Bill Text: FL S0204 | 2025 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Educator Certifications and Training
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1-0)
Status: (Introduced) 2025-01-13 - Filed [S0204 Detail]
Download: Florida-2025-S0204-Introduced.html
Florida Senate - 2025 SB 204
By Senator Jones
34-00513-25 2025204__
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 such persons to
12 receive training in mass casualty incidents; creating
13 s. 1012.5841, F.S.; requiring the Department of
14 Education to develop a list of approved trainings
15 relating to mass casualty incidents; beginning in a
16 specified school year, requiring the department to
17 include such trainings in existing continuing
18 education and inservice training requirements for
19 instructional personnel; providing applicability;
20 authorizing the State Board of Education to adopt
21 rules; amending ss. 1012.55 and 1012.57, F.S.;
22 conforming cross-references; providing an effective
23 date.
24
25 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
26
27 Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
28 1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
29 1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
30 teacher preparation programs.—
31 (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
32 (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
33 state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
34 not limited to, the following:
35 1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida
36 Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
37 2. The use of state-adopted content standards to guide
38 curricula and instruction.
39 3. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
40 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading
41 which improve reading performance for all students, including
42 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching
43 phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text
44 comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The
45 primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is
46 phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional
47 strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three
48 cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for
49 teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include
50 visual information and strategies that improve background and
51 experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language
52 and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to
53 teach word reading.
54 4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
55 5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
56 language learners.
57 6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
58 with disabilities.
59 7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student
60 needs.
61 8. Strategies and practices to support evidence-based
62 content aligned to state standards and grading practices.
63 9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of a
64 student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge and
65 the referral of such student to a mental health professional for
66 support.
67 10. Strategies to support the use of technology in
68 education and distance learning.
69 11. Strategies and practices to support effective,
70 research-based assessment and grading practices aligned to the
71 state’s academic standards.
72 12. Strategies and practices for identifying, preventing,
73 preparing for, addressing, and responding to mass casualty
74 incidents.
75 Section 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) of
76 section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
77 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
78 (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
79 this section may offer competency-based certification programs
80 specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate
81 degree holders to enable program participants to meet the
82 educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator
83 preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based
84 certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
85 must implement a program developed by the institute and approved
86 by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be
87 available for use by other approved educator preparation
88 institutes.
89 (a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval,
90 the Department of Education shall approve a preparation program
91 pursuant to the requirements of this subsection or issue a
92 statement of the deficiencies in the request for approval. The
93 department shall approve a certification program if the
94 institute provides evidence of the institute’s capacity to
95 implement a competency-based program that instructs and assesses
96 each candidate in the following:
97 1.a. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices approved
98 by the state board.
99 b. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41,
100 including scientifically based reading instruction, content
101 literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject
102 identified on the statement of status of eligibility or the
103 temporary certificate.
104 c. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
105 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading
106 which improve reading performance for all students, including
107 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching
108 phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text
109 comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The
110 primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is
111 phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional
112 strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three
113 cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for
114 teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include
115 visual information and strategies which improve background and
116 experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language
117 and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to
118 teach word reading.
119 d. Strategies and practices for identifying, preventing,
120 preparing for, addressing, and responding to mass casualty
121 incidents.
122 2. An educational plan for each participant to meet
123 certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to
124 teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking
125 certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her
126 competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1.
127 3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification
128 subject area specified in the educational plan under the
129 supervision of qualified educators. The state board shall
130 determine in rule the amount of field experience necessary to
131 serve as the teacher of record, beginning with candidates
132 entering a program in the 2023-2024 school year.
133 4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and
134 procedures required for participants who complete the program to
135 meet any requirements related to the background screening
136 pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary
137 certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
138 (b) Each program participant must:
139 1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.
140 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in
141 the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet
142 the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f)
143 before participating in field experiences.
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), (h), and (i) of
163 subsection (2) of section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are
164 redesignated as paragraphs (h), (i), and (j), respectively, a
165 new paragraph (g) is added to that subsection, and paragraphs
166 (a), (b), and (d) of subsection (7) of that section are amended,
167 to read:
168 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
169 (2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to seek
170 certification, a person must:
171 (g) Have received training that includes strategies and
172 practices for identifying, preventing, preparing for,
173 addressing, and responding to mass casualty incidents.
174 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
175 (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
176 certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
177 who fulfills one of the following:
178 1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in
179 subsection (2).
180 2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through
181 12:
182 a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
183 (i) (2)(a)-(h).
184 b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
185 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
186 c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
187 advanced degree.
188 d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s
189 performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on
190 student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
191 assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
192 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
193 examination.
194 e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
195 education competency examination required by state board rule.
196 3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
197 (i) (2)(a)-(h) and completes a professional learning
198 certification program approved by the department pursuant to
199 paragraph (8)(c) or an educator preparation institute approved
200 by the department pursuant to s. 1004.85. An applicant who
201 completes one of these programs and is rated highly effective as
202 determined by his or her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34
203 is not required to take or achieve a passing score on the
204 professional education competency examination in order to be
205 awarded a professional certificate.
206 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to
207 any applicant who:
208 1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs
209 (2)(a)-(g) (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content
210 requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates
211 mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and
212 holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the
213 Department of Education at the level required for the subject
214 area specialization in state board rule;
215 2. For a subject area specialization for which the state
216 board otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree, documents 48
217 months of active-duty military service with an honorable
218 discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements
219 outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(g) (d)-(f);
220 completes the subject area content requirements specified in
221 state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject area
222 knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents completion
223 of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point
224 average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more
225 accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited
226 institution of higher learning identified by the Department of
227 Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s
228 degree or higher; or
229 3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation
230 program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required
231 program field experience or internship at a public school;
232 completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b),
233 and (d)-(g) (d)-(f); completes the subject area content
234 requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates
235 mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5);
236 and documents completion of 60 college credits with a minimum
237 cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as
238 provided by one or more accredited institutions of higher
239 learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning
240 identified by the Department of Education as having a quality
241 program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher.
242 (d) The department shall issue a temporary apprenticeship
243 certificate to any applicant who meets the requirements of
244 paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(g) (d)-(f).
245
246 At least 1 year before an individual’s temporary certificate is
247 set to expire, the department shall electronically notify the
248 individual of the date on which his or her certificate will
249 expire and provide a list of each method by which the
250 qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed.
251 Section 4. Section 1012.5841, Florida Statutes, is created
252 to read:
253 1012.5841 Continuing education and inservice training for
254 identifying, preventing, preparing for, addressing, and
255 responding to mass casualty incidents.—
256 (1) The Department of Education shall develop a list of
257 approved trainings to prepare instructional personnel to
258 identify, prevent, prepare for, address, and respond to mass
259 casualty incidents.
260 (2) Beginning with the 2025-2026 school year, the
261 department shall incorporate the training included in the list
262 required under subsection (1) into existing requirements for the
263 continuing education or inservice training of instructional
264 personnel. The requirements of this section may not add to the
265 total hours required for continuing education or inservice
266 training as currently established by the department.
267 (3) A person has no cause of action for any loss or damage
268 caused by an act or omission resulting from the implementation
269 of this section or resulting from any training required by this
270 section unless the loss or damage was caused by willful or
271 wanton misconduct. This section does not create any new duty of
272 care or basis of liability.
273 (4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to
274 implement this section.
275 Section 5. Subsection (5) of section 1012.55, Florida
276 Statutes, is amended to read:
277 1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.—
278 (5) Notwithstanding this section and ss. 1012.32 and
279 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to the contrary,
280 the State Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow for the
281 issuance of a classical education teaching certificate, upon the
282 request of a classical school, to any applicant who fulfills the
283 requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and
284 (11) and any other criteria established by the department. Such
285 certificate is only valid at a classical school. For the
286 purposes of this subsection, the term “classical school” means a
287 school that implements and provides professional learning in a
288 classical education school model that emphasizes the development
289 of students in the principles of moral character and civic
290 virtue through a well-rounded education in the liberal arts and
291 sciences that is based on the classical trivium stages of
292 grammar, logic, and rhetoric.
293 Section 6. Subsection (1) of section 1012.57, Florida
294 Statutes, is amended to read:
295 1012.57 Certification of adjunct educators.—
296 (1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 1012.32, 1012.55,
297 and 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to the
298 contrary, district school boards and charter school governing
299 boards shall adopt rules to allow for the issuance of an adjunct
300 teaching certificate to any applicant who fulfills the
301 requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) and
302 (11) and who has expertise in the subject area to be taught. An
303 applicant is considered to have expertise in the subject area to
304 be taught if the applicant demonstrates sufficient subject area
305 mastery through passage of a subject area test or has achieved
306 an industry certification in the subject area to be taught.
307 Section 7. This act shall take effect July 1, 2025.
