Bill Text: FL S7000 | 2024 | Regular Session | Engrossed
Bill Title: Deregulation of Public Schools/Instructional, Administrative, and Support Personnel
Spectrum: Bipartisan Bill
Status: (Failed) 2024-03-08 - Died in Messages [S7000 Detail]
Download: Florida-2024-S7000-Engrossed.html
CS for SB 7000 First Engrossed
20247000e1
1 A bill to be entitled
2 An act relating to deregulation of public
3 schools/instructional, administrative, and support
4 personnel; amending s. 1002.451, F.S.; requiring
5 innovation schools of technology to comply with
6 specified provisions of law relating to instructional
7 multiyear contracts for instructional personnel in
8 addition to annual contracts; amending s. 1002.55,
9 F.S.; requiring newly hired prekindergarten
10 instructors to complete specified training within a
11 specified timeframe; deleting obsolete language;
12 amending s. 1004.88, F.S.; authorizing the Florida
13 Institute for Charter School Innovation to develop a
14 professional learning system; amending s. 1011.6202,
15 F.S.; requiring schools participating in the Principal
16 Autonomy Program Initiative to comply with specified
17 provisions of law relating to instructional multiyear
18 contracts for instructional personnel in addition to
19 annual contracts; amending s. 1012.05, F.S.;
20 authorizing, rather than requiring, district school
21 boards to base certain policies on guidelines from the
22 Department of Education; revising the frequency with
23 which school districts must submit certain information
24 to the department; amending s. 1012.07, F.S.;
25 requiring the State Board of Education to develop
26 written strategies to address critical teacher
27 shortages; making a technical change; amending s.
28 1012.22, F.S.; deleting a prohibition on district
29 school boards using advanced degrees to set salary
30 schedules for instructional personnel and school
31 administrators hired after a specified date; deleting
32 requirements relating to annual salary adjustments;
33 providing that collective bargaining may not preclude
34 a district school board from carrying out specified
35 duties; providing that if a superintendent appears
36 before the State Board of Education for a specified
37 purpose, the president of the school district
38 bargaining unit also must appear; making technical
39 changes; amending s. 1012.2315, F.S.; providing that
40 provisions of law relating to the assignment of
41 teachers apply to inexperienced teachers instead of
42 temporarily certified teachers; defining the term
43 “inexperienced teacher”; providing that a school
44 district may still provide specified incentives to
45 teachers despite collective bargaining provisions;
46 making technical changes; amending s. 1012.335, F.S.;
47 defining the term “instructional multiyear contract”;
48 providing requirements for the award of an
49 instructional multiyear contract; requiring that an
50 employee awarded an instructional multiyear contract
51 be returned to an annual contract under certain
52 conditions; making conforming and technical changes;
53 amending s. 1012.34, F.S.; requiring that procedures
54 and requirements established by the district school
55 superintendent for performance evaluations be approved
56 by the district school board; requiring the district
57 school superintendent to submit evaluation systems to
58 the department under certain circumstances; deleting a
59 requirement for the department to approve and monitor
60 each school district’s evaluation systems; revising
61 the portion of a performance evaluation that is based
62 on student performance; deleting requirements for
63 performance evaluations; providing that student
64 performance may not be the sole determinant for
65 incentive pay for instructional personnel or school
66 administrators; amending s. 1012.39, F.S.; revising an
67 occupational experience qualification requirement for
68 nondegreed teachers of career programs; deleting a
69 training requirement for full-time nondegreed teachers
70 of career programs; amending s. 1012.45, F.S.;
71 revising requirements for school bus drivers;
72 authorizing district school boards to adopt additional
73 requirements for school bus drivers; requiring school
74 bus drivers and school bus attendants to complete
75 training in cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first
76 aid; requiring school districts to maintain
77 documentation of such training; requiring district
78 school boards to provide training to school bus
79 drivers and school bus attendants relating to students
80 with disabilities; deleting a requirement for the
81 State Board of Education to adopt rules relating to
82 school bus drivers; amending s. 1012.555, F.S.;
83 revising requirements for individuals to participate
84 in the Teacher Apprenticeship Program; amending s.
85 1012.56, F.S.; adding an additional method for an
86 individual seeking an educator certification to
87 demonstrate a mastery of general knowledge;
88 authorizing school districts and consortia of school
89 districts to issue temporary certificates under
90 certain conditions; conforming a cross-reference;
91 amending s. 1012.57, F.S.; deleting a provision
92 relating to adjunct teaching certificates; amending s.
93 1012.575, F.S.; providing that certain provisions
94 relating to alternative teacher preparation programs
95 also apply to the Florida Institute for Charter School
96 Innovation; amending s. 1012.585, F.S.; revising the
97 validity period for professional certificates;
98 providing eligibility requirements for 5-year and 10
99 year professional certificates; requiring the State
100 Board of Education to adopt rules to provide for the
101 transition to or renewal of a 10-year professional
102 certificate in certain situations; revising
103 requirements for the renewal of professional
104 certificates; authorizing certain private school
105 teachers to extend the expiration date of a
106 professional certificate; amending s. 1012.59, F.S.;
107 providing examination and certification fee waivers
108 for certain teachers; requiring the Commissioner of
109 Education to make recommendations to the Governor and
110 the Legislature regarding exceptional student
111 education instructional personnel; requiring the
112 commissioner to consider certain provisions; repealing
113 s. 1012.72, F.S., relating to the Dale Hickam
114 Excellent Teaching Program; amending s. 1012.98, F.S.;
115 conforming a cross-reference; providing that
116 provisions relating to the development of a
117 professional learning system apply to the Florida
118 Institute for Charter School Innovation; making
119 technical changes; amending ss. 1004.04, 1004.85, and
120 1012.586, F.S.; conforming cross-references; providing
121 an effective date.
122
123 Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
124
125 Section 1. Paragraph (a) of subsection (5) of section
126 1002.451, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
127 1002.451 District innovation school of technology program.—
128 (5) EXEMPTION FROM STATUTES.—
129 (a) An innovation school of technology is exempt from
130 chapters 1000-1013. However, an innovation school of technology
131 shall comply with the following provisions of those chapters:
132 1. Laws pertaining to the following:
133 a. Schools of technology, including this section.
134 b. Student assessment program and school grading system.
135 c. Services to students who have disabilities.
136 d. Civil rights, including s. 1000.05, relating to
137 discrimination.
138 e. Student health, safety, and welfare.
139 2. Laws governing the election and compensation of district
140 school board members and election or appointment and
141 compensation of district school superintendents.
142 3. Section 1003.03, governing maximum class size, except
143 that the calculation for compliance pursuant to s. 1003.03 is
144 the average at the school level.
145 4. Sections 1012.22(1)(c) and 1012.27(2), relating to
146 compensation and salary schedules.
147 5. Section 1012.33(5), relating to workforce reductions,
148 for annual contracts for instructional personnel. This
149 subparagraph does not apply to at-will employees.
150 6. Section 1012.335, relating to contracts with
151 instructional personnel hired on or after July 1, 2011, for
152 annual or instructional multiyear contracts for instructional
153 personnel. This subparagraph does not apply to at-will
154 employees.
155 7. Section 1012.34, relating to requirements for
156 performance evaluations of instructional personnel and school
157 administrators.
158 Section 2. Paragraph (c) of subsection (3) of section
159 1002.55, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
160 1002.55 School-year prekindergarten program delivered by
161 private prekindergarten providers.—
162 (3) To be eligible to deliver the prekindergarten program,
163 a private prekindergarten provider must meet each of the
164 following requirements:
165 (c) The private prekindergarten provider must have, for
166 each prekindergarten class of 11 children or fewer, at least one
167 prekindergarten instructor who meets each of the following
168 requirements:
169 1. The prekindergarten instructor must hold, at a minimum,
170 one of the following credentials:
171 a. A child development associate credential issued by the
172 National Credentialing Program of the Council for Professional
173 Recognition; or
174 b. A credential approved by the Department of Children and
175 Families as being equivalent to or greater than the credential
176 described in sub-subparagraph a.
177
178 The Department of Children and Families may adopt rules under
179 ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which provide criteria and procedures
180 for approving equivalent credentials under sub-subparagraph b.
181 2. The prekindergarten instructor must successfully
182 complete three emergent literacy training courses that include
183 developmentally appropriate and experiential learning practices
184 for children and a student performance standards training course
185 approved by the department as meeting or exceeding the minimum
186 standards adopted under s. 1002.59. A newly hired
187 prekindergarten instructor must complete the three emergent
188 literacy training courses within 60 calendar days after being
189 hired if the instructor has not previously completed the
190 courses. The prekindergarten instructor must complete an
191 emergent literacy training course at least once every 5 years
192 after initially completing the three emergent literacy training
193 courses. The courses in this subparagraph must be recognized as
194 part of the informal early learning and career pathway
195 identified by the department under s. 1002.995(1)(b). The
196 requirement for completion of the standards training course
197 shall take effect July 1, 2022. The courses must be made
198 available online or in person.
199 Section 3. Present subsections (3) and (4) of section
200 1004.88, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as subsections (4)
201 and (5), respectively, and a new subsection (3) is added to that
202 section, to read:
203 1004.88 Florida Institute for Charter School Innovation.—
204 (3) The institute may develop a professional learning
205 system pursuant to s. 1012.98(7).
206 Section 4. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
207 1011.6202, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
208 1011.6202 Principal Autonomy Program Initiative.—The
209 Principal Autonomy Program Initiative is created within the
210 Department of Education. The purpose of the program is to
211 provide a highly effective principal of a participating school
212 with increased autonomy and authority to operate his or her
213 school, as well as other schools, in a way that produces
214 significant improvements in student achievement and school
215 management while complying with constitutional requirements. The
216 State Board of Education may, upon approval of a principal
217 autonomy proposal, enter into a performance contract with the
218 district school board for participation in the program.
219 (3) EXEMPTION FROM LAWS.—
220 (b) A participating school or a school operated by a
221 principal pursuant to subsection (5) shall comply with the
222 provisions of chapters 1000-1013, and rules of the state board
223 that implement those provisions, pertaining to the following:
224 1. Those laws relating to the election and compensation of
225 district school board members, the election or appointment and
226 compensation of district school superintendents, public meetings
227 and public records requirements, financial disclosure, and
228 conflicts of interest.
229 2. Those laws relating to the student assessment program
230 and school grading system, including chapter 1008.
231 3. Those laws relating to the provision of services to
232 students with disabilities.
233 4. Those laws relating to civil rights, including s.
234 1000.05, relating to discrimination.
235 5. Those laws relating to student health, safety, and
236 welfare.
237 6. Section 1001.42(4)(f), relating to the uniform opening
238 date for public schools.
239 7. Section 1003.03, governing maximum class size, except
240 that the calculation for compliance pursuant to s. 1003.03 is
241 the average at the school level for a participating school.
242 8. Sections 1012.22(1)(c) and 1012.27(2), relating to
243 compensation and salary schedules.
244 9. Section 1012.33(5), relating to workforce reductions for
245 annual contracts for instructional personnel. This subparagraph
246 does not apply to at-will employees.
247 10. Section 1012.335, relating to annual or instructional
248 multiyear contracts for instructional personnel hired on or
249 after July 1, 2011. This subparagraph does not apply to at-will
250 employees.
251 11. Section 1012.34, relating to personnel evaluation
252 procedures and criteria.
253 12. Those laws pertaining to educational facilities,
254 including chapter 1013, except that s. 1013.20, relating to
255 covered walkways for relocatables, and s. 1013.21, relating to
256 the use of relocatable facilities exceeding 20 years of age, are
257 eligible for exemption.
258 13. Those laws pertaining to participating school
259 districts, including this section and ss. 1011.69(2) and
260 1012.28(8).
261 Section 5. Subsection (3) of section 1012.05, Florida
262 Statutes, is amended to read:
263 1012.05 Teacher recruitment and retention.—
264 (3)(a) Each school board shall adopt policies relating to
265 mentors and support for first-time teachers which may include
266 the based upon guidelines issued by the Department of Education.
267 (b) By September 15 and February 15 each school year, each
268 school district shall electronically submit accurate public
269 school e-mail addresses for all instructional and administrative
270 personnel, as identified in s. 1012.01(2) and (3), to the
271 Department of Education.
272 Section 6. Section 1012.07, Florida Statutes, is amended to
273 read:
274 1012.07 Identification of critical teacher shortage areas.
275 The term “critical teacher shortage area” means high-need
276 content areas and high-priority location areas identified by the
277 State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall
278 adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 necessary to
279 annually identify critical teacher shortage areas. The state
280 board must consider current and emerging educational
281 requirements and workforce demands in determining critical
282 teacher shortage areas. School grade levels may also be
283 designated critical teacher shortage areas. Individual district
284 school boards may identify and submit other critical teacher
285 shortage areas. Such submissions must be aligned to current and
286 emerging educational requirements and workforce demands in order
287 to be approved by the State Board of Education. High-priority
288 location areas must shall be in high-density, low-economic urban
289 schools; low-density, low-economic rural schools; and schools
290 that earned a grade of “F” or three consecutive grades of “D”
291 pursuant to s. 1008.34. The State Board of Education shall
292 develop written strategies to address the critical teacher
293 shortages identified.
294 Section 7. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
295 1012.22, Florida Statutes, is amended, and subsection (3) is
296 added to that section, to read:
297 1012.22 Public school personnel; powers and duties of the
298 district school board.—The district school board shall:
299 (1) Designate positions to be filled, prescribe
300 qualifications for those positions, and provide for the
301 appointment, compensation, promotion, suspension, and dismissal
302 of employees as follows, subject to the requirements of this
303 chapter:
304 (c) Compensation and salary schedules.—
305 1. Definitions.—As used in this paragraph:
306 a. “Adjustment” means an addition to the base salary
307 schedule that is not a bonus and becomes part of the employee’s
308 permanent base salary and shall be considered compensation under
309 s. 121.021(22).
310 b. “Grandfathered salary schedule” means the salary
311 schedule or schedules adopted by a district school board before
312 July 1, 2014, pursuant to subparagraph 3 4.
313 c. “Instructional personnel” means instructional personnel
314 as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a)-(d), excluding substitute
315 teachers.
316 d. “Performance salary schedule” means the salary schedule
317 or schedules adopted by a district school board pursuant to
318 subparagraph 4 5.
319 e. “Salary schedule” means the schedule or schedules used
320 to provide the base salary for district school board personnel.
321 f. “School administrator” means a school administrator as
322 defined in s. 1012.01(3)(c).
323 g. “Supplement” means an annual addition to the base salary
324 for the term of the negotiated supplement as long as the
325 employee continues his or her employment for the purpose of the
326 supplement. A supplement does not become part of the employee’s
327 continuing base salary but shall be considered compensation
328 under s. 121.021(22).
329 2. Cost-of-living adjustment.—A district school board may
330 provide a cost-of-living salary adjustment if the adjustment:
331 a. Does not discriminate among comparable classes of
332 employees based upon the salary schedule under which they are
333 compensated.
334 b. Does not exceed 50 percent of the annual adjustment
335 provided to instructional personnel rated as effective.
336 3. Advanced degrees.—A district school board may not use
337 advanced degrees in setting a salary schedule for instructional
338 personnel or school administrators hired on or after July 1,
339 2011, unless the advanced degree is held in the individual’s
340 area of certification and is only a salary supplement.
341 4. Grandfathered salary schedule.—
342 a. The district school board shall adopt a salary schedule
343 or salary schedules to be used as the basis for paying all
344 school employees hired before July 1, 2014. Instructional
345 personnel on annual contract as of July 1, 2014, shall be placed
346 on the performance salary schedule adopted under subparagraph 4
347 5. Instructional personnel on continuing contract or
348 professional service contract may opt into the performance
349 salary schedule if the employee relinquishes such contract and
350 agrees to be employed on an annual contract under s. 1012.335.
351 Such an employee shall be placed on the performance salary
352 schedule and may not return to continuing contract or
353 professional service contract status. Any employee who opts into
354 the performance salary schedule may not return to the
355 grandfathered salary schedule.
356 b. In determining the grandfathered salary schedule for
357 instructional personnel, a district school board must base a
358 portion of each employee’s compensation upon performance
359 demonstrated under s. 1012.34 and shall provide differentiated
360 pay for both instructional personnel and school administrators
361 based upon district-determined factors, including, but not
362 limited to, additional responsibilities, school demographics,
363 critical shortage areas, and level of job performance
364 difficulties.
365 4.5. Performance salary schedule.—By July 1, 2014, the
366 district school board shall adopt a performance salary schedule
367 that provides annual salary adjustments for instructional
368 personnel and school administrators based upon performance
369 determined under s. 1012.34. Employees hired on or after July 1,
370 2014, or employees who choose to move from the grandfathered
371 salary schedule to the performance salary schedule shall be
372 compensated pursuant to the performance salary schedule once
373 they have received the appropriate performance evaluation for
374 this purpose.
375 a. Base salary.—The base salary shall be established as
376 follows:
377 (I) The base salary for instructional personnel or school
378 administrators who opt into the performance salary schedule
379 shall be the salary paid in the prior year, including
380 adjustments only.
381 (II) Instructional personnel or school administrators new
382 to the district, returning to the district after a break in
383 service without an authorized leave of absence, or appointed for
384 the first time to a position in the district in the capacity of
385 instructional personnel or school administrator shall be placed
386 on the performance salary schedule.
387 b. Salary adjustments.—Salary adjustments for highly
388 effective or effective performance shall be established as
389 follows:
390 (I) The annual salary adjustment under the performance
391 salary schedule for an employee rated as highly effective must
392 be at least 25 percent greater than the highest annual salary
393 adjustment available to an employee of the same classification
394 through any other salary schedule adopted by the district.
395 (II) The annual salary adjustment under the performance
396 salary schedule for an employee rated as effective must be equal
397 to at least 50 percent and no more than 75 percent of the annual
398 adjustment provided for a highly effective employee of the same
399 classification.
400 (II)(III) A salary schedule may shall not provide an annual
401 salary adjustment for an employee who receives a rating other
402 than highly effective or effective for the year.
403 c. Salary supplements.—In addition to the salary
404 adjustments, each district school board shall provide for salary
405 supplements for activities that must include, but are not
406 limited to:
407 (I) Assignment to a Title I eligible school.
408 (II) Assignment to a school that earned a grade of “F” or
409 three consecutive grades of “D” pursuant to s. 1008.34 such that
410 the supplement remains in force for at least 1 year following
411 improved performance in that school.
412 (III) Certification and teaching in critical teacher
413 shortage areas. Statewide critical teacher shortage areas shall
414 be identified by the State Board of Education under s. 1012.07.
415 However, the district school board may identify other areas of
416 critical shortage within the school district for purposes of
417 this sub-sub-subparagraph and may remove areas identified by the
418 state board which do not apply within the school district.
419 (IV) Assignment of additional academic responsibilities.
420
421 If budget constraints in any given year limit a district school
422 board’s ability to fully fund all adopted salary schedules, the
423 performance salary schedule may shall not be reduced on the
424 basis of total cost or the value of individual awards in a
425 manner that is proportionally greater than reductions to any
426 other salary schedules adopted by the district. Any compensation
427 for longevity of service awarded to instructional personnel who
428 are on any other salary schedule must be included in calculating
429 the salary adjustments required by sub-subparagraph b.
430 (3)(a) Collective bargaining.—Notwithstanding provisions of
431 chapter 447 related to district school board collective
432 bargaining, collective bargaining may not preclude a district
433 school board from carrying out its constitutional and statutory
434 duties related to the following:
435 1. Providing incentives to effective and highly effective
436 teachers.
437 2. Implementing school improvement plans under s. 1008.33
438 to address the causes of low student performance and improve
439 student academic performance and attendance.
440 3. Implementing student discipline provisions required by
441 law, including a review of a student’s abilities, past
442 performance, behavior, and needs.
443 4. Implementing school safety plans and requirements.
444 5. Implementing staff and student recognition programs.
445 6. Distributing correspondence to parents, teachers, and
446 community members related to the daily operation of schools and
447 the district.
448 7. Providing any required notice or copies of information
449 related to the district school board or district operations
450 which is readily available on the school district’s website.
451 8. The school district’s calendar.
452 9. The award of instructional multiyear contracts under s.
453 1012.335.
454 (b) Appearances before the board.—If a district school
455 superintendent appears before the state board to provide an
456 update under s. 1011.62(14)(e), the state board must require
457 that the president of the school district bargaining unit also
458 must appear.
459 Section 8. Subsections (1) and (2) and paragraph (a) of
460 subsection (4) of section 1012.2315, Florida Statutes, are
461 amended to read:
462 1012.2315 Assignment of teachers.—
463 (1) LEGISLATIVE FINDINGS AND INTENT.—The Legislature finds
464 disparities between teachers assigned to teach in a majority of
465 schools that do not need improvement and schools that do need
466 improvement pursuant to s. 1008.33. The disparities may be found
467 in the assignment of inexperienced temporarily certified
468 teachers, teachers in need of improvement, and out-of-field
469 teachers and in the performance of the students. It is the
470 intent of the Legislature that district school boards have
471 flexibility through the collective bargaining process to assign
472 teachers more equitably across the schools in the district.
473 (2) ASSIGNMENT TO SCHOOLS GRADED “D” OR “F”.—
474 (a) A school district may not assign a higher percentage
475 than the school district average of inexperienced temporarily
476 certified teachers, teachers in need of improvement, or out-of
477 field teachers to schools graded “D” or “F” pursuant to s.
478 1008.34. As used in this section, the term “inexperienced
479 teacher” means a teacher who has been teaching for 2 years or
480 less.
481 (b)1. A school district may assign an individual newly
482 hired as instructional personnel to a school that has earned a
483 grade of “F” in the previous year or any combination of three
484 consecutive grades of “D” or “F” in the previous 3 years
485 pursuant to s. 1008.34 if the individual:
486 a. Has received an effective rating or highly effective
487 rating in the immediate prior year’s performance evaluation
488 pursuant to s. 1012.34;
489 b. Has successfully completed or is enrolled in a teacher
490 preparation program pursuant to s. 1004.04, s. 1004.85, or s.
491 1012.56, or a teacher preparation program specified in State
492 Board of Education rule, is provided with high quality mentoring
493 during the first 2 years of employment, holds a certificate
494 issued pursuant to s. 1012.56, and holds a probationary contract
495 pursuant to s. 1012.335(2)(a); or
496 c. Holds a probationary contract pursuant to s.
497 1012.335(2)(a), holds a certificate issued pursuant to s.
498 1012.56, and has successful teaching experience, and if, in the
499 judgment of the school principal, students would benefit from
500 the placement of that individual.
501 2. As used in this paragraph, the term “mentoring” includes
502 the use of student achievement data combined with at least
503 monthly observations to improve the educator’s effectiveness in
504 improving student outcomes. Mentoring may be provided by a
505 school district, a teacher preparation program approved pursuant
506 to s. 1004.04, s. 1004.85, or s. 1012.56, or a teacher
507 preparation program specified in State Board of Education rule.
508
509 Each school district shall annually certify to the Commissioner
510 of Education that the requirements in this subsection have been
511 met. If the commissioner determines that a school district is
512 not in compliance with this subsection, the State Board of
513 Education must shall be notified and must shall take action
514 pursuant to s. 1008.32 in the next regularly scheduled meeting
515 to require compliance.
516 (4) COLLECTIVE BARGAINING.—
517 (a) Notwithstanding provisions of chapter 447 relating to
518 district school board collective bargaining, collective
519 bargaining provisions may not preclude a school district from
520 providing incentives to high-quality teachers and assigning such
521 teachers to low-performing schools, including incentives in s.
522 1011.69(4).
523 Section 9. Present paragraphs (b) and (c) of subsection (1)
524 of section 1012.335, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as
525 paragraphs (c) and (d), respectively, a new paragraph (b) is
526 added to that subsection, paragraphs (d) and (e) are added to
527 subsection (2) of that section, and subsections (3) and (4) of
528 that section are amended, to read:
529 1012.335 Contracts with instructional personnel hired on or
530 after July 1, 2011.—
531 (1) DEFINITIONS.—As used in this section, the term:
532 (b) “Instructional multiyear contract,” beginning July 1,
533 2025, means an employment contract for a period not to exceed 3
534 years which the district school board may choose to award upon
535 completion of a probationary contract and at least one annual
536 contract.
537 (2) EMPLOYMENT.—
538 (d) An instructional multiyear contract may be awarded,
539 beginning July 1, 2025, only if the employee:
540 1. Holds an active professional certificate or temporary
541 certificate issued pursuant to s. 1012.56 and rules of the State
542 Board of Education;
543 2. Has been recommended by the district school
544 superintendent for the instructional multiyear contract based
545 upon the individual’s evaluation under s. 1012.34 and approved
546 by the district school board; and
547 3. Has not received an annual performance evaluation rating
548 of unsatisfactory or needs improvement under s. 1012.34.
549 (e) An employee awarded an instructional multiyear contract
550 who receives an annual performance evaluation rating of
551 unsatisfactory or needs improvement under s. 1012.34 must be
552 returned to an annual contract in the following school year.
553 Such evaluation rating must be included with the evaluation
554 ratings under subsequent annual contracts for determinations of
555 just cause under s. 1012.33.
556 (3) VIOLATION OF ANNUAL OR INSTRUCTIONAL MULTIYEAR
557 CONTRACT.—Instructional personnel who accept a written offer
558 from the district school board and who leave their positions
559 without prior release from the district school board are subject
560 to the jurisdiction of the Education Practices Commission.
561 (4) SUSPENSION OR DISMISSAL OF INSTRUCTIONAL PERSONNEL ON
562 ANNUAL OR INSTRUCTIONAL MULTIYEAR CONTRACT.—Any instructional
563 personnel with an annual or instructional multiyear contract may
564 be suspended or dismissed at any time during the term of the
565 contract for just cause as provided in subsection (5). The
566 district school board shall notify the employee in writing
567 whenever charges are made and may suspend such person without
568 pay. However, if the charges are not sustained, the employee
569 must shall be immediately reinstated and his or her back pay
570 must shall be paid. If the employee wishes to contest the
571 charges, he or she must, within 15 days after receipt of the
572 written notice, submit a written request for a hearing to the
573 district school board. A direct hearing must shall be conducted
574 by the district school board or a subcommittee thereof within 60
575 days after receipt of the written appeal. The hearing must shall
576 be conducted in accordance with ss. 120.569 and 120.57. A
577 majority vote of the membership of the district school board
578 shall be required to sustain the district school
579 superintendent’s recommendation. The district school board’s
580 determination is final as to the sufficiency or insufficiency of
581 the grounds for suspension without pay or dismissal. Any such
582 decision adverse to the employee may be appealed by the employee
583 pursuant to s. 120.68.
584 Section 10. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (1) and
585 paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section 1012.34, Florida
586 Statutes, are amended, and paragraph (c) is added to subsection
587 (7) of that section, to read:
588 1012.34 Personnel evaluation procedures and criteria.—
589 (1) EVALUATION SYSTEM APPROVAL AND REPORTING.—
590 (a) For the purpose of increasing student academic
591 performance by improving the quality of instructional,
592 administrative, and supervisory services in the public schools
593 of this the state, the district school superintendent shall
594 establish procedures for evaluating the performance of duties
595 and responsibilities of all instructional, administrative, and
596 supervisory personnel employed by the school district. The
597 procedures and requirements in subsection (3) must be
598 established by the district school superintendent and approved
599 by the district school board, must set the standards of service
600 to be offered to the public within the meaning of s. 447.209,
601 and are not subject to collective bargaining. The district
602 school superintendent shall provide instructional personnel the
603 opportunity to review their class rosters for accuracy and to
604 correct any mistakes. The district school superintendent shall
605 report accurate class rosters for the purpose of calculating
606 district and statewide student performance and annually report
607 the evaluation results of instructional personnel and school
608 administrators to the Department of Education in addition to the
609 information required under subsection (5).
610 (b) The district school superintendent must submit the
611 district instructional personnel and school administrator
612 evaluation systems to the department whenever the evaluation
613 systems in subsection (2) are amended department must approve
614 each school district’s instructional personnel and school
615 administrator evaluation systems. The department shall monitor
616 each district’s implementation of its instructional personnel
617 and school administrator evaluation systems for compliance with
618 the requirements of this section.
619 (3) EVALUATION PROCEDURES AND CRITERIA.—Instructional
620 personnel and school administrator performance evaluations must
621 be based upon the performance of students assigned to their
622 classrooms or schools, as provided in this section. Pursuant to
623 this section, a school district’s performance evaluation system
624 is not limited to basing unsatisfactory performance of
625 instructional personnel and school administrators solely upon
626 student performance, but may include other criteria to evaluate
627 instructional personnel and school administrators’ performance,
628 or any combination of student performance and other criteria.
629 Evaluation procedures and criteria must comply with, but are not
630 limited to, the following:
631 (a) A performance evaluation must be conducted for each
632 employee at least once a year, except that a classroom teacher,
633 as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a), excluding substitute teachers,
634 who is newly hired by the district school board must be observed
635 and evaluated at least twice in the first year of teaching in
636 the school district. The performance evaluation must be based
637 upon sound educational principles and contemporary research in
638 effective educational practices. The evaluation criteria must
639 include:
640 1. Performance of students.—At least one-half one-third of
641 a performance evaluation must be based upon data and indicators
642 of student performance, as determined by each school district.
643 This portion of the evaluation must include growth or
644 achievement data of the teacher’s students or, for a school
645 administrator, the students attending the school over the course
646 of at least 3 years. If less than 3 years of data are available,
647 the years for which data are available must be used. The
648 proportion of growth or achievement data may be determined by
649 instructional assignment.
650 2. Instructional practice.—For instructional personnel, at
651 least one-third of the performance evaluation must be based upon
652 instructional practice. Evaluation criteria used when annually
653 observing classroom teachers, as defined in s. 1012.01(2)(a),
654 excluding substitute teachers, must include indicators based
655 upon each of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices adopted
656 by the State Board of Education. For instructional personnel who
657 are not classroom teachers, evaluation criteria must be based
658 upon indicators of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
659 and may include specific job expectations related to student
660 support. This section does not preclude a school administrator
661 from visiting and observing classroom teachers throughout the
662 school year for purposes of providing mentorship, training,
663 instructional feedback, or professional learning.
664 3. Instructional leadership.—For school administrators, at
665 least one-third of the performance evaluation must be based on
666 instructional leadership. Evaluation criteria for instructional
667 leadership must include indicators based upon each of the
668 leadership standards adopted by the State Board of Education
669 under s. 1012.986, including performance measures related to the
670 effectiveness of classroom teachers in the school, the
671 administrator’s appropriate use of evaluation criteria and
672 procedures, recruitment and retention of effective and highly
673 effective classroom teachers, improvement in the percentage of
674 instructional personnel evaluated at the highly effective or
675 effective level, and other leadership practices that result in
676 student learning growth. The system may include a means to give
677 parents and instructional personnel an opportunity to provide
678 input into the administrator’s performance evaluation.
679 4. Other indicators of performance.—For instructional
680 personnel and school administrators, the remainder of a
681 performance evaluation may include, but is not limited to,
682 professional and job responsibilities as recommended by the
683 State Board of Education or identified by the district school
684 board and, for instructional personnel, peer reviews,
685 objectively reliable survey information from students and
686 parents based on teaching practices that are consistently
687 associated with higher student achievement, and other valid and
688 reliable measures of instructional practice.
689 (7) MEASUREMENT OF STUDENT PERFORMANCE.—
690 (c) The measurement of student learning growth under
691 paragraph (a) may not be the sole determinant for any incentive
692 pay for instructional personnel or school administrators.
693 Section 11. Paragraph (c) of subsection (1) of section
694 1012.39, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
695 1012.39 Employment of substitute teachers, teachers of
696 adult education, nondegreed teachers of career education, and
697 career specialists; students performing clinical field
698 experience.—
699 (1) Notwithstanding ss. 1012.32, 1012.55, 1012.56, and
700 1012.57, or any other provision of law or rule to the contrary,
701 each district school board shall establish the minimal
702 qualifications for:
703 (c) Part-time and full-time nondegreed teachers of career
704 programs. Qualifications must be established for nondegreed
705 teachers of career and technical education courses for program
706 clusters that are recognized in the state and are based
707 primarily on successful occupational experience rather than
708 academic training. The qualifications for such teachers must
709 require:
710 1. The filing of a complete set of fingerprints in the same
711 manner as required by s. 1012.32. Faculty employed solely to
712 conduct postsecondary instruction may be exempted from this
713 requirement.
714 2. Documentation of education and successful occupational
715 experience including documentation of:
716 a. A high school diploma or the equivalent.
717 b. Completion of a minimum level, established by the
718 district school board, 3 years of full-time successful
719 occupational experience or the equivalent of part-time
720 experience in the teaching specialization area. The district
721 school board may establish alternative qualifications for
722 teachers with an industry certification in the career area in
723 which they teach.
724 c. For full-time teachers, completion of professional
725 education training in teaching methods, course construction,
726 lesson planning and evaluation, and teaching special needs
727 students. This training may be completed through coursework from
728 an accredited or approved institution or an approved district
729 teacher education program, or the local school district
730 inservice master plan.
731 d. Documentation of industry certification when state or
732 national industry certifications are available and applicable.
733 Section 12. Subsections (1) and (3) of section 1012.45,
734 Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
735 1012.45 School bus drivers; requirements and duties.—
736 (1) Each school bus driver must be of good moral character,
737 of good vision and hearing, able-bodied, free from communicable
738 disease, mentally alert, and sufficiently strong physically to
739 handle the bus with ease, and must meet he or she must possess
740 other qualifications prescribed by the Commissioner of
741 Education, including those qualifications described in 49 C.F.R.
742 s. 391, relating to physical qualifications and examinations,
743 and 49 C.F.R. part 40 and part 382, relating to controlled
744 substance and alcohol use and testing, and he or she must hold a
745 valid commercial driver license with a passenger endorsement.
746 (3) Each district school board shall require that school
747 bus drivers and school bus attendants complete a certified
748 cardiopulmonary resuscitation course and first aid training
749 before being employed as a school bus driver or a school bus
750 attendant. The school district shall maintain documentation of
751 the completion of the cardiopulmonary resuscitation course and
752 first aid training. Each district school board must also provide
753 training to school bus drivers and school bus attendants for
754 students with disabilities under s. 1003.57. Each district
755 school board may adopt additional The State Board of Education
756 shall adopt rules outlining requirements that school bus drivers
757 must meet to be before they are employed by district school
758 boards.
759 Section 13. Subsection (2) and paragraph (a) of subsection
760 (3) of section 1012.555, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
761 1012.555 Teacher Apprenticeship Program.—
762 (2)(a) An individual must meet the following minimum
763 eligibility requirements to participate in the apprenticeship
764 program:
765 1. Be enrolled in or have completed Have received an
766 associate degree program at from an accredited postsecondary
767 institution.
768 2. Have earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 3.0
769 in that degree program.
770 3. Have successfully passed a background screening as
771 provided in s. 1012.32.
772 4. Have received a temporary apprenticeship certificate as
773 provided in s. 1012.56(7)(d).
774 (b) As a condition of participating in the program, an
775 apprentice teacher must commit to spending at least the first 2
776 years in the classroom of a mentor teacher using team teaching
777 strategies identified in s. 1003.03(5)(b) and fulfilling the on
778 the-job training component of the registered apprenticeship and
779 its associated standards.
780 (c) An apprentice teacher must do both of the following:
781 1. Complete at least 2 years in an apprenticeship before
782 being eligible to apply for a professional certificate
783 established in s. 1012.56(7)(a). Completion of the Teacher
784 Apprenticeship Program does not exempt an apprentice teacher
785 from the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(c).
786 2. Receive related instruction as provided in s. 446.051.
787 (d) An apprentice teacher must be appointed by the district
788 school board as an education paraprofessional and must be paid
789 in accordance with s. 446.032 and rules adopted by the State
790 Board of Education.
791 (e) An apprentice teacher may change schools or districts
792 after the first year of his or her apprenticeship if the hiring
793 school or district has agreed to fund the remaining year of the
794 apprenticeship.
795 (3) A teacher who serves as a mentor in the apprenticeship
796 program shall mentor his or her apprentice teacher using team
797 teaching strategies and must, at a minimum, meet all of the
798 following requirements:
799 (a) Have at least 5 7 years of teaching experience in this
800 state.
801 Section 14. Subsections (3) and (7) and paragraph (a) of
802 subsection (8) of section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are amended
803 to read:
804 1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
805 (3) MASTERY OF GENERAL KNOWLEDGE.—Acceptable means of
806 demonstrating mastery of general knowledge are:
807 (a) Achievement of passing scores on the general knowledge
808 examination required by state board rule;
809 (b) Documentation of a valid professional standard teaching
810 certificate issued by another state;
811 (c) Documentation of a valid certificate issued by the
812 National Board for Professional Teaching Standards or a national
813 educator credentialing board approved by the State Board of
814 Education;
815 (d) Documentation of two semesters of successful, full-time
816 or part-time teaching in a Florida College System institution,
817 state university, or private college or university that awards
818 an associate or higher degree and is an accredited institution
819 or an institution of higher education identified by the
820 Department of Education as having a quality program;
821 (e) Achievement of passing scores, identified in state
822 board rule, on national or international examinations that test
823 comparable content and relevant standards in verbal, analytical
824 writing, and quantitative reasoning skills, including, but not
825 limited to, the verbal, analytical writing, and quantitative
826 reasoning portions of the Graduate Record Examination. Passing
827 scores identified in state board rule must be at approximately
828 the same level of rigor as is required to pass the general
829 knowledge examinations; or
830 (f) Documentation of receipt of a master’s or higher degree
831 from an accredited postsecondary educational institution that
832 the Department of Education has identified as having a quality
833 program resulting in a baccalaureate degree or higher; or
834 (g) Documentation of a rating of effective or highly
835 effective under s. 1012.34 in each year of the validity period
836 of the temporary certificate.
837
838 A school district that employs an individual who does not
839 achieve passing scores on any subtest of the general knowledge
840 examination must provide information regarding the availability
841 of state-level and district-level supports and instruction to
842 assist him or her in achieving a passing score. Such information
843 must include, but need not be limited to, state-level test
844 information guides, school district test preparation resources,
845 and preparation courses offered by state universities and
846 Florida College System institutions. The requirement of mastery
847 of general knowledge shall be waived for an individual who has
848 been provided 3 years of supports and instruction and who has
849 been rated effective or highly effective under s. 1012.34 for
850 each of the last 3 years.
851 (7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION.—
852 (a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional
853 certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant
854 who fulfills one of the following:
855 1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in
856 subsection (2).
857 2. For a professional certificate covering grades 6 through
858 12:
859 a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
860 (h).
861 b. Holds a master’s or higher degree in the area of
862 science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
863 c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the
864 advanced degree.
865 d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the teacher’s
866 performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part on
867 student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized
868 assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International
869 Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate
870 examination.
871 e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional
872 education competency examination required by state board rule.
873 3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)
874 (h) and completes a professional learning certification program
875 approved by the department pursuant to paragraph (8)(b) or an
876 educator preparation institute approved by the department
877 pursuant to s. 1004.85. An applicant who completes one of these
878 programs and is rated highly effective as determined by his or
879 her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 is not required to
880 take or achieve a passing score on the professional education
881 competency examination in order to be awarded a professional
882 certificate.
883 (b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to
884 any applicant who:
885 1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs
886 (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area content requirements
887 specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
888 area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and holds an
889 accredited degree or a degree approved by the Department of
890 Education at the level required for the subject area
891 specialization in state board rule;
892 2. For a subject area specialization for which the state
893 board otherwise requires a bachelor’s degree, documents 48
894 months of active-duty military service with an honorable
895 discharge or a medical separation; completes the requirements
896 outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(f); completes the
897 subject area content requirements specified in state board rule
898 or demonstrates mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to
899 subsection (5); and documents completion of 60 college credits
900 with a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0
901 scale, as provided by one or more accredited institutions of
902 higher learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher
903 learning identified by the Department of Education as having a
904 quality program resulting in a bachelor’s degree or higher; or
905 3. Is enrolled in a state-approved teacher preparation
906 program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required
907 program field experience or internship at a public school;
908 completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b),
909 and (d)-(f); completes the subject area content requirements
910 specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
911 area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents
912 completion of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade
913 point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more
914 accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited
915 institution of higher learning identified by the Department of
916 Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor’s
917 degree or higher.
918 (c) The department shall issue one nonrenewable 2-year
919 temporary certificate and one nonrenewable 5-year professional
920 certificate to a qualified applicant who holds a bachelor’s
921 degree in the area of speech-language impairment to allow for
922 completion of a master’s degree program in speech-language
923 impairment.
924 (d) The department shall issue a temporary apprenticeship
925 certificate to any applicant who:
926 1. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and
927 (d)-(f).
928 2. Completes the subject area content requirements
929 specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject
930 area knowledge as provided in subsection (5).
931 (e) A person who is issued a temporary certificate under
932 paragraph (b) must be assigned a teacher mentor for a minimum of
933 2 school years after commencing employment. Each teacher mentor
934 selected by the school district, charter school, or charter
935 management organization must:
936 1. Hold a valid professional certificate issued pursuant to
937 this section;
938 2. Have earned at least 3 years of teaching experience in
939 prekindergarten through grade 12; and
940 3. Have earned an effective or highly effective rating on
941 the prior year’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34.
942 (f)1. A temporary certificate is valid for 5 school fiscal
943 years, is limited to a one-time issuance, and is nonrenewable.
944 2. A temporary apprenticeship certificate issued under
945 paragraph (d) is valid for 5 school years, may be issued only
946 once, and is nonrenewable.
947 (g) A school district or a consortium of school districts
948 may issue temporary certificates based on the requirements in
949 paragraph (b). School districts or a consortium of school
950 districts must report the number of such certificates issued,
951 and any additional information to the department, based on
952 reporting requirements adopted by the State Board of Education.
953
954 At least 1 year before an individual’s department-issued
955 temporary certificate is set to expire, the department shall
956 electronically notify the individual of the date on which his or
957 her certificate will expire and provide a list of each method by
958 which the qualifications for a professional certificate can be
959 completed.
960 (8) PROFESSIONAL LEARNING CERTIFICATION PROGRAM.—
961 (a) The Department of Education shall develop and each
962 school district, charter school, and charter management
963 organization may provide a cohesive competency-based
964 professional learning certification program by which
965 instructional staff may satisfy the mastery of professional
966 preparation and education competence requirements specified in
967 subsection (6) and rules of the State Board of Education.
968 Participants must hold a state-issued temporary certificate. A
969 school district, charter school, or charter management
970 organization that implements the program shall provide a
971 competency-based certification program developed by the
972 Department of Education or developed by the district, charter
973 school, or charter management organization and approved by the
974 Department of Education. These entities may collaborate with
975 other supporting agencies or educational entities for
976 implementation. The program shall include the following:
977 1. A teacher mentorship and induction component.
978 a. Each individual selected by the district, charter
979 school, or charter management organization as a mentor:
980 (I) Must hold a valid professional certificate issued
981 pursuant to this section;
982 (II) Must have earned at least 3 years of teaching
983 experience in prekindergarten through grade 12;
984 (III) Must have completed training in clinical supervision
985 and participate in ongoing mentor training provided through the
986 coordinated system of professional learning under s. 1012.98(4);
987 (IV) Must have earned an effective or highly effective
988 rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation; and
989 (V) May be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation
990 system approved under s. 1012.34.
991 b. The teacher mentorship and induction component must, at
992 a minimum, provide routine opportunities for mentoring and
993 induction activities, including ongoing professional learning as
994 described in s. 1012.98 targeted to a teacher’s needs,
995 opportunities for a teacher to observe other teachers, co
996 teaching experiences, and reflection and follow-up followup
997 discussions. Professional learning must meet the criteria
998 established in s. 1012.98(3). Mentorship and induction
999 activities must be provided for an applicant’s first year in the
1000 program and may be provided until the applicant attains his or
1001 her professional certificate in accordance with this section.
1002 2. An assessment of teaching performance aligned to the
1003 district’s, charter school’s, or charter management
1004 organization’s system for personnel evaluation under s. 1012.34
1005 which provides for:
1006 a. An initial evaluation of each educator’s competencies to
1007 determine an appropriate individualized professional learning
1008 plan.
1009 b. A summative evaluation to assure successful completion
1010 of the program.
1011 3. Professional education preparation content knowledge,
1012 which must be included in the mentoring and induction activities
1013 under subparagraph 1., that includes, but is not limited to, the
1014 following:
1015 a. The state academic standards provided under s. 1003.41,
1016 including scientifically researched and evidence-based reading
1017 instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading,
1018 content literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject
1019 identified on the temporary certificate. Reading instructional
1020 strategies for foundational skills shall include phonics
1021 instruction for decoding and encoding as the primary
1022 instructional strategy for word reading. Instructional
1023 strategies may not employ the three-cueing system model of
1024 reading or visual memory as a basis for teaching word reading.
1025 Instructional strategies may include visual information and
1026 strategies which improve background and experiential knowledge,
1027 add context, and increase oral language and vocabulary to
1028 support comprehension, but may not be used to teach word
1029 reading.
1030 b. The educator-accomplished practices approved by the
1031 state board.
1032 4. Required achievement of passing scores on the subject
1033 area and professional education competency examination required
1034 by State Board of Education rule. Mastery of general knowledge
1035 must be demonstrated as described in subsection (3).
1036 5. Beginning with candidates entering a program in the
1037 2022-2023 school year, a candidate for certification in a
1038 coverage area identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(g) s.
1039 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all competencies for a
1040 reading endorsement, including completion of the endorsement
1041 practicum.
1042 Section 15. Subsection (4) of section 1012.57, Florida
1043 Statutes, is amended to read:
1044 1012.57 Certification of adjunct educators.—
1045 (4) Each adjunct teaching certificate is valid through the
1046 term of the annual contract between the educator and the school
1047 district or charter school. An additional annual certification
1048 and an additional annual contract may be awarded by the district
1049 or charter school at the district’s or charter school’s
1050 discretion but only if the applicant is rated effective or
1051 highly effective under s. 1012.34 during each year of teaching
1052 under adjunct teaching certification. A school district and
1053 charter school may issue an adjunct teaching certificate for a
1054 part-time or full-time teaching position; however, an adjunct
1055 teaching certificate issued for a full-time teaching position is
1056 valid for no more than 5 years and is nonrenewable.
1057 Section 16. Section 1012.575, Florida Statutes, is amended
1058 to read:
1059 1012.575 Alternative preparation programs for certified
1060 teachers to add additional coverage.—A district school board, or
1061 an organization of private schools, or a consortium of charter
1062 schools with an approved professional learning system as
1063 described in s. 1012.98(7), or the Florida Institute for Charter
1064 School Innovation may design alternative teacher preparation
1065 programs to enable persons already certificated to add an
1066 additional coverage to their certificates. Each alternative
1067 teacher preparation program shall be reviewed and approved by
1068 the Department of Education to ensure assure that persons who
1069 complete the program are competent in the necessary areas of
1070 subject matter specialization. Two or more school districts may
1071 jointly participate in an alternative preparation program for
1072 teachers.
1073 Section 17. Subsections (2), (3), and (4) and paragraph (b)
1074 of subsection (5) of section 1012.585, Florida Statutes, are
1075 amended to read:
1076 1012.585 Process for renewal of professional certificates.—
1077 (2)(a) All professional certificates, except a nonrenewable
1078 professional certificate, are shall be renewable for successive
1079 periods not to exceed 10 5 years after the date of submission of
1080 documentation of completion of the requirements for renewal
1081 provided in subsection (3). Only one renewal may be granted
1082 during each 5-year or 10-year validity period of a professional
1083 certificate.
1084 1. An applicant who is rated highly effective, pursuant to
1085 s. 1012.34, in at least 4 years of the 5-year validity period of
1086 his or her professional certificate is eligible for a
1087 professional certificate valid for 10 years. An applicant must
1088 be issued at least one 5-year professional certificate to be
1089 eligible for a 10-year professional certificate. An applicant
1090 who does not meet the requirement of this subparagraph is
1091 eligible only to renew his or her 5-year professional
1092 certificate.
1093 2. An applicant who is rated effective or highly effective,
1094 pursuant to s. 1012.34, for the entirety of the 10-year validity
1095 period of his or her professional certificate is eligible to
1096 renew a professional certificate valid for 10 years. An
1097 applicant issued a 10-year professional certificate who does not
1098 meet the requirement of this subparagraph is eligible only for
1099 renewal of a professional certificate valid for 5 years.
1100 (b) A teacher with national certification from the National
1101 Board for Professional Teaching Standards is deemed to meet
1102 state renewal requirements for the life of the teacher’s
1103 national certificate in the subject shown on the national
1104 certificate. A complete renewal application and fee shall be
1105 submitted. The Commissioner of Education shall notify teachers
1106 of the renewal application and fee requirements.
1107 (c) If the renewal application form is not received by the
1108 department or by the employing school district before the
1109 expiration of the professional certificate, the application
1110 form, application fee, and a late fee must be submitted before
1111 July 1 of the year following expiration of the certificate in
1112 order to renew the professional certificate.
1113 (d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow
1114 a 1-year extension of the validity period of a professional
1115 certificate in the event of serious illness, injury, or other
1116 extraordinary extenuating circumstances of the applicant. The
1117 department shall grant such 1-year extension upon written
1118 request by the applicant or by the district school
1119 superintendent or the governing authority of a university lab
1120 school, state-supported school, or private school that employs
1121 the applicant.
1122 (e) The State Board of Education must adopt rules that
1123 provide a process for transition from a 5-year to a 10-year
1124 professional certificate or for renewal of a 10-year
1125 professional certificate if student performance results are not
1126 available to complete a performance evaluation in time to apply
1127 for or renew the 10-year professional certificate. Such rules
1128 must authorize a school district or the department, as
1129 applicable, to provide an extension to the validity period of
1130 the professional certificate or to convert a 5-year to a 10-year
1131 professional certificate once an evaluation is completed.
1132 (3) For the renewal of a professional certificate, the
1133 following requirements must be met:
1134 (a) The applicant must:
1135 1. Earn a minimum of 6 college credits or 120 inservice
1136 points or a combination thereof for a certificate valid for 5
1137 years. The district school board may reduce the requirements by
1138 1 college credit or 20 inservice points for an applicant rated
1139 highly effective, pursuant to s. 1012.34, in at least 3 of the 5
1140 years of the 5-year validity period of his or her initial
1141 professional certificate.
1142 2. Earn a minimum of 9 college credits or 180 inservice
1143 points or a combination thereof for a professional certificate
1144 valid for 10 years. A minimum of 6 college credits or 90
1145 inservice points or a combination thereof must be earned within
1146 the first 5 years of a professional certificate valid for 10
1147 years.
1148 (b) For each area of specialization to be retained on a
1149 certificate, the applicant must earn at least 3 of the required
1150 credit hours or equivalent inservice points in the
1151 specialization area. Education in “clinical educator” training
1152 pursuant to s. 1004.04(5)(b); participation in mentorship and
1153 induction activities, including as a mentor, pursuant to s.
1154 1012.56(8)(a); and credits or points that provide training in
1155 the area of scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading
1156 literacy grounded in the science of reading, including explicit,
1157 systematic, and sequential approaches to reading instruction,
1158 developing phonemic awareness, and implementing multisensory
1159 intervention strategies, and computational skills acquisition,
1160 exceptional student education, normal child development, and the
1161 disorders of development may be applied toward any
1162 specialization area. Credits or points that provide training in
1163 the areas of drug abuse, child abuse and neglect, strategies in
1164 teaching students having limited proficiency in English, or
1165 dropout prevention, or training in areas identified in the
1166 educational goals and performance standards adopted pursuant to
1167 ss. 1000.03(5) and 1008.345 may be applied toward any
1168 specialization area, except specialization areas identified by
1169 State Board of Education rule that include reading instruction
1170 or intervention for any students in kindergarten through grade
1171 6. Each district school board shall include in its inservice
1172 master plan the ability for teachers to receive inservice points
1173 for supporting students in extracurricular career and technical
1174 education activities, such as career and technical student
1175 organization activities outside of regular school hours and
1176 training related to supervising students participating in a
1177 career and technical student organization. Credits or points
1178 earned through approved summer institutes may be applied toward
1179 the fulfillment of these requirements. Inservice points may also
1180 be earned by participation in professional growth components
1181 approved by the State Board of Education and specified pursuant
1182 to s. 1012.98 in the district’s approved master plan for
1183 inservice educational training; however, such points may not be
1184 used to satisfy the specialization requirements of this
1185 paragraph.
1186 (c)(b) In lieu of college course credit or inservice
1187 points, the applicant may renew a subject area specialization by
1188 passage of a state board approved Florida-developed subject area
1189 examination or, if a Florida subject area examination has not
1190 been developed, a standardized examination specified in state
1191 board rule.
1192 (d)(c) If an applicant wishes to retain more than two
1193 specialization areas on the certificate, the applicant must
1194 shall be permitted two successive validity periods for renewal
1195 of all specialization areas, but must earn no fewer than 6
1196 college course credit hours or the equivalent inservice points
1197 in any one validity period. If an applicant with an initial
1198 professional certificate qualifies for reduced requirements
1199 under paragraph (a), he or she must earn no fewer than 5 college
1200 course credit hours or 100 inservice points in any one validity
1201 period.
1202 (e)(d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for
1203 the expanded use of training for renewal of the professional
1204 certificate for educators who are required to complete training
1205 in teaching students of limited English proficiency or students
1206 with disabilities and training in the teaching of reading as
1207 follows:
1208 1. A teacher who holds a professional certificate may use
1209 college credits or inservice points earned through training in
1210 teaching students of limited English proficiency or students
1211 with disabilities and training in the teaching of reading in
1212 excess of 6 semester hours during one certificate-validity
1213 period toward renewal of the professional certificate during the
1214 subsequent validity periods.
1215 2. A teacher who holds a temporary certificate may use
1216 college credits or inservice points earned through training in
1217 teaching students of limited English proficiency or students
1218 with disabilities and training in the teaching of reading toward
1219 renewal of the teacher’s first professional certificate. Such
1220 training must not have been included within the degree program,
1221 and the teacher’s temporary and professional certificates must
1222 be issued for consecutive school years.
1223 (f)(e) Beginning July 1, 2014, an applicant for renewal of
1224 a professional certificate must earn a minimum of one college
1225 credit or the equivalent inservice points in the area of
1226 instruction for teaching students with disabilities. The
1227 requirement in this paragraph may not add to the total hours
1228 required by the department for continuing education or inservice
1229 training.
1230 (g)(f) An applicant for renewal of a professional
1231 certificate in any area of certification identified by State
1232 Board of Education rule that includes reading instruction or
1233 intervention for any students in kindergarten through grade 6,
1234 with a beginning validity date of July 1, 2020, or thereafter,
1235 must earn a minimum of 2 college credits or the equivalent
1236 inservice points in evidence-based instruction and interventions
1237 grounded in the science of reading specifically designed for
1238 students with characteristics of dyslexia, including the use of
1239 explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to reading
1240 instruction, developing phonological and phonemic awareness,
1241 decoding, and implementing multisensory intervention strategies.
1242 Such training must be provided by teacher preparation programs
1243 under s. 1004.04 or s. 1004.85 or approved school district
1244 professional development systems under s. 1012.98. The
1245 requirements in this paragraph may not add to the total hours
1246 required by the department for continuing education or inservice
1247 training.
1248 (h)(g) An applicant for renewal of a professional
1249 certificate in educational leadership from a Level I program
1250 under s. 1012.562(2) or Level II program under s. 1012.562(3),
1251 with a beginning validity date of July 1, 2025, or thereafter,
1252 must earn a minimum of 1 college credit or 20 inservice points
1253 in Florida’s educational leadership standards, as established in
1254 rule by the State Board of Education. The requirement in this
1255 paragraph may not add to the total hours required by the
1256 department for continuing education or inservice training.
1257 (i)(h) A teacher may earn inservice points only once during
1258 each 5-year validity period for any mandatory training topic
1259 that is not linked to student learning or professional growth.
1260 (4)(a) When any person who holds a valid temporary
1261 certificate or professional certificate is called into or
1262 volunteers for actual wartime service or required peacetime
1263 military service training, the certificate shall be renewed for
1264 a period of time equal to the time spent in military service if
1265 the person makes proper application and presents substantiating
1266 evidence to the department or the employing school district
1267 regarding such military service.
1268 (b) A teacher who has taught in a private school during the
1269 5-year validity period of his or her professional certificate
1270 and is subsequently reemployed to teach in a school district may
1271 extend the expiration date of the certificate for a duration
1272 equivalent to the number of years taught at a private school, up
1273 to a maximum of 3 years. This extension is granted in order for
1274 the teacher to submit documentation for his or her completion of
1275 the requirements outlined in subsection (3). The teacher must
1276 submit documentation of employment in a school district or in a
1277 private school in a format determined by the department.
1278 (5) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to allow
1279 the reinstatement of expired professional certificates. The
1280 department may reinstate an expired professional certificate if
1281 the certificateholder:
1282 (b) Documents completion of 6 college credits during the 5
1283 years immediately preceding reinstatement of the expired
1284 certificate, completion of 120 inservice points, or a
1285 combination thereof, in an area specified in paragraph (3)(b)
1286 (3)(a) to include the credit required under paragraph (3)(f)
1287 (3)(e).
1288
1289 The requirements of this subsection may not be satisfied by
1290 subject area examinations or college credits completed for
1291 issuance of the certificate that has expired.
1292 Section 18. Subsection (4) is added to section 1012.59,
1293 Florida Statutes, to read:
1294 1012.59 Certification fees.—
1295 (4) The State Board of Education shall waive initial
1296 subject area examination fees and certification fees for a
1297 teacher who holds a temporary or professional certificate in:
1298 (a) Exceptional Student Education K–12 and who applies to
1299 add a subject coverage in Elementary Education K–6.
1300 (b) Elementary Education K–6 and who applies to add a
1301 subject coverage in Exceptional Student Education K–12.
1302 Section 19. No later than December 1, 2024, the
1303 Commissioner of Education shall make recommendations to the
1304 Governor and Legislature on policy and funding changes to
1305 enhance the development and retention of exceptional student
1306 education instructional personnel. In developing the
1307 recommendations, the commissioner shall consider, but is not
1308 limited to, all of the following:
1309 (1) Alternative certification in place of the Elementary
1310 Education K-6 certificate as an add-on for personnel certified
1311 in exceptional student education.
1312 (2) Financial incentives, including stipends for teacher
1313 education students, loan forgiveness, and instructional
1314 personnel salary adjustments and supplements.
1315 (3) Strategies to encourage high school students to
1316 consider exceptional student education, including through
1317 preapprenticeships and dual enrollment.
1318 (4) Funding under the Florida Education Finance Program to
1319 support school district exceptional student education personnel
1320 and programs.
1321 (5) Innovative staffing, including teacher mentoring and
1322 supports for certified personnel responsibilities for case
1323 management and for instruction.
1324 Section 20. Section 1012.72, Florida Statutes, is repealed.
1325 Section 21. Paragraph (b) of subsection (5) and subsection
1326 (7) of section 1012.98, Florida Statutes, are amended to read:
1327 1012.98 School Community Professional Learning Act.—
1328 (5) The Department of Education, school districts, schools,
1329 Florida College System institutions, and state universities
1330 share the responsibilities described in this section. These
1331 responsibilities include the following:
1332 (b) Each school district shall develop a professional
1333 learning system as specified in subsection (4). The system shall
1334 be developed in consultation with teachers, teacher-educators of
1335 Florida College System institutions and state universities,
1336 business and community representatives, and local education
1337 foundations, consortia, and professional organizations. The
1338 professional learning system must:
1339 1. Be reviewed and approved by the department for
1340 compliance with s. 1003.42(3) and this section. Effective March
1341 1, 2024, the department shall establish a calendar for the
1342 review and approval of all professional learning systems. A
1343 professional learning system must be reviewed and approved every
1344 5 years. Any substantial revisions to the system must shall be
1345 submitted to the department for review and approval. The
1346 department shall establish a format for the review and approval
1347 of a professional learning system.
1348 2. Be based on analyses of student achievement data and
1349 instructional strategies and methods that support rigorous,
1350 relevant, and challenging curricula for all students. Schools
1351 and districts, in developing and refining the professional
1352 learning system, shall also review and monitor school discipline
1353 data; school environment surveys; assessments of parental
1354 satisfaction; performance appraisal data of teachers, managers,
1355 and administrative personnel; and other performance indicators
1356 to identify school and student needs that can be met by improved
1357 professional performance.
1358 3. Provide inservice activities coupled with follow-up
1359 followup support appropriate to accomplish district-level and
1360 school-level improvement goals and standards. The inservice
1361 activities for instructional and school administrative personnel
1362 shall focus on analysis of student achievement data, ongoing
1363 formal and informal assessments of student achievement,
1364 identification and use of enhanced and differentiated
1365 instructional strategies that emphasize rigor, relevance, and
1366 reading in the content areas, enhancement of subject content
1367 expertise, integrated use of classroom technology that enhances
1368 teaching and learning, classroom management, parent involvement,
1369 and school safety.
1370 4. Provide inservice activities and support targeted to the
1371 individual needs of new teachers participating in the
1372 professional learning certification and education competency
1373 program under s. 1012.56(8)(a).
1374 5. Include a professional learning catalog for inservice
1375 activities, pursuant to rules of the State Board of Education,
1376 for all district employees from all fund sources. The catalog
1377 must shall be updated annually by September 1, must be based on
1378 input from teachers and district and school instructional
1379 leaders, and must use the latest available student achievement
1380 data and research to enhance rigor and relevance in the
1381 classroom. Each district inservice catalog must be aligned to
1382 and support the school-based inservice catalog and school
1383 improvement plans pursuant to s. 1001.42(18). Each district
1384 inservice catalog must provide a description of the training
1385 that middle grades instructional personnel and school
1386 administrators receive on the district’s code of student conduct
1387 adopted pursuant to s. 1006.07; integrated digital instruction
1388 and competency-based instruction and CAPE Digital Tool
1389 certificates and CAPE industry certifications; classroom
1390 management; student behavior and interaction; extended learning
1391 opportunities for students; and instructional leadership.
1392 District plans must be approved by the district school board
1393 annually in order to ensure compliance with subsection (1) and
1394 to allow for dissemination of research-based best practices to
1395 other districts. District school boards shall must submit
1396 verification of their approval to the Commissioner of Education
1397 no later than October 1, annually. Each school principal may
1398 establish and maintain an individual professional learning plan
1399 for each instructional employee assigned to the school as a
1400 seamless component to the school improvement plans developed
1401 pursuant to s. 1001.42(18). An individual professional learning
1402 plan must be related to specific performance data for the
1403 students to whom the teacher is assigned, define the inservice
1404 objectives and specific measurable improvements expected in
1405 student performance as a result of the inservice activity, and
1406 include an evaluation component that determines the
1407 effectiveness of the professional learning plan.
1408 6. Include inservice activities for school administrative
1409 personnel, aligned to the state’s educational leadership
1410 standards, which that address updated skills necessary for
1411 instructional leadership and effective school management
1412 pursuant to s. 1012.986.
1413 7. Provide for systematic consultation with regional and
1414 state personnel designated to provide technical assistance and
1415 evaluation of local professional learning programs.
1416 8. Provide for delivery of professional learning by
1417 distance learning and other technology-based delivery systems to
1418 reach more educators at lower costs.
1419 9. Provide for the continuous evaluation of the quality and
1420 effectiveness of professional learning programs in order to
1421 eliminate ineffective programs and strategies and to expand
1422 effective ones. Evaluations must consider the impact of such
1423 activities on the performance of participating educators and
1424 their students’ achievement and behavior.
1425 10. For all grades, emphasize:
1426 a. Interdisciplinary planning, collaboration, and
1427 instruction.
1428 b. Alignment of curriculum and instructional materials to
1429 the state academic standards adopted pursuant to s. 1003.41.
1430 c. Use of small learning communities; problem-solving,
1431 inquiry-driven research and analytical approaches for students;
1432 strategies and tools based on student needs; competency-based
1433 instruction; integrated digital instruction; and project-based
1434 instruction.
1435
1436 Each school that includes any of grades 6, 7, or 8 shall must
1437 include in its school improvement plan, required under s.
1438 1001.42(18), a description of the specific strategies used by
1439 the school to implement each item listed in this subparagraph.
1440 11. Provide training to reading coaches, classroom
1441 teachers, and school administrators in effective methods of
1442 identifying characteristics of conditions such as dyslexia and
1443 other causes of diminished phonological processing skills;
1444 incorporating instructional techniques into the general
1445 education setting which are proven to improve reading
1446 performance for all students; and using predictive and other
1447 data to make instructional decisions based on individual student
1448 needs. The training must help teachers integrate phonemic
1449 awareness; phonics, word study, and spelling; reading fluency;
1450 vocabulary, including academic vocabulary; and text
1451 comprehension strategies into an explicit, systematic, and
1452 sequential approach to reading instruction, including
1453 multisensory intervention strategies. Such training for teaching
1454 foundational skills must shall be based on the science of
1455 reading and include phonics instruction for decoding and
1456 encoding as the primary instructional strategy for word reading.
1457 Instructional strategies included in the training may not employ
1458 the three-cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a
1459 basis for teaching word reading. Such instructional strategies
1460 may include visual information and strategies which improve
1461 background and experiential knowledge, add context, and increase
1462 oral language and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may
1463 not be used to teach word reading. Each district must provide
1464 all elementary grades instructional personnel access to training
1465 sufficient to meet the requirements of s. 1012.585(3)(g) s.
1466 1012.585(3)(f).
1467 (7) An organization of private schools or consortium of
1468 charter schools which has no fewer than 10 member schools in
1469 this state, which publishes and files with the Department of
1470 Education copies of its standards, and the member schools of
1471 which comply with the provisions of part II of chapter 1003,
1472 relating to compulsory school attendance;, or a public or
1473 private college or university with a teacher preparation program
1474 approved pursuant to s. 1004.04; or the Florida Institute for
1475 Charter School Innovation, may also develop a professional
1476 learning system that includes a professional learning catalog
1477 for inservice activities. The system and inservice catalog must
1478 be submitted to the commissioner for approval pursuant to state
1479 board rules.
1480 Section 22. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2) and paragraph
1481 (b) of subsection (5) of section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, are
1482 amended to read:
1483 1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
1484 teacher preparation programs.—
1485 (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
1486 (c) Each candidate must receive instruction and be assessed
1487 on the uniform core curricula in the candidate’s area or areas
1488 of program concentration during course work and field
1489 experiences. Beginning with candidates entering a teacher
1490 preparation program in the 2022-2023 school year, a candidate
1491 for certification in a coverage area identified pursuant to s.
1492 1012.585(3)(g) s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all
1493 competencies for a reading endorsement, including completion of
1494 the endorsement practicum through the candidate’s field
1495 experience under subsection (5), in order to graduate from the
1496 program.
1497 (5) PRESERVICE FIELD EXPERIENCE.—All postsecondary
1498 instructors, school district personnel and instructional
1499 personnel, and school sites preparing instructional personnel
1500 through preservice field experience courses and internships
1501 shall meet special requirements. District school boards may pay
1502 student teachers during their internships.
1503 (b)1. All school district personnel and instructional
1504 personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students
1505 during field experience courses or internships taking place in
1506 this state in which candidates demonstrate an impact on student
1507 learning growth must have:
1508 a. Evidence of “clinical educator” training;
1509 b. A valid professional certificate issued pursuant to s.
1510 1012.56;
1511 c. At least 3 years of teaching experience in
1512 prekindergarten through grade 12;
1513 d. Earned an effective or highly effective rating on the
1514 prior year’s performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 or be a
1515 peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation system approved
1516 under s. 1012.34; and
1517 e. Beginning with the 2022-2023 school year, for all such
1518 personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students
1519 during internships in kindergarten through grade 3 or who are
1520 enrolled in a teacher preparation program for a certificate area
1521 identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(g) s. 1012.585(3)(f), a
1522 certificate or endorsement in reading.
1523
1524 The State Board of Education shall approve the training
1525 requirements.
1526 2. All instructional personnel who supervise or direct
1527 teacher preparation students during field experience courses or
1528 internships in another state, in which a candidate demonstrates
1529 his or her impact on student learning growth, through a Florida
1530 online or distance program must have received “clinical
1531 educator” training or its equivalent in that state, hold a valid
1532 professional certificate issued by the state in which the field
1533 experience takes place, and have at least 3 years of teaching
1534 experience in prekindergarten through grade 12.
1535 3. All instructional personnel who supervise or direct
1536 teacher preparation students during field experience courses or
1537 internships, in which a candidate demonstrates his or her impact
1538 on student learning growth, on a United States military base in
1539 another country through a Florida online or distance program
1540 must have received “clinical educator” training or its
1541 equivalent, hold a valid professional certificate issued by the
1542 United States Department of Defense or a state or territory of
1543 the United States, and have at least 3 years teaching experience
1544 in prekindergarten through grade 12.
1545 Section 23. Paragraph (b) of subsection (3) of section
1546 1004.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1547 1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
1548 (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
1549 this section may offer competency-based certification programs
1550 specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate
1551 degree holders to enable program participants to meet the
1552 educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator
1553 preparation institute choosing to offer a competency-based
1554 certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
1555 must implement a program developed by the institute and approved
1556 by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be
1557 available for use by other approved educator preparation
1558 institutes.
1559 (b) Each program participant must:
1560 1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.
1561 1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in
1562 the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet
1563 the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f).
1564 2. Demonstrate competency and participate in field
1565 experiences that are appropriate to his or her educational plan
1566 prepared under paragraph (a). Beginning with candidates entering
1567 an educator preparation institute in the 2022-2023 school year,
1568 a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified
1569 pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(g) s. 1012.585(3)(f) must
1570 successfully complete all competencies for a reading
1571 endorsement, including completion of the endorsement practicum
1572 through the candidate’s field experience, in order to graduate
1573 from the program.
1574 3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his
1575 or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is
1576 seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on
1577 student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12
1578 setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving
1579 a passing score on the professional education competency
1580 examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area
1581 examination for the subject area certification which is required
1582 by state board rule.
1583 Section 24. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section
1584 1012.586, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
1585 1012.586 Additions or changes to certificates; duplicate
1586 certificates; reading endorsement pathways.—
1587 (2)
1588 (b) As part of adopting a pathway pursuant to paragraph
1589 (a), the department shall review the competencies for the
1590 reading endorsement and subject area examinations for educator
1591 certificates identified pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(g) s.
1592 1012.585(3)(f) for alignment with evidence-based instructional
1593 and intervention strategies rooted in the science of reading and
1594 identified pursuant to s. 1001.215(7) and recommend changes to
1595 the State Board of Education. Recommended changes must address
1596 identification of the characteristics of conditions such as
1597 dyslexia, implementation of evidence-based classroom instruction
1598 and interventions, including evidence-based reading instruction
1599 and interventions specifically for students with characteristics
1600 of dyslexia, and effective progress monitoring. By July 1, 2023,
1601 each school district reading endorsement add-on program must be
1602 resubmitted for approval by the department consistent with this
1603 paragraph.
1604 Section 25. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024.
