Bill Text: FL S0934 | 2021 | Regular Session | Introduced

NOTE: There are more recent revisions of this legislation. Read Latest Draft

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Bill Title: Education

Spectrum: Slight Partisan Bill (? 2-1)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2021-04-26 - Laid on Table, companion bill(s) passed, see CS/HB 1159 (Ch. 2021-228), CS/HB 7011 (Ch. 2021-9), CS/CS/SB 1028 (Ch. 2021-35) [S0934 Detail]

Download: Florida-2021-S0934-Introduced.html

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       Florida Senate - 2021                                     SB 934
       
       
        
       By Senator Wright
       
       
       
       
       
       14-00473B-21                                           2021934__
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to education; amending s. 1004.04,
    3         F.S.; requiring additional specified strategies to be
    4         included in rules establishing uniform core curricula
    5         for each state-approved teacher preparation program;
    6         requiring that certain teacher preparation programs
    7         require students to demonstrate mastery of general
    8         knowledge by passing the General Knowledge Test of the
    9         Florida Teacher Certification Examination by the time
   10         of graduation; deleting a provision authorizing a
   11         teacher preparation program to waive certain
   12         admissions requirements for up to 10 percent of
   13         admitted students; amending s. 1004.85, F.S.;
   14         expanding the instruction that an educator preparation
   15         institute may provide to include instruction and
   16         professional development for part-time and full-time
   17         nondegreed teachers of career programs; amending s.
   18         1012.39, F.S.; revising the minimum qualifications for
   19         part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of career
   20         programs; amending s. 1012.56, F.S.; revising the
   21         acceptable means of demonstrating mastery of general
   22         knowledge to include documentation of receipt of a
   23         master’s or higher degree from certain postsecondary
   24         institutions; revising the criteria for the Department
   25         of Education to issue a professional certificate;
   26         amending s. 1012.986, F.S.; defining the term
   27         “educational leader”; providing that the William Cecil
   28         Golden Professional Development Program for School
   29         Leaders must consist of a network of specified
   30         entities; revising the goals of the program; requiring
   31         the department to also offer program components
   32         through university or educational leadership academies
   33         and through educational leadership coaching and
   34         mentoring; making technical changes; providing an
   35         effective date.
   36          
   37  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   38  
   39         Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) and paragraph
   40  (b) of subsection (3) of section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, are
   41  amended to read:
   42         1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
   43  teacher preparation programs.—
   44         (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
   45         (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
   46  state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
   47  not limited to, the following:
   48         1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida
   49  Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas.
   50         2. The use of state-adopted content standards to guide
   51  curricula and instruction.
   52         3. Scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
   53  instructional strategies that improve reading performance for
   54  all students, including explicit, systematic, and sequential
   55  approaches to teaching phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary,
   56  fluency, and text comprehension and multisensory intervention
   57  strategies.
   58         4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
   59         5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
   60  language learners.
   61         6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
   62  with disabilities.
   63         7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on student
   64  needs.
   65         8. The use of character-based classroom management.
   66         9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of
   67  students in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge and
   68  the referral of such student to a mental health professional for
   69  support.
   70         10. Strategies to support the use of technology in
   71  education and distance learning.
   72         (3) INITIAL STATE PROGRAM APPROVAL.—
   73         (b) Each teacher preparation program approved by the
   74  Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall
   75  require students to meet, at a minimum, the following
   76  requirements as prerequisites for admission into the program:
   77         1. For admission into the program, have a grade point
   78  average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the general education
   79  component of undergraduate studies or have completed the
   80  requirements for a baccalaureate degree with a minimum grade
   81  point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale from any college or
   82  university accredited by a regional accrediting association as
   83  defined by State Board of Education rule or any college or
   84  university otherwise approved pursuant to State Board of
   85  Education rule.
   86         2. Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge sufficient for
   87  entry into the program, including the ability to read, write,
   88  and perform in mathematics, by passing the General Knowledge
   89  Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination by the
   90  time of graduation or, for a graduate level program, obtain a
   91  baccalaureate degree from an institution that is accredited or
   92  approved pursuant to the rules of the State Board of Education.
   93  
   94  Each teacher preparation program may waive these admissions
   95  requirements for up to 10 percent of the students admitted.
   96  Programs shall implement strategies to ensure that students
   97  admitted under a waiver receive assistance to demonstrate
   98  competencies to successfully meet requirements for certification
   99  and shall annually report to the Department of Education the
  100  status of each candidate admitted under such a waiver.
  101         Section 2. Paragraph (a) of subsection (2) of section
  102  1004.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  103         1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
  104         (2)(a) Postsecondary institutions that are accredited or
  105  approved as described in State Board of Education rule may seek
  106  approval from the Department of Education to create educator
  107  preparation institutes for the purpose of providing any or all
  108  of the following:
  109         1. Professional development instruction to assist teachers
  110  in improving classroom instruction and in meeting certification
  111  or recertification requirements.
  112         2. Instruction to assist potential and existing substitute
  113  teachers in performing their duties.
  114         3. Instruction to assist paraprofessionals in meeting
  115  education and training requirements.
  116         4. Instruction for baccalaureate degree holders to become
  117  certified teachers as provided in this section in order to
  118  increase routes to the classroom for mid-career professionals
  119  who hold a baccalaureate degree and college graduates who were
  120  not education majors.
  121         5. Instruction and professional development for part-time
  122  and full-time nondegreed teachers of career programs under s.
  123  1012.39(1)(c).
  124         Section 3. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
  125  1012.39, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  126         1012.39 Employment of substitute teachers, teachers of
  127  adult education, nondegreed teachers of career education, and
  128  career specialists; students performing clinical field
  129  experience.—
  130         (1) Notwithstanding ss. 1012.32, 1012.55, 1012.56, and
  131  1012.57, or any other provision of law or rule to the contrary,
  132  each district school board shall establish the minimal
  133  qualifications for:
  134         (c) Part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of career
  135  programs. Qualifications shall be established for nondegreed
  136  teachers of career and technical education courses for program
  137  clusters that are recognized in the state and are based
  138  primarily on successful occupational experience rather than
  139  academic training. The qualifications for such teachers shall
  140  require:
  141         1. The filing of a complete set of fingerprints in the same
  142  manner as required by s. 1012.32. Faculty employed solely to
  143  conduct postsecondary instruction may be exempted from this
  144  requirement.
  145         2. Documentation of education and successful occupational
  146  experience including documentation of:
  147         a. A high school diploma or the equivalent.
  148         b. Completion of 6 years of full-time successful
  149  occupational experience or the equivalent of part-time
  150  experience in the teaching specialization area. The district
  151  school board may establish alternative qualifications for
  152  teachers with an industry certification in the career area in
  153  which they teach.
  154         c. Completion of career education training conducted
  155  through the local school district inservice master plan or
  156  through an educator preparation institute approved by the State
  157  Board of Education pursuant to s. 1004.85.
  158         d. For full-time teachers, completion of professional
  159  education training in teaching methods, course construction,
  160  lesson planning and evaluation, and teaching special needs
  161  students. This training may be completed through coursework from
  162  an accredited or approved institution or an approved district
  163  teacher education program.
  164         e. Demonstration of successful teaching performance.
  165         f. Documentation of industry certification when state or
  166  national industry certifications are available and applicable.
  167         Section 4.  Subsection (3) and paragraph (a) of subsection
  168  (7) of section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  169         1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
  170         (3) MASTERY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.—Acceptable means of
  171  demonstrating mastery of general knowledge are:
  172         (a) Achievement of passing scores on the general knowledge
  173  examination required by state board rule;
  174         (b) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching
  175  certificate issued by another state;
  176         (c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the
  177  National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national
  178  educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of
  179  Education;
  180         (d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time
  181  or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution,
  182  state university, or private college or university that awards
  183  an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution
  184  or an institution of higher education identified by the
  185  Department of Education as having a quality program; or
  186         (e) Achievement of passing scores, identified in state
  187  board rule, on national or international examinations that test
  188  comparable content and relevant standards in verbal, analytical
  189  writing, and quantitative reasoning skills, including, but not
  190  limited to, the verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative
  191  reasoning portions of the Graduate Record Examination. Passing
  192  scores identified in state board rule must be at approximately
  193  the same level of rigor as is required to pass the general
  194  knowledge examinations; or
  195         (f) Documentation of receipt of a master’s or higher degree
  196  from an accredited postsecondary educational institution that
  197  the Department of Education has identified as having a quality
  198  program resulting in a baccalaureate degree or higher.
  199  
  200  A school district that employs an individual who does not
  201  achieve passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge
  202  examination must provide information regarding the availability
  203  of state-level and district-level supports and instruction to
  204  assist him or her in achieving a passing score. Such information
  205  must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test
  206  information guides, school district test preparation resources,
  207  and preparation courses offered by state universities and
  208  Florida College System institutions.
  209         (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
  210         (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
  211  certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
  212  who fulfills one of the following:
  213         1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in
  214  subsection (2).
  215         2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through
  216  12:
  217         a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
  218  (h).
  219         b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
  220  science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
  221         c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
  222  advanced degree.
  223         d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s
  224  performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on
  225  student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
  226  assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
  227  Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
  228  examination.
  229         e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
  230  education competency examination required by state board rule.
  231         3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
  232  (h) and completes a professional preparation and education
  233  competence program approved by the department pursuant to
  234  paragraph (8)(c) or an educator preparation institute approved
  235  by the department pursuant to s. 1004.85. An applicant who
  236  completes one of these programs the program and is rated highly
  237  effective as determined by his or her performance evaluation
  238  under s. 1012.34 is not required to take or achieve a passing
  239  score on the professional education competency examination in
  240  order to be awarded a professional certificate.
  241  
  242  Each temporary certificate is valid for 3 school fiscal years
  243  and is nonrenewable. At least 1 year before an individual’s
  244  temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall
  245  electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or
  246  her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by
  247  which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be
  248  completed. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to
  249  allow the department to extend the validity period of a
  250  temporary certificate for 2 years when the requirements for the
  251  professional certificate were not completed due to the serious
  252  illness or injury of the applicant, the military service of an
  253  applicant’s spouse, other extraordinary extenuating
  254  circumstances, or if the certificateholder is rated highly
  255  effective in the immediate prior year’s performance evaluation
  256  pursuant to s. 1012.34 or has completed a 2-year mentorship
  257  program pursuant to s. 1012.56(8). The department shall extend
  258  the temporary certificate upon approval by the Commissioner of
  259  Education. A written request for extension of the certificate
  260  shall be submitted by the district school superintendent, the
  261  governing authority of a university lab school, the governing
  262  authority of a state-supported school, or the governing
  263  authority of a private school.
  264         Section 5. Subsections (1) and (2) of section 1012.986,
  265  Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
  266         1012.986 William Cecil Golden Professional Development
  267  Program for School Leaders.—
  268         (1) There is established the William Cecil Golden
  269  Professional Development Program for School Leaders to provide
  270  high-quality high standards and sustained support for
  271  educational principals as instructional leaders. For purposes of
  272  this section, “educational leader” means teacher leaders,
  273  assistant principals, principals, or school district leaders.
  274  The program shall consist of a collaborative network of school
  275  districts, state-approved educational leadership programs,
  276  regional consortia, charter management organizations, and state
  277  and national professional leadership organizations to respond to
  278  educational instructional leadership needs throughout the state.
  279  The network shall support the human-resource development needs
  280  of educational leaders principals, principal leadership teams,
  281  and candidates for principal leadership positions using the
  282  framework of leadership standards adopted by the State Board of
  283  Education, the Southern Regional Education Board, and the
  284  National Staff Development Council. The goal of the network
  285  leadership program is to:
  286         (a) Provide resources to support and enhance the roles of
  287  educational leaders principal’s role as the instructional
  288  leader.
  289         (b) Maintain a clearinghouse and disseminate data-supported
  290  information related to the continued enhancement of enhanced
  291  student achievement and learning, civic education, coaching and
  292  mentoring, mental health awareness, technology in education,
  293  distance learning, and school safety, based on educational
  294  research and best practices.
  295         (c) Build the capacity to Increase the quality and capacity
  296  of educational leadership development programs for preservice
  297  education for aspiring principals and inservice professional
  298  development for principals and principal leadership teams.
  299         (d) Support evidence-based leadership best teaching and
  300  research-based instructional practices through dissemination and
  301  modeling at the preservice and inservice levels for educational
  302  leaders both teachers and principals.
  303         (2) The Department of Education shall coordinate through
  304  the network identified in subsection (1) to offer the program
  305  components through multiple delivery systems, including:
  306         (a) Approved school district training programs.
  307         (b) Interactive technology-based instruction.
  308         (c) Regional consortium service organizations pursuant to
  309  s. 1001.451.
  310         (d) State, regional, university, or local educational
  311  leadership academies.
  312         (e) Educational leadership coaching and mentoring.
  313         Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2021.