOR PREPARATION PROGRAMS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend § 1280, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1280. Educator preparation program approval.

(f)(1) The Department shall promulgate rules and regulations governing educator preparation programs under this subchapter in collaboration with Delaware educators.

(3)a. As part of the approval and renewal process for educator preparation programs under subsection (a) of this section, the Department shall perform an audit of a program’s compliance with the reading instruction requirements under paragraphs (c)(3) and (f)(2) of this section. For this audit, the Department may observe classrooms and review work samples of program candidates.

b. If an audit finds that an educator preparation program is not compliant with the reading instruction requirements, all of the following apply:

1. The audit findings must specifically identify each area in which the program is not compliant.

2. The Department must require that the program take corrective action in each area identified under paragraph (f)(3)b.1. of this section.

c. If an audit finds that an educator preparation program is compliant with all reading instruction requirements, the Department shall award the program a specific distinction.

d. The Department must use the information gained from these audits to identify how teacher preparation in reading instruction can be improved and when possible, revise the regulations under paragraph (f)(1) of this section to implement these improvements.

e. The Department must include the audit findings under paragraphs (f)(3)a. through (f)(3)c. of this section in the reports published under subsection (e) of this section.

SYNOPSIS

This Act requires that the Department of Education (Department) perform audits of educator preparation programs (program) to assess compliance with the evidence-based reading instruction requirements, known as the "science of reading", that were enacted on June 30, 2021, by Senate Bill No. 133 (151st). If a program is not compliant with these requirements, the audit findings must specifically identify each area in which the program is not compliant, and the Department must require that the program take corrective action for each non-compliant area. If a program is complaint with all of the science of reading requirements, the Department shall award the program a specific distinction.

This Act also requires that the Department use these audits to identify how teacher preparation in reading instruction can be improved and that the audit findings be included in the reports the Department already publishes about educator preparation programs.

Author: Senator Sturgeon

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