The Florida Senate

231.002  Teacher quality; legislative findings.--

(1)  The Legislature intends to implement a comprehensive approach to increase students' academic achievement and improve teaching quality. The Legislature recognizes that professional educators shape the future of this state and the nation by developing the knowledge and skills of our future workforce and laying the foundation for good citizenship and full participation in community and civic life. The Legislature also recognizes its critical role in meeting the state's educational goals and preparing all students to achieve at the high levels set by the Sunshine State Standards.

(2)  The Legislature further finds that effective educators are able to do the following:

(a)  Write and speak in a logical and understandable style, using appropriate grammar and sentence structure, and demonstrate a command of standard English, enunciation, clarity of oral directions, and pace and precision in speaking.

(b)  Read, comprehend, and interpret professional and other written material.

(c)  Compute, think logically, and solve problems.

(d)  Recognize signs of students' difficulty with the reading and computational process and apply appropriate measures to improve students' reading and computational performance.

(e)  Recognize patterns of physical, social, emotional, and intellectual development in students, including exceptional students in the regular classroom.

(f)  Recognize and demonstrate awareness of the educational needs of students who have limited proficiency in English and employ appropriate teaching strategies.

(g)  Use and integrate appropriate technology in teaching and learning processes and in managing, evaluating, and improving instruction.

(h)  Use assessment and other diagnostic strategies to assist the continuous development and acquisition of knowledge and understanding of the learner.

(i)  Use teaching and learning strategies that include consideration of each student's learning styles, needs, and background.

(j)  Demonstrate the ability to maintain a positive, collaborative relationship with students' families to increase student achievement.

(k)  Recognize signs of tendency toward violence and severe emotional distress in students and apply techniques of crisis intervention.

(l)  Recognize signs of alcohol and drug abuse in students and know how to appropriately work with such students and seek assistance designed to prevent future abuse.

(m)  Recognize the physical and behavioral indicators of child abuse and neglect and know rights and responsibilities regarding reporting.

(n)  Demonstrate the ability to maintain a positive environment in the classroom while achieving order and discipline.

(o)  Demonstrate the ability to grade student performance effectively.

(p)  Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the value of, and strategies for, promoting parental involvement in education.

History.--s. 45, ch. 99-398; s. 7, ch. 2000-301; s. 25, ch. 2000-331.