Florida Senate - 2013                             CS for SB 1664
       
       
       
       By the Committee on Education; and Senator Legg
       
       
       
       
       581-02625-13                                          20131664c1
    1                        A bill to be entitled                      
    2         An act relating to education instructional personnel
    3         and school administrators; amending s. 1004.04, F.S.;
    4         revising legislative intent; revising the requirements
    5         of State Board of Education rule for uniform core
    6         curricula for state-approved teacher preparation
    7         programs; revising the process for initial approval of
    8         state-approved teacher preparation programs; revising
    9         the requirements for continued approval of state
   10         approved teacher preparation programs; requiring the
   11         State Board of Education to adopt rules for continued
   12         approval of teacher preparation programs; requiring
   13         the Commissioner of Education to determine the
   14         continued approval of each program; providing
   15         requirements for a report that certain public and
   16         private institutions prepare regarding their teacher
   17         preparation programs; requiring the Department of
   18         Education to report to the Governor, the Legislature,
   19         the State Board of Education, the Board of Governors,
   20         the Commissioner of Education, each Florida
   21         postsecondary teacher preparation program, each
   22         district school superintendent, and the public the
   23         results of each approved program’s annual progress and
   24         the current approval status of each program; revising
   25         the requirements for preservice field experience;
   26         amending s. 1004.85, F.S.; revising the definition of
   27         the term “educator preparation institute”; authorizing
   28         a qualified private provider to seek approval to offer
   29         a competency-based certification program; revising the
   30         criteria for approval of preparation programs;
   31         requiring the department to approve a certification
   32         program under certain circumstances; revising the
   33         requirements for program participants; revising the
   34         criteria for continued approval of programs; revising
   35         the requirements for personnel that participate in
   36         field experiences; amending s. 1012.32, F.S.;
   37         conforming cross-references and conforming provisions
   38         to changes made by the act; amending s. 1012.55, F.S.;
   39         requiring the State Board of Education to adopt rules
   40         that allow an individual who meets specified criteria
   41         to be eligible for a temporary certificate in
   42         education leadership; amending s. 1012.56, F.S.;
   43         authorizing the State Board of Education to adopt
   44         rules that allow for the acceptance of college course
   45         credits recommended by the American Council for
   46         Education; authorizing a school district to provide a
   47         professional development certification program;
   48         specifying the components of the program; revising
   49         requirements for demonstrating mastery of professional
   50         education competence; requiring the Commissioner of
   51         Education to determine the continued approval of the
   52         programs; requiring the Department of Education to
   53         provide a review procedure for an applicant who fails
   54         a certification examination; requiring the applicant
   55         to bear the actual cost in order for the department to
   56         provide an examination review; amending s. 1012.585,
   57         F.S.; conforming a cross-reference; amending s.
   58         1012.71, F.S.; renaming the Florida Teachers Lead
   59         Program as the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply
   60         Assistance Program; providing that the calculation of
   61         funds for each teacher includes local contributions;
   62         requiring that a teacher’s proportionate share of
   63         funds be provided by any means determined appropriate,
   64         including a debit card; providing requirements for the
   65         debit card; authorizing the Department of Education
   66         and the district school boards to enter into public
   67         private partnerships; deleting provisions relating to
   68         a pilot program established for the 2009-2010 fiscal
   69         year; amending s. 1012.98, F.S.; authorizing rather
   70         than requiring each school principal to establish and
   71         maintain an individual professional development plan
   72         for each instructional employee assigned to the school
   73         as a seamless component to the school improvement
   74         plans; providing an effective date.
   75  
   76  Be It Enacted by the Legislature of the State of Florida:
   77  
   78         Section 1. Section 1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to
   79  read:
   80         1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for
   81  teacher preparation programs.—
   82         (1) INTENT.—
   83         (a) The Legislature recognizes that effective skilled
   84  teachers make an important contribution to a system that allows
   85  students to obtain a high-quality education.
   86         (b) The intent of the Legislature is to require the State
   87  Board of Education to maintain attain a system for development
   88  and approval of teacher preparation programs which that allows
   89  postsecondary teacher preparation institutions to employ varied
   90  and innovative teacher preparation techniques while being held
   91  accountable for producing program completers graduates with the
   92  competencies and skills necessary to achieve the state education
   93  goals; help all students in the state’s diverse student
   94  population, including students who have substandard reading and
   95  computational skills and students with limited English
   96  proficiency, meet high standards for academic achievement;
   97  maintain safe, secure classroom learning environments; and
   98  sustain the state system of school improvement and education
   99  accountability established pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and
  100  1008.345.
  101         (2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT.—
  102         (a) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant
  103  to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 which that establish uniform core
  104  curricula for each state-approved teacher preparation program.
  105         (b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each
  106  state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are
  107  not limited to, the following:
  108         1. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices.
  109         2. The state-adopted content standards. a State Board of
  110  Education identified foundation in
  111         3. Scientifically researched reading instruction.,
  112  knowledge-based reading
  113         4. Content literacy and mathematics practices.
  114  computational skills acquisition; classroom management;
  115         5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English
  116  language learners.
  117         6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students
  118  with disabilities.
  119         7. School safety; professional ethics; educational law;
  120  human development and learning; and understanding of the
  121  Sunshine State Standards content measured by state achievement
  122  tests, reading and interpretation of data, and use of data to
  123  improve student achievement.
  124         (c) Each candidate must receive instruction and be assessed
  125  on the uniform core curricula in the candidate’s area or areas
  126  of program concentration during course work and field
  127  experiences These rules shall not require an additional period
  128  of time-to-degree but may be phased in to enable teacher
  129  preparation programs to supplant courses, including pedagogy
  130  courses, not required by law or State Board of Education rule
  131  with the courses identified pursuant to paragraph (b).
  132         (d)Before program completion, each candidate must
  133  demonstrate his or her ability to positively impact student
  134  learning growth in the candidate’s area or areas of program
  135  concentration during a prekindergarten through grade 12 field
  136  experience and must pass each portion of the Florida Teacher
  137  Certification Examination required for a professional
  138  certificate in the area or areas of program concentration.
  139         (3) DEVELOPMENT OF TEACHER PREPARATION PROGRAMS.—A system
  140  developed by the Department of Education in collaboration with
  141  postsecondary educational institutions shall assist departments
  142  and colleges of education in the restructuring of their programs
  143  in accordance with this section to meet the need for producing
  144  quality teachers now and in the future.
  145         (a) The system must be designed to assist teacher educators
  146  in conceptualizing, developing, implementing, and evaluating
  147  programs that meet state-adopted standards. These standards
  148  shall emphasize quality indicators drawn from research,
  149  professional literature, recognized guidelines, Florida
  150  essential teaching competencies and educator-accomplished
  151  practices, effective classroom practices, and the outcomes of
  152  the state system of school improvement and education
  153  accountability, as well as performance measures.
  154         (b) Departments and colleges of education shall emphasize
  155  the state system of school improvement and education
  156  accountability concepts and standards, including Sunshine State
  157  Standards.
  158         (c) State-approved teacher preparation programs must
  159  incorporate:
  160         1. Appropriate English for Speakers of Other Languages
  161  instruction so that program graduates will have completed the
  162  requirements for teaching limited English proficient students in
  163  Florida public schools.
  164         2. Scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading
  165  literacy and computational skills instruction so that program
  166  graduates will be able to provide the necessary academic
  167  foundations for their students at whatever grade levels they
  168  choose to teach.
  169         (3)(4) INITIAL STATE PROGRAM APPROVAL.—
  170         (a) A program approval process based on standards adopted
  171  pursuant to this subsection and subsection subsections (2) and
  172  (3) must be established for postsecondary teacher preparation
  173  programs, phased in according to timelines determined by the
  174  Department of Education, and fully implemented for all teacher
  175  preparation programs in the state. Each program shall be
  176  approved by the department, consistent with the intent set forth
  177  in subsection (1) and based primarily upon evidence of the
  178  institution’s and the program’s capacity to meet the
  179  requirements for continued approval as provided in subsection
  180  (4) and by the rules of the State Board of Education
  181  significant, objective, and quantifiable graduate performance
  182  measures.
  183         (b) Each teacher preparation program approved by the
  184  Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall
  185  require students to meet, at a minimum, the following as
  186  prerequisites for admission into the program:
  187         1. Have a grade point average of at least 2.5 on a 4.0
  188  scale for the general education component of undergraduate
  189  studies or have completed the requirements for a baccalaureate
  190  degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  191  from any college or university accredited by a regional
  192  accrediting association as defined by State Board of Education
  193  rule or any college or university otherwise approved pursuant to
  194  State Board of Education rule.
  195         2. Demonstrate mastery of general knowledge sufficient for
  196  entry into the program, including the ability to read, write,
  197  and perform in mathematics compute, by passing the General
  198  Knowledge Test of the Florida Teacher Certification Examination
  199  or, for a graduate level program, obtain a baccalaureate degree
  200  from an institution that is accredited or approved, the College
  201  Level Academic Skills Test, a corresponding component of the
  202  National Teachers Examination series, or a similar test pursuant
  203  to the rules of the State Board of Education.
  204  
  205  Each teacher preparation program may waive these admissions
  206  requirements for up to 10 percent of the students admitted.
  207  Programs shall implement strategies to ensure that students
  208  admitted under a waiver receive assistance to demonstrate
  209  competencies to successfully meet requirements for certification
  210  and shall annually report to the Department of Education the
  211  status of each candidate admitted under such a waiver.
  212         (c) Each teacher preparation program approved by the
  213  Department of Education, as provided for by this section, shall
  214  provide a certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and
  215  procedures required for graduates to obtain educator
  216  professional or temporary certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
  217         (4)(5) CONTINUED PROGRAM APPROVAL.—Notwithstanding
  218  subsection (4), failure by a public or nonpublic teacher
  219  preparation program to meet the criteria for continued program
  220  approval shall result in loss of program approval. The
  221  Department of Education, in collaboration with the departments
  222  and colleges of education, shall develop procedures for
  223  continued program approval that document the continuous
  224  improvement of program processes and graduates’ performance.
  225         (a) Continued approval of a specific teacher preparation
  226  program shall be based upon evidence that the program continues
  227  to implement the requirements for initial approval and upon
  228  significant, objective, and quantifiable measures of the program
  229  and the performance of the program completers.
  230         (a)The criteria for continued approval must include each
  231  of the following:
  232         1.Documentation from the program that each program
  233  candidate met the admission requirements provided in subsection
  234  (3).
  235         2.Documentation from the program that the program and each
  236  program completer have met the requirements provided in
  237  subsection (2).
  238         3.Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
  239         a.Placement rate of program completers into instructional
  240  positions in Florida public schools.
  241         b.Rate of retention for employed program completers in
  242  instructional positions in Florida public schools.
  243         c.Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
  244  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
  245  assessments using the results of the student learning growth
  246  formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
  247         d.Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
  248  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
  249  student subgroup, as defined in the federal Elementary and
  250  Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
  251  6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
  252  prepares teachers to work with a diverse population of students
  253  in a variety of settings in Florida public schools.
  254         e.Results of a program completers annual performance
  255  evaluation pursuant to s. 1012.34.
  256         f.Production of program completers in statewide critical
  257  teacher shortage areas as identified in s. 1012.07 programs at
  258  each public and nonpublic postsecondary educational institution
  259  within the state is contingent upon the passing of the written
  260  examination required by s. 1012.56 by at least 90 percent of the
  261  graduates of the program who take the examination. The
  262  Department of Education shall annually provide an analysis of
  263  the performance of the graduates of such institution with
  264  respect to the competencies assessed by the examination required
  265  by s. 1012.56.
  266         (b) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules for
  267  continued approval of teacher preparation programs which include
  268  the program review process, the continued approval timelines,
  269  and the performance level targets for each of the continued
  270  approval criteria in paragraph (a). Additional criteria for
  271  continued program approval for public institutions may be
  272  approved by the State Board of Education. Such criteria may
  273  include a must emphasize instruction in classroom management and
  274  must provide for the evaluation of the teacher candidates’
  275  performance in this area. The criteria shall also require
  276  instruction in working with underachieving students. Program
  277  evaluation procedures must include, but are not limited to,
  278  program completer’s graduates satisfaction with instruction and
  279  an employer’s satisfaction with, and the program’s
  280  responsiveness to, local school districts. The Commissioner of
  281  Education shall determine the continued approval of each program
  282  based on the data collected pursuant to this section and the
  283  rules of the State Board of Education Additional criteria for
  284  continued program approval for nonpublic institutions shall be
  285  developed in the same manner as for public institutions;
  286  however, such criteria must be based upon significant,
  287  objective, and quantifiable graduate performance measures.
  288  Responsibility for collecting data on outcome measures through
  289  survey instruments and other appropriate means shall be shared
  290  by the postsecondary educational institutions and the Department
  291  of Education. By January 1 of each year, the Department of
  292  Education shall report this information for each postsecondary
  293  educational institution that has state-approved programs of
  294  teacher education to the Governor, the State Board of Education,
  295  the Board of Governors, the Commissioner of Education, the
  296  President of the Senate, the Speaker of the House of
  297  Representatives, all Florida postsecondary teacher preparation
  298  programs, and interested members of the public. This report must
  299  analyze the data and make recommendations for improving teacher
  300  preparation programs in the state.
  301         (c) Each program must prepare and submit to the Department
  302  of Education Continued approval for a teacher preparation
  303  program is contingent upon the results of periodic reviews, on a
  304  schedule established by the State Board of Education, of the
  305  program conducted by the postsecondary educational institution,
  306  using procedures and criteria outlined in an institutional
  307  program evaluation plan approved by the Department of Education.
  308  Each institutional program evaluation This plan must incorporate
  309  the criteria established in paragraphs (a) and (b) and may
  310  include additional data chosen by the program. The plan must
  311  provide information on how the institution addresses continuous
  312  program improvement and must include provisions for involving
  313  primary stakeholders, such as program completers graduates,
  314  public district school personnel, classroom teachers,
  315  principals, community agencies, and business representatives in
  316  the evaluation process. Upon request by an institution, the
  317  department shall provide assistance in developing, enhancing, or
  318  reviewing the institutional program evaluation plan and training
  319  evaluation team members.
  320         (d) Continued approval for a teacher preparation program is
  321  contingent upon standards being in place that are designed to
  322  adequately prepare elementary, middle, and high school teachers
  323  to instruct their students in reading and higher-level
  324  mathematics concepts and in the use of technology at the
  325  appropriate grade level.
  326         (e) Continued approval of teacher preparation programs is
  327  contingent upon compliance with the student admission
  328  requirements of subsection (4) and upon the receipt of at least
  329  a satisfactory rating from public schools and private schools
  330  that employ graduates of the program. Each teacher preparation
  331  program must shall guarantee the high quality of its program
  332  completers graduates during the first 2 years immediately
  333  following completion of graduation from the program or following
  334  initial certification, whichever occurs first. Any program
  335  completer who is employed in a Florida public school during this
  336  2-year period and who earns an evaluation result of developing
  337  or unsatisfactory on the school district’s evaluation system
  338  implemented under s. 1012.34 educator in a Florida school who
  339  fails to demonstrate the essential skills specified in
  340  subparagraphs 1.-5. shall be provided additional training by the
  341  teacher preparation program at no expense to the educator or the
  342  employer if requested by the employing school district or
  343  charter school. Such training must consist of an individualized
  344  plan agreed upon by the school district and the postsecondary
  345  educational institution which that includes specific learning
  346  outcomes. The postsecondary educational institution assumes no
  347  responsibility for the educator’s employment contract with the
  348  employer. Employer satisfaction shall be determined by an
  349  annually administered survey instrument approved by the
  350  Department of Education that, at a minimum, must include
  351  employer satisfaction of the graduates’ ability to do the
  352  following:
  353         1. Write and speak in a logical and understandable style
  354  with appropriate grammar.
  355         2. Recognize signs of students’ difficulty with the reading
  356  and computational process and apply appropriate measures to
  357  improve students’ reading and computational performance.
  358         3. Use and integrate appropriate technology in teaching and
  359  learning processes.
  360         4. Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of Sunshine
  361  State Standards.
  362         5. Maintain an orderly and disciplined classroom conducive
  363  to student learning.
  364         (e)(f)1. Each Florida public and private institution that
  365  offers a state-approved teacher preparation program must
  366  annually report information regarding its approved these
  367  programs to the state and the general public. The report to the
  368  state must include a list of candidates who are admitted to, who
  369  are enrolled in, or who complete a teacher preparation program;
  370  additional evidence necessary to document requirements for
  371  continued approval; and data necessary to complete applicable
  372  federal reporting requirements. The state reporting requirements
  373  must minimize a programs reporting burden whenever possible
  374  without compromising data quality. The report to the general
  375  public must include, at a minimum, the annual progress data
  376  reported by the state under this paragraph, and may include
  377  other information chosen by the institution or program. This
  378  information shall be reported in a uniform and comprehensible
  379  manner that is consistent with definitions and methods approved
  380  by the Commissioner of the National Center for Educational
  381  Statistics and that is approved by the State Board of Education.
  382  This information must include, at a minimum:
  383         a. The percent of graduates obtaining full-time teaching
  384  employment within the first year of graduation.
  385         b. The average length of stay of graduates in their full
  386  time teaching positions.
  387         c. Satisfaction ratings required in paragraph (e).
  388         2. Each public and private institution offering training
  389  for school readiness related professions, including training in
  390  the fields of child care and early childhood education, whether
  391  offering career credit, associate in applied science degree
  392  programs, associate in science degree programs, or associate in
  393  arts degree programs, shall annually report information
  394  regarding these programs to the state and the general public in
  395  a uniform and comprehensible manner that conforms with
  396  definitions and methods approved by the State Board of
  397  Education. This information must include, at a minimum:
  398         a. Average length of stay of graduates in their positions.
  399         b. Satisfaction ratings of graduates’ employers.
  400  
  401  This information shall be reported through publications,
  402  including college and university catalogs and promotional
  403  materials sent to potential applicants, secondary school
  404  guidance counselors, and prospective employers of the
  405  institution’s program graduates.
  406         (f) By January 1 of each year, the Department of Education
  407  shall report the results of each approved program’s annual
  408  progress on the performance measures in paragraph (a) as well as
  409  the current approval status of each program to:
  410         1. The Governor.
  411         2.The President of the Senate.
  412         3.The Speaker of the House of Representatives.
  413         4.The State Board of Education.
  414         5.The Board of Governors.
  415         6.The Commissioner of Education.
  416         7.Each Florida postsecondary teacher preparation program.
  417         8.Each district school superintendent.
  418         9.The public.
  419  
  420  This report may include the results of other continued approval
  421  requirements provided by State Board of Education rule and
  422  recommendations for improving teacher preparation programs in
  423  the state.
  424         (5)(6) PRESERVICE FIELD EXPERIENCE.—All postsecondary
  425  instructors, school district personnel and instructional
  426  personnel, and school sites preparing instructional personnel
  427  through preservice field experience courses and internships
  428  shall meet special requirements. District school boards may are
  429  authorized to pay student teachers during their internships.
  430         (a) All instructors in postsecondary teacher preparation
  431  programs who instruct or supervise preservice field experience
  432  courses or internships in which candidates demonstrate an impact
  433  on student learning growth must shall have each at least one of
  434  the following: specialized training in clinical supervision; a
  435  valid professional teaching certificate pursuant to ss. 1012.56
  436  and 1012.585; and or at least 3 years of successful teaching
  437  experience in prekindergarten through grade 12.
  438         (b) All school district personnel and instructional
  439  personnel who supervise or direct teacher preparation students
  440  during field experience courses or internships in which
  441  candidates demonstrate an impact on student learning growth must
  442  have evidence of “clinical educator” training, a valid
  443  professional certificate issued pursuant to s. 1012.56, and at
  444  least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through
  445  grade 12 and must have earned an effective or highly effective
  446  rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s.
  447  1012.34 or be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation
  448  system approved under s. 1012.34 successfully demonstrate
  449  effective classroom management strategies that consistently
  450  result in improved student performance. The State Board of
  451  Education shall approve the training requirements.
  452         (c) Preservice field experience programs must include
  453  candidate practice provide specific guidance and demonstration
  454  of the uniform core curricula specific to the candidates’ area
  455  or areas of program concentration with a diverse population of
  456  students in a variety of settings effective classroom management
  457  strategies, strategies for incorporating technology into
  458  classroom instruction, strategies for incorporating
  459  scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading literacy and
  460  computational skills acquisition into classroom instruction, and
  461  ways to link instructional plans to the Sunshine State
  462  Standards, as appropriate. The length of structured field
  463  experiences may be extended to ensure that candidates achieve
  464  the competencies needed to meet certification requirements.
  465         (d) Postsecondary teacher preparation programs in
  466  cooperation with district school boards and approved private
  467  school associations shall select the school sites for preservice
  468  field experience activities based upon the qualifications of the
  469  supervising personnel as described in this subsection and the
  470  needs of the candidates. These sites must represent the full
  471  spectrum of school communities, including, but not limited to,
  472  schools located in urban settings. In order to be selected,
  473  school sites must demonstrate commitment to the education of
  474  public school students and to the preparation of future
  475  teachers.
  476         (7) STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE.—The State Board of Education
  477  shall approve standards of excellence for teacher preparation.
  478  These standards must exceed the requirements for program
  479  approval pursuant to subsection (4) and must incorporate state
  480  and national recommendations for exemplary teacher preparation
  481  programs.
  482         (8) NATIONAL BOARD STANDARDS.—The State Board of Education
  483  shall review standards and recommendations developed by the
  484  National Board for Professional Teaching Standards and may
  485  incorporate those parts deemed appropriate into criteria for
  486  continued state program approval, standards of excellence, and
  487  requirements for inservice education.
  488         (9) FLORIDA COLLEGE SYSTEM INSTITUTIONS.—To the extent
  489  practical, postsecondary educational institutions offering
  490  teacher preparation programs shall establish articulation
  491  agreements on a core of liberal arts courses and introductory
  492  professional courses with field experience components which
  493  shall be offered at Florida College System institutions.
  494         (10) SHORT-TERM EXPERIENCES AS TEACHER ASSISTANTS.
  495  Postsecondary institutions offering teacher preparation programs
  496  and Florida College System institutions, in collaboration with
  497  school districts, may develop and implement a program to provide
  498  short-term experiences as teacher assistants prior to beginning
  499  a teacher preparation program or alternative certification
  500  program. The program shall serve individuals with baccalaureate
  501  degrees who are interested in the teaching profession. This
  502  experience may be accepted for use in teacher preparation
  503  programs and competency-based alternative certification
  504  programs, where applicable.
  505         (6)(11) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt
  506  necessary rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to
  507  implement this section.
  508         Section 2. Section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  509  read:
  510         1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes.—
  511         (1) As used in this section, the term “educator preparation
  512  institute” means an institute created by a postsecondary
  513  institution or a qualified private provider and approved by the
  514  Department of Education.
  515         (2)(a) Postsecondary institutions that are accredited or
  516  approved as described in State Board of Education rule may seek
  517  approval from the Department of Education to create educator
  518  preparation institutes for the purpose of providing any or all
  519  of the following:
  520         1.(a) Professional development instruction to assist
  521  teachers in improving classroom instruction and in meeting
  522  certification or recertification requirements.
  523         2.(b) Instruction to assist potential and existing
  524  substitute teachers in performing their duties.
  525         3.(c) Instruction to assist paraprofessionals in meeting
  526  education and training requirements.
  527         4.(d) Instruction for baccalaureate degree holders to
  528  become certified teachers as provided in this section in order
  529  to increase routes to the classroom for mid-career professionals
  530  who hold a baccalaureate degree and college graduates who were
  531  not education majors.
  532         (b) A private provider that has a proven history of
  533  delivering high-quality teacher preparation, which is based on
  534  evidence provided from other state recipients of its services
  535  and data showing the successful performance of its completers
  536  based on student achievement, may seek approval to offer a
  537  competency-based certification program under subsection (3).
  538         (3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
  539  this section may offer competency-based alternative
  540  certification programs specifically designed for noneducation
  541  major baccalaureate degree holders to enable program
  542  participants to meet the educator certification requirements of
  543  s. 1012.56. Such programs shall be competency-based educator
  544  certification preparation programs that prepare educators
  545  through an alternative route. An educator preparation institute
  546  choosing to offer a competency-based an alternative
  547  certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section
  548  must implement a program previously approved by the Department
  549  of Education for this purpose or a program developed by the
  550  institute and approved by the department for this purpose.
  551  Approved programs shall be available for use by other approved
  552  educator preparation institutes.
  553         (a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for approval,
  554  the Department of Education shall approve a preparation an
  555  alternative certification program pursuant to the requirements
  556  of this subsection or issue a statement of the deficiencies in
  557  the request for approval. The department shall approve a an
  558  alternative certification program if the institute provides
  559  sufficient evidence of the institute’s capacity to implement a
  560  competency-based program that includes each of the following:
  561         1.a.Participant instruction and assessment in the Florida
  562  Educator Accomplished Practices.
  563         b. The state-adopted student content standards.
  564         c. Scientifically researched reading instruction.
  565         d. Content literacy and mathematical practices.
  566         e. Strategies appropriate for instruction of English
  567  language learners.
  568         f. Strategies appropriate for instruction of students with
  569  disabilities.
  570         g. School safety.
  571         2.An educational plan for each participant to meet
  572  certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to
  573  teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking
  574  certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her
  575  competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1 Instruction
  576  must be provided in professional knowledge and subject matter
  577  content that includes educator-accomplished practices and
  578  competencies specified in State Board of Education rule and
  579  meets subject matter content requirements, professional
  580  competency testing requirements, and competencies associated
  581  with teaching scientifically based reading instruction and
  582  strategies that research has shown to be successful in improving
  583  reading among low-performing readers.
  584         3.2.Field experiences appropriate to the certification
  585  subject area specified in the educational plan with a diverse
  586  population of students in a variety of settings under the
  587  program must provide field experience with supervision of from
  588  qualified educators.
  589         4.3. The program must provide A certification ombudsman to
  590  facilitate the process and procedures required for participants
  591  who complete the program to meet any requirements related to the
  592  background screening pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator
  593  professional or temporary certification pursuant to s. 1012.56.
  594         (b) Each program participant must:
  595         1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s.
  596  1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in
  597  the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet
  598  the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f).
  599         2. Participate in coursework and field experiences that are
  600  experience that is appropriate to his or her educational plan
  601  prepared under paragraph (a).
  602         3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his
  603  or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is
  604  seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on
  605  student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12
  606  setting and achieving demonstrate mastery of professional
  607  preparation and education competence by achievement of a passing
  608  score on the professional education competency examination, the
  609  basic skills examination, and the subject area examination for
  610  the subject area certification which is required by state board
  611  rule prior to completion of the program.
  612         (c) Upon completion of all requirements for a an
  613  alternative certification program approved pursuant to this
  614  subsection, a participant shall receive a credential from the
  615  sponsoring institution signifying that the participant has
  616  completed a state-approved competency-based certification
  617  program in the certification subject area specified in the
  618  educational plan satisfaction of the requirements of s.
  619  1012.56(6) relating to mastery of professional preparation and
  620  education competence. A participant is shall be eligible for
  621  educator certification through the Department of Education upon
  622  satisfaction of all requirements for certification set forth in
  623  s. 1012.56(2), including demonstration of mastery of general
  624  knowledge, subject area knowledge, and professional preparation
  625  and education competence, through testing or other statutorily
  626  authorized means.
  627         (d) If an institution offers an alternative certification
  628  program approved pursuant to this subsection, such program may
  629  be used by the school district or districts served by that
  630  institution in addition to the alternative certification program
  631  as required in s. 1012.56(8).
  632         (4) Continued approval of each program approved pursuant to
  633  this section shall be determined by the Commissioner of
  634  Education based upon a periodic review of the following areas:
  635         (a)Documentation from the program that each program
  636  completer has met the requirements of paragraphs (3)(a)-(c);
  637         (b)Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
  638         1.Placement rate of program completers into instructional
  639  positions in Florida public schools.
  640         2.Rate of retention for employed program completers in
  641  instructional positions in Florida public schools.
  642         3.Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
  643  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
  644  assessments using the results of the student learning growth
  645  formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
  646         4.Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
  647  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
  648  student subgroups, as defined in the federal Elementary and
  649  Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
  650  6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
  651  prepares teachers to work with a diverse population of students
  652  in a variety of settings in Florida public schools.
  653         5.Results of a program completers annual performance
  654  evaluation pursuant to s. 1012.34.
  655         6.Production of program completers in statewide critical
  656  teacher shortage areas as identified in s. 1012.07.
  657         (5)(4) Each institute approved pursuant to this section
  658  shall submit to the Department of Education annual performance
  659  evaluations that measure the effectiveness of the programs,
  660  including the pass rates of participants on all examinations
  661  required for teacher certification, employment rates,
  662  longitudinal retention rates, and employer satisfaction surveys.
  663  The employer satisfaction surveys must be designed to measure
  664  the sufficient preparation of the educator to enter the
  665  classroom. These evaluations shall be used by the Department of
  666  Education for purposes of continued approval of an educator
  667  preparation institute’s alternative certification program.
  668         (6)(5) Instructors and supervisors of field experiences in
  669  which participants demonstrate an impact on student learning
  670  growth for a an alternative certification program approved
  671  pursuant to this section must meet the same qualifications as
  672  those required in s. 1004.04(5) possess a master’s degree in
  673  education or a master’s degree in an appropriate related field
  674  and document teaching experience.
  675         (7)(6) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to
  676  this section and providing approved instructional programs for
  677  any of the purposes in subsection (2) are eligible for funding
  678  from federal and state funds, as appropriated by the
  679  Legislature.
  680         (8)(7) The State Board of Education may adopt rules
  681  pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to implement the
  682  provisions of this section, including performance targets for
  683  the measures used for continued program approval described in
  684  subsection (4).
  685         Section 3. Paragraph (d) of subsection (2) of section
  686  1012.32, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  687         1012.32 Qualifications of personnel.—
  688         (2)
  689         (d) Student teachers and, persons participating in a field
  690  experience pursuant to s. 1004.04(5) s. 1004.04(6) or s.
  691  1004.85, and persons participating in a short-term experience as
  692  a teacher assistant pursuant to s. 1004.04(10) in any district
  693  school system, lab school, or charter school must, upon
  694  engagement to provide services, undergo background screening as
  695  required under s. 1012.56.
  696  
  697  Fingerprints shall be submitted to the Department of Law
  698  Enforcement for statewide criminal and juvenile records checks
  699  and to the Federal Bureau of Investigation for federal criminal
  700  records checks. A person subject to this subsection who is found
  701  ineligible for employment under s. 1012.315, or otherwise found
  702  through background screening to have been convicted of any crime
  703  involving moral turpitude as defined by rule of the State Board
  704  of Education, shall not be employed, engaged to provide
  705  services, or serve in any position that requires direct contact
  706  with students. Probationary persons subject to this subsection
  707  terminated because of their criminal record have the right to
  708  appeal such decisions. The cost of the background screening may
  709  be borne by the district school board, the charter school, the
  710  employee, the contractor, or a person subject to this
  711  subsection.
  712         Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 1012.55, Florida
  713  Statutes, is amended to read:
  714         1012.55 Positions for which certificates required.—
  715         (1)(a) The State Board of Education shall classify school
  716  services, designate the certification subject areas, establish
  717  competencies, including the use of technology to enhance student
  718  learning, and certification requirements for all school-based
  719  personnel, and adopt rules in accordance with which the
  720  professional, temporary, and part-time certificates shall be
  721  issued by the Department of Education to applicants who meet the
  722  standards prescribed by such rules for their class of service.
  723         (b) Each person employed or occupying a position as school
  724  supervisor, school principal, teacher, library media specialist,
  725  school counselor, athletic coach, or other position in which the
  726  employee serves in an instructional capacity, in any public
  727  school of any district of this state shall hold the certificate
  728  required by law and by rules of the State Board of Education in
  729  fulfilling the requirements of the law for the type of service
  730  rendered. Such positions include personnel providing direct
  731  instruction to students through a virtual environment or through
  732  a blended virtual and physical environment.
  733         (c) The Department of Education shall identify appropriate
  734  educator certification for the instruction of specified courses
  735  in an annual publication of a directory of course code numbers
  736  for all programs and courses that are funded through the Florida
  737  Education Finance Program. However, the state board shall adopt
  738  rules authorizing district school boards to employ selected
  739  noncertificated personnel to provide instructional services in
  740  the individuals’ fields of specialty or to assist instructional
  741  staff members as education paraprofessionals.
  742         (d) The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant
  743  to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 to allow an individual who meets
  744  the following criteria to be eligible for a temporary
  745  certificate in educational leadership under s. 1012.56(7):
  746         1.Earning a passing score on the Florida Educational
  747  Leadership Examination;
  748         2.Documenting 3 years of successful experience in a
  749  management or leadership position; and
  750         3.Documenting receipt of a bachelor’s degree or higher
  751  from an accredited institution of higher learning or from a
  752  nonaccredited institution of higher learning that the Department
  753  of Education has identified as having a quality program that
  754  results in a bachelor’s degree, or higher.
  755         Section 5. Paragraph (c) of subsection (2), subsection (8),
  756  and paragraph (d) of subsection (9) of section 1012.56, Florida
  757  Statutes, are amended to read:
  758         1012.56 Educator certification requirements.—
  759         (2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.—To be eligible to seek
  760  certification, a person must:
  761         (c) Document receipt of a bachelor’s or higher degree from
  762  an accredited institution of higher learning, or a nonaccredited
  763  institution of higher learning that the Department of Education
  764  has identified as having a quality program resulting in a
  765  bachelor’s degree, or higher. Each applicant seeking initial
  766  certification must have attained at least a 2.5 overall grade
  767  point average on a 4.0 scale in the applicant’s major field of
  768  study. The applicant may document the required education by
  769  submitting official transcripts from institutions of higher
  770  education or by authorizing the direct submission of such
  771  official transcripts through established electronic network
  772  systems. The bachelor’s or higher degree may not be required in
  773  areas approved in rule by the State Board of Education as
  774  nondegreed areas. The State Board of Education may adopt rules
  775  that, for purposes of demonstrating completion of specific
  776  certification requirements, allow for the acceptance of college
  777  course credits recommended by the American Council for Education
  778  (ACE), as posted on an official ACE transcript.
  779         (8) PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT PREPARATION ALTERNATIVE
  780  CERTIFICATION AND EDUCATION COMPETENCY PROGRAM.—
  781         (a) The Department of Education shall develop and each
  782  school district may must provide a cohesive competency-based
  783  professional development preparation alternative certification
  784  program by which members of a school district’s instructional
  785  staff may satisfy the mastery of professional preparation and
  786  education competence requirements specified in this subsection
  787  and rules of the State Board of Education. Participants must
  788  hold a state-issued temporary certificate. A school district
  789  that implements the program shall provide a competency-based
  790  alternative certification preparation program developed by the
  791  Department of Education or developed by the district and
  792  approved by the Department of Education. The program shall
  793  include the following components:
  794         1. A minimum period of initial preparation before prior to
  795  assuming duties as the teacher of record.
  796         2. An option for collaboration between school districts and
  797  other supporting agencies or educational entities for
  798  implementation.
  799         3. Experienced peer mentors. Each individual selected by
  800  the district as a peer mentor must hold a valid professional
  801  certificate issued pursuant to s. 1012.56, must have earned at
  802  least 3 years of teaching experience in prekindergarten through
  803  grade 12, and must have earned an effective or highly effective
  804  rating on the prior year’s performance evaluation under s.
  805  1012.34 or be a peer evaluator under the district’s evaluation
  806  system approved under s. 1012.34.
  807         4. An assessment of teaching performance aligned to the
  808  district’s system for personnel evaluation under s. 1012.34
  809  which that provides for:
  810         a. An initial evaluation of each educator’s competencies to
  811  determine an appropriate individualized professional development
  812  plan.
  813         b. A summative evaluation postevaluation to assure
  814  successful completion of the program.
  815         5. Professional education preparation content knowledge
  816  that includes, but is not limited to, the following:
  817         a. The state-adopted student content standards, including
  818  content literacy and mathematical practices, for each subject
  819  identified on the temporary certificate Requirements specified
  820  in state board rule for professional preparation.
  821         b. The educator-accomplished practices approved by the
  822  state board.
  823         c. A variety of data indicators for monitoring student
  824  progress.
  825         d. Methodologies for teaching students with disabilities,
  826  including technology-based methodologies, for teaching subject
  827  content that supports the Sunshine State Standards for students.
  828         e. Methodologies for teaching English language learners
  829  appropriate for each subject area identified on the temporary
  830  certificate Techniques for effective classroom management.
  831         f. Techniques and strategies for operationalizing the role
  832  of the teacher in assuring a safe learning environment for
  833  students.
  834         g. Methodologies for assuring the ability of all students
  835  to read, write, and compute.
  836         6. Required achievement of passing scores on the subject
  837  area and professional education competency examination required
  838  by State Board of Education rule. Mastery of general knowledge
  839  must be demonstrated as described in subsection (3).
  840         (b)1. Each school district must and a state supported
  841  public school or a private school may develop and maintain a
  842  system by which members of the instructional staff may
  843  demonstrate mastery of professional education competence as
  844  required by law. Each program must be based on classroom
  845  application of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices and
  846  instructional performance and, for public schools, must be
  847  aligned with the district’s evaluation system approved under s.
  848  1012.34 must include a performance evaluation plan for
  849  documenting the demonstration of required professional education
  850  competence.
  851         2. The Commissioner of Education shall determine the
  852  continued approval of programs implemented under this paragraph,
  853  based upon the department’s review of performance data. The
  854  department shall review the performance data as a part of the
  855  periodic review of each school district’s professional
  856  development system required under s. 1012.98.
  857         (c) The Commissioner of Education shall determine the
  858  continued approval of programs implemented under paragraph (a)
  859  based upon the department’s periodic review of the following:
  860         1. Evidence that the requirements in paragraph (a) are
  861  consistently met; and
  862         2. Evidence of performance in each of the following areas:
  863         a.Rate of retention for employed program completers in
  864  instructional positions in Florida public schools.
  865         b.Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
  866  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers on statewide
  867  assessments using the results of the student learning growth
  868  formula adopted under s. 1012.34.
  869         c.Performance of students in prekindergarten through grade
  870  12 who are assigned to in-field program completers aggregated by
  871  student subgroups, as defined in the federal Elementary and
  872  Secondary Education Act (ESEA), 20 U.S.C. s.
  873  6311(b)(2)(C)(v)(II), as a measure of how well the program
  874  prepares teachers to work with a variety of students in Florida
  875  public schools.
  876         d.Results of a program completer’s annual performance
  877  evaluation pursuant to s. 1012.34.
  878         e.Production of program completers in statewide critical
  879  teacher shortage areas as defined in s. 1012.07.
  880         (9) EXAMINATIONS.—
  881         (d) The department shall provide procedures for an
  882  applicant who fails an examination developed by the department
  883  or by an entity under contract with the department to review his
  884  or her examination questions and his or her incorrectly answered
  885  responses to the questions. The applicant bears the actual cost
  886  for the department to provide an examination review pursuant to
  887  this subsection. Notwithstanding any other provisions of law,
  888  only an applicant who fails an examination within a score range
  889  established by rule of the State Board of Education is entitled
  890  to an examination review under this paragraph or to challenge
  891  the validity of the examination If an applicant takes an
  892  examination developed by this state and does not achieve the
  893  score necessary for certification, the applicant may review his
  894  or her completed examination and bring to the attention of the
  895  department any errors that would result in a passing score.
  896         Section 6. Paragraph (a) of subsection (3) of section
  897  1012.585, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
  898         1012.585 Process for renewal of professional certificates.—
  899         (3) For the renewal of a professional certificate, the
  900  following requirements must be met:
  901         (a) The applicant must earn a minimum of 6 college credits
  902  or 120 inservice points or a combination thereof. For each area
  903  of specialization to be retained on a certificate, the applicant
  904  must earn at least 3 of the required credit hours or equivalent
  905  inservice points in the specialization area. Education in
  906  “clinical educator” training pursuant to s. 1004.04(5)(b) s.
  907  1004.04(6)(b) and credits or points that provide training in the
  908  area of scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading
  909  literacy and computational skills acquisition, exceptional
  910  student education, normal child development, and the disorders
  911  of development may be applied toward any specialization area.
  912  Credits or points that provide training in the areas of drug
  913  abuse, child abuse and neglect, strategies in teaching students
  914  having limited proficiency in English, or dropout prevention, or
  915  training in areas identified in the educational goals and
  916  performance standards adopted pursuant to ss. 1000.03(5) and
  917  1008.345 may be applied toward any specialization area. Credits
  918  or points earned through approved summer institutes may be
  919  applied toward the fulfillment of these requirements. Inservice
  920  points may also be earned by participation in professional
  921  growth components approved by the State Board of Education and
  922  specified pursuant to s. 1012.98 in the district’s approved
  923  master plan for inservice educational training, including, but
  924  not limited to, serving as a trainer in an approved teacher
  925  training activity, serving on an instructional materials
  926  committee or a state board or commission that deals with
  927  educational issues, or serving on an advisory council created
  928  pursuant to s. 1001.452.
  929         Section 7. Section 1012.71, Florida Statutes, is amended to
  930  read:
  931         1012.71 The Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance
  932  Lead Program.—
  933         (1) For purposes of the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply
  934  Assistance Lead Program, the term “classroom teacher” means a
  935  certified teacher employed by a public school district or a
  936  public charter school in that district on or before September 1
  937  of each year whose full-time or job-share responsibility is the
  938  classroom instruction of students in prekindergarten through
  939  grade 12, including full-time media specialists and guidance
  940  counselors serving students in prekindergarten through grade 12,
  941  who are funded through the Florida Education Finance Program. A
  942  “job-share” classroom teacher is one of two teachers whose
  943  combined full-time equivalent employment for the same teaching
  944  assignment equals one full-time classroom teacher.
  945         (2) The Legislature, in the General Appropriations Act,
  946  shall determine funding for the Florida Teachers Classroom
  947  Supply Assistance Lead Program. The funds appropriated are for
  948  classroom teachers to purchase, on behalf of the school district
  949  or charter school, classroom materials and supplies for the
  950  public school students assigned to them and may not be used to
  951  purchase equipment. The funds appropriated shall be used to
  952  supplement the materials and supplies otherwise available to
  953  classroom teachers. From the funds appropriated for the Florida
  954  Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program, the
  955  Commissioner of Education shall calculate an amount for each
  956  school district based upon each school district’s proportionate
  957  share of the state’s total unweighted FTE student enrollment and
  958  shall disburse the funds to the school districts by July 15.
  959         (3) From the funds allocated to each school district and
  960  any funds received from local contributions for the Florida
  961  Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program, the district
  962  school board shall calculate an identical amount for each
  963  classroom teacher, which is that teacher’s proportionate share
  964  of the total amount allocated to the district from state funds
  965  and funds received from local contributions. A job-share
  966  classroom teacher may receive a prorated share of the amount
  967  provided to a full-time classroom teacher. The district school
  968  board and each charter school board shall provide each classroom
  969  teacher with his or her total proportionate share by September
  970  30 of each year by any means determined appropriate by the
  971  district school board or charter school board, including, but
  972  not limited to, direct deposit, check, debit card, or purchasing
  973  card, notwithstanding any law to the contrary. If a debit card
  974  is used, an identifier must be placed on the front of the debit
  975  card which clearly indicates that the card has been issued for
  976  the Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Program.
  977  Expenditures under the program are not subject to state or local
  978  competitive bidding requirements. Funds received by a classroom
  979  teacher do not affect wages, hours, or terms and conditions of
  980  employment and, therefore, are not subject to collective
  981  bargaining. Any classroom teacher may decline receipt of or
  982  return the funds without explanation or cause. This subsection
  983  shall apply retroactively to July 1, 2007.
  984         (4) Each classroom teacher must sign a statement
  985  acknowledging receipt of the funds, keep receipts for no less
  986  than 4 years to show that funds expended meet the requirements
  987  of this section, and return any unused funds to the district
  988  school board at the end of the regular school year. Any unused
  989  funds that are returned to the district school board shall be
  990  deposited into the school advisory council account of the school
  991  at which the classroom teacher returning the funds was employed
  992  when that teacher received the funds or deposited into the
  993  Florida Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program
  994  account of the school district in which a charter school is
  995  sponsored, as applicable.
  996         (5) The statement must be signed and dated by each
  997  classroom teacher before receipt of the Florida Teachers
  998  Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program funds and shall include
  999  the wording: “I, ...(name of teacher)..., am employed by the
 1000  ....County District School Board or by the ....Charter School as
 1001  a full-time classroom teacher. I acknowledge that Florida
 1002  Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program funds are
 1003  appropriated by the Legislature for the sole purpose of
 1004  purchasing classroom materials and supplies to be used in the
 1005  instruction of students assigned to me. In accepting custody of
 1006  these funds, I agree to keep the receipts for all expenditures
 1007  for no less than 4 years. I understand that if I do not keep the
 1008  receipts, it will be my personal responsibility to pay any
 1009  federal taxes due on these funds. I also agree to return any
 1010  unexpended funds to the district school board at the end of the
 1011  regular school year for deposit into the school advisory council
 1012  account of the school where I was employed at the time I
 1013  received the funds or for deposit into the Florida Teachers
 1014  Classroom Supply Assistance Lead Program account of the school
 1015  district in which the charter school is sponsored, as
 1016  applicable.”
 1017         (6) The Department of Education and district school boards
 1018  may, and are encouraged to, enter into public-private
 1019  partnerships in order to increase the total amount of Florida
 1020  Teachers Classroom Supply Assistance Programs funds available to
 1021  classroom teachers For the 2009-2010 fiscal year, the Department
 1022  of Education is authorized to conduct a pilot program to
 1023  determine the feasibility of managing the Florida Teachers Lead
 1024  Program through a centralized electronic system. The pilot
 1025  program must:
 1026         (a) Be established through a competitive procurement
 1027  process;
 1028         (b) Provide the capability for participating teachers to
 1029  purchase from online sources;
 1030         (c) Provide the capability for participating teachers to
 1031  purchase from local vendors by means other than online
 1032  purchasing;
 1033         (d) Generally comply with the provisions of this section;
 1034         (e) Be subject to annual auditing requirements to ensure
 1035  accountability for funds received and disbursed; and
 1036         (f) Provide for all unused funds to be returned to the
 1037  state at the close of each fiscal year.
 1038  
 1039  Any participation in this pilot program by school districts and
 1040  individual teachers must be on a voluntary basis. The department
 1041  may limit the number of participating districts to the number it
 1042  deems feasible to adequately measure the viability of the pilot
 1043  program. The department is not required to implement this pilot
 1044  program if it determines that the number of school districts
 1045  willing to participate is insufficient to adequately measure the
 1046  viability of the pilot program.
 1047         Section 8. Paragraph (b) of subsection (4) of section
 1048  1012.98, Florida Statutes, is amended to read:
 1049         1012.98 School Community Professional Development Act.—
 1050         (4) The Department of Education, school districts, schools,
 1051  Florida College System institutions, and state universities
 1052  share the responsibilities described in this section. These
 1053  responsibilities include the following:
 1054         (b) Each school district shall develop a professional
 1055  development system as specified in subsection (3). The system
 1056  shall be developed in consultation with teachers, teacher
 1057  educators of Florida College System institutions and state
 1058  universities, business and community representatives, and local
 1059  education foundations, consortia, and professional
 1060  organizations. The professional development system must:
 1061         1. Be approved by the department. All substantial revisions
 1062  to the system shall be submitted to the department for review
 1063  for continued approval.
 1064         2. Be based on analyses of student achievement data and
 1065  instructional strategies and methods that support rigorous,
 1066  relevant, and challenging curricula for all students. Schools
 1067  and districts, in developing and refining the professional
 1068  development system, shall also review and monitor school
 1069  discipline data; school environment surveys; assessments of
 1070  parental satisfaction; performance appraisal data of teachers,
 1071  managers, and administrative personnel; and other performance
 1072  indicators to identify school and student needs that can be met
 1073  by improved professional performance.
 1074         3. Provide inservice activities coupled with followup
 1075  support appropriate to accomplish district-level and school
 1076  level improvement goals and standards. The inservice activities
 1077  for instructional personnel shall focus on analysis of student
 1078  achievement data, ongoing formal and informal assessments of
 1079  student achievement, identification and use of enhanced and
 1080  differentiated instructional strategies that emphasize rigor,
 1081  relevance, and reading in the content areas, enhancement of
 1082  subject content expertise, integrated use of classroom
 1083  technology that enhances teaching and learning, classroom
 1084  management, parent involvement, and school safety.
 1085         4. Include a master plan for inservice activities, pursuant
 1086  to rules of the State Board of Education, for all district
 1087  employees from all fund sources. The master plan shall be
 1088  updated annually by September 1, must be based on input from
 1089  teachers and district and school instructional leaders, and must
 1090  use the latest available student achievement data and research
 1091  to enhance rigor and relevance in the classroom. Each district
 1092  inservice plan must be aligned to and support the school-based
 1093  inservice plans and school improvement plans pursuant to s.
 1094  1001.42(18). District plans must be approved by the district
 1095  school board annually in order to ensure compliance with
 1096  subsection (1) and to allow for dissemination of research-based
 1097  best practices to other districts. District school boards must
 1098  submit verification of their approval to the Commissioner of
 1099  Education no later than October 1, annually.
 1100         5. Require Each school principal may to establish and
 1101  maintain an individual professional development plan for each
 1102  instructional employee assigned to the school as a seamless
 1103  component to the school improvement plans developed pursuant to
 1104  s. 1001.42(18). The individual professional development plan
 1105  must:
 1106         a. be related to specific performance data for the students
 1107  to whom the teacher is assigned,.
 1108         b. define the inservice objectives and specific measurable
 1109  improvements expected in student performance as a result of the
 1110  inservice activity, and.
 1111         c. include an evaluation component that determines the
 1112  effectiveness of the professional development plan.
 1113         5.6. Include inservice activities for school administrative
 1114  personnel that address updated skills necessary for
 1115  instructional leadership and effective school management
 1116  pursuant to s. 1012.986.
 1117         6.7. Provide for systematic consultation with regional and
 1118  state personnel designated to provide technical assistance and
 1119  evaluation of local professional development programs.
 1120         7.8. Provide for delivery of professional development by
 1121  distance learning and other technology-based delivery systems to
 1122  reach more educators at lower costs.
 1123         8.9. Provide for the continuous evaluation of the quality
 1124  and effectiveness of professional development programs in order
 1125  to eliminate ineffective programs and strategies and to expand
 1126  effective ones. Evaluations must consider the impact of such
 1127  activities on the performance of participating educators and
 1128  their students’ achievement and behavior.
 1129         Section 9. This act shall take effect July 1, 2013.