The Florida Senate

231.0861  Principals and assistant principals; selection.--

(1)  The Legislature recognizes that the principal is the administrative and instructional leader of a public school. The Legislature further recognizes that strong, competent principals can improve our public schools. For this reason, it is imperative that public school principals be selected from those candidates who have been evaluated and certified as possessing the competencies deemed necessary for success in the field.

(2)  By July 1, 1986, each district school board shall adopt and implement an objective-based process for the screening, selection, and appointment of assistant principals and principals in the public schools of this state which meets the criteria approved by the Florida Council on Educational Management. Each school district may contract with other local school districts, agencies, associations, or universities to conduct the assessments, evaluations, and training programs required under this section.

(3)  Candidates for the position of assistant principal or principal in the public schools of this state must have satisfactorily met the written examination and performance requirements adopted by the State Board of Education for certification. Effective July 1, 1993, candidates for the position of principal or assistant principal in public secondary schools must also demonstrate knowledge of the role of ¹career education in secondary schools. Such State Board of Education rules must include provisions for those persons who became certified prior to June 24, 1984. Such State Board of Education rules shall also include provisions for superintendents, assistant superintendents, and area superintendents with certification rights equal to those of principals.

(4)  An out-of-state certified and experienced assistant principal or principal employed in the public schools of this state is required to serve 1 year as an intern or interim assistant principal or principal while the required performance assessment of basic and high performing competencies is completed.

(5)  The Department of Education shall maintain and make available to a district, upon request, a list of certified candidates for the position of assistant principal or principal at no charge to the district.

History.--ss. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, ch. 84-336; s. 1, ch. 89-207; s. 38, ch. 92-136.

¹Note.--The term "career education" was substituted for the term "vocational education" by the editors pursuant to the directive of the Legislature in s. 16, ch. 94-232.