FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
    JIM HORNE
    Commissioner of Education
     
      
     
     
     
    STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
      
     
    F. PHILIP HANDY,
    Chairman
     
    T. WILLARD FAIR,
    Vice Chairman
     
     
    Members
     
    SALLY BRADSHAW
     
    LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.
     
    CHARLES PATRICK GARCÍA
     
    JULIA L. JOHNSON
     
    WILLIAM L. PROCTOR, PH.D.
      
     
     
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
      
    Contact
    :
    Name:
      
    Beverly
    Gregory
    Phone:
      
    850/245-0431
    Email:
      
    edcert@fldoe.org
      
     
    June 9, 2003
     
     
    TO:
     
      
    School District Superintendents
    Certification
    Contact
    Persons
     
      
    Deans and Directors of Teacher Education
     
    FROM:
    Jim
    Warford
     
    SUBJECT:
     
    Certification Legislative Changes and Subject Area Rule Changes
     
     
    This memorandum is sent to provide information regarding changes enacted by the 2003
    Legislature in Senate Bill 30A and the recent rules approved by the State Board of Education.
    This information is the first level to be provided as soon after the end of the special session as
    possible. More detailed information and procedures will be forthcoming through additional
    documents, meetings, and training sessions. During the next few months, our most heavy
    workload period, your continued support and cooperation are greatly needed and appreciated.
     
    JW/bg
     
    Attachment
     
     
     
     
    JIM WARFORD
    CHANCELLOR K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS
     
     
    325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 501 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0420 • www.fldoe.org
     

     
    Part I
      
    Law Changes Effective July 1, 2003
     
    Section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, Educator Certification Requirements (with applications
    received beginning July 1, 2003)
     
    Changes in the Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE)
     
    The validity period for a SOE is changed from 2 years to 3 years from the date of issuance.
    The current provision to reapply for a reissued SOE within one year of the expiration (grace)
    of a SOE to remain under old laws and rules is eliminated. At the end of the three-year
    validity period of a SOE if a certificate has not been issued, a new application for the subject
    will be processed under the laws and rules in effect at the date of re-application.
     
    Changes in Mastery of General Knowledge
     
    Reciprocity is streamlined. A valid standard certificate issued by another state will satisfy
    the general knowledge requirement. Two years of teaching experience is no longer required.
    A valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will
    satisfy the general knowledge requirement. A valid certificate from another state is no longer
    required.
    Two semesters of successful college teaching experience at an acceptable community
    college, state university, or private college that awards an associate’s or higher degree will
    satisfy the general knowledge requirement. The CG-10 application form will be revised to
    add a section for college teaching experience. The college teaching experience as listed on
    the revised application form will be acceptable verification if all information required is
    provided.
     
    Changes in Mastery of Subject Knowledge
     
    Reciprocity is streamlined. A valid standard certificate issued by another state will satisfy
    the subject knowledge requirement for a comparable Florida subject area. Two years of
    teaching experience is no longer required.
    A valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will
    satisfy the subject knowledge requirement for a comparable Florida subject area. A valid
    certificate from another state is no longer required.
     
    Changes in Mastery of Professional Preparation and Education Competence
     
    Reciprocity is streamlined. A valid standard certificate issued by another state will satisfy
    the professional preparation and education competence requirement. Two years of teaching
    experience is no longer required.
    A valid certificate issued by the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards will
    satisfy the professional preparation and education competence requirement. A valid
    certificate from another state is no longer required.
     
    Page 2

     
    Two semesters of successful college teaching experience at an acceptable community
    college, state university, or private college that awards an associate’s or higher degree will
    satisfy the professional preparation and education competence requirement. The CG-10
    application will be revised to add a section for college teaching experience. The college
    teaching experience as listed on the revised application form will be acceptable verification if
    all information required is provided.
     
    Section 1012.57, Florida Statutes, Adjunct Educator Certificate Revisions
     
    District school boards are required to adopt rules to allow for issuance of an adjunct
    certificate.
    The subject area expertise requirement may be satisfied only by earning a passing score on
    the Florida subject area test. A minor or subject area expertise as established by the school
    board are no longer acceptable options.
    The 60 inservice points or 3 semester hours college credit is no longer required for issuance
    of another adjunct certificate. However, the applicant must have received satisfactory
    performance evaluations for each year taught under an adjunct certificate in order to have an
    adjunct certificate reissued.
     
    Section 1012.585, Florida Statutes, Renewal of Professional Certificates
     
    There is no substantive change. Language is added to clarify current application procedures
    and courses that are already required by law or rule: an application and fee must be
    submitted for renewal, and courses in scientifically researched, knowledge-based reading
    literacy and computational skills acquisition are appropriate renewal courses.
     
    Section 1012.586, Florida Statutes, Additions to Certificates, Duplicate Certificates, and
    Name Changes (a new law).
     
    School districts are authorized to issue certificates for district employees via the district web-
    based application as follows:
    1.
    an addition of a subject area to a valid Professional Certificate based on a passing score
    earned on a bachelor’s level Florida subject area test,
    2.
    an addition of an endorsement to a valid Temporary or Professional Certificate based on a
    complete CF-115 form for the inservice core components or approved add-on
    endorsement program requirements,
    3.
    a duplicate of a valid certificate, and
    4.
    a change in name on a valid certificate.
     
    The details of implementation, time lines, and information regarding the technology system
    modifications will be forthcoming in the summer. Rules will be developed and presented to
    the State Board for approval to establish the school district charge for the services. It is
    proposed that the same payment schedule as renewal will apply for the additions. The
    district would retain $36 and remit $20 to Tallahassee for system and web application
    maintenance, printing, and mailing, etc. It will be recommended that the district retain $13
    of the $20 fee for processing the duplicate certificate and name change on a certificate.
     
    Page 3

     
     
     
     
     
     
    Part II
    Changes in Certification Structure and a Transition Period (State Board
    Rules Effective July 1, 2003)
     
    The following information is sent as a review of information that has been previously provided.
    These changes are the final phase of the streamline certification structure initiative.
     
    Physical Education (PE) grades K-12 Rule 6A-4.0283, FAC.
     
    Physical Education K-8 and Physical Education 6-12 subject coverages are repealed as of
    June 30, 2003, and are replaced by Physical Education K-12.
    Beginning July 1, 2003, applicants will apply for Physical Education K-12 for initial or for
    add-on certification. Applications received beginning July 1, 2003, will not be accepted for
    Physical Education K-8 or 6-12. After June 30, 2003, applications that request Physical
    Education K-8 or 6-12 will be processed for Physical Education K-12. Majors or programs
    at the K-8 level, 6-12 level or K-12 level will be accepted for Physical Education K-12.
     
    Physical Education Subject Area Examination Transition Procedures for Applicants before
    July 1, 2003, and State-Approved Program Graduates:
     
    An examination transition period for Physical Education K-8 and 6-12 will be in effect until
    July 1, 2005. Applications received before July 1, 2003, under old rules, will have until June
    30, 2005, to present a passing score on the appropriate PE K-8 or 6-12 level subject area test.
    Graduates of Florida state-approved teacher preparation programs in PE K-8 or 6-12 who
    apply for Physical Education K-12 July 1, 2003, through June 30, 2005, have an option of
    taking the appropriate Physical Education K-8 or 6-12 subject area test or the Physical
    Education K-12 test.
    To add PE K-8 or PE 6-12 by subject area exam, an application must be received between
    July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, and the passing score on the appropriate PE K-8 or PE 6-12
    exam earned after July 1, 2002, and before July 1, 2005.
    To add PE K-12 by subject area exam, an application must be submitted after July 1, 2003,
    and the PE K-12 exam passed.
    The Physical Education K-8 and 6-12 subject area tests will be not offered after June 30,
    2005.
     
    Social Science (grades 6-12) Rule 6A-4.03321, FAC.
     
    The separate areas of Social Science: History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology,
    Psychology, and Economics 6-12 are repealed as of June 30, 2003.
     
    Page 4

     
     
    Page 5
    Beginning July 1, 2003, applicants will apply for Social Science 6-12 for initial or for add-on
    certification. Applications received beginning July 1, 2003, will not be accepted for the
    separate areas of social science 6-12. After June 30, 2003, applications that request one of
    the separate areas of social science will be processed for Social Science 6-12. Majors or
    approved programs in one of the separate areas of social science will be accepted for
    specialization requirements for Social Science 6-12.
     
    Social Science Separate Areas Subject Area Examination Transition Procedures for
    Applicants before July 1, 2003, and State-Approved Program Graduates:
     
    An examination transition period for the separate areas of social science 6-12 will be in effect
    until July 1, 2005. Applications received before July 1, 2003, under old rules, will have until
    June 30, 2005, to present a passing score on the appropriate social science separate area 6-12
    level subject test. Graduates of Florida state-approved teacher preparation programs in a
    separate area of social science who apply for Social Science 6-12 July 1, 2003, through June
    30, 2005, have an option of taking the Social Science 6-12 subject area test or the
    appropriate subject area test in the separate area of social science through June 30, 2005.
    To add a separate area of social science by subject area exam, an application must be
    received for the separate area between July 1, 2002, and June 30, 2003, and the passing score
    on the subject area exam earned after July 1, 2002, and before July 1, 2005.
    To add Social Science 6-12 (broad field) by subject area exam, an application for Social
    Science 6-12 must be received July 1, 2002, or after and the passing score earned on the
    Social Science subject area exam must be earned after July 1, 2002.
    The History, Geography, Political Science, Sociology, Psychology, and Economics 6-12
    subject area tests will be not offered after June 30, 2005.
     
    Separate Areas of Science 6-12
     
    The proposed new comprehensive Science 6-12 certification has been repealed by the State
    Board and will not be implemented. The current four separate areas of science (Biology,
    Chemistry, Physics, and Earth-Space Science) will remain in effect.
     
    Florida Teacher Certification Examination News
     
    Middle Grades Integrated Curriculum Test is to be offered with test administrations beginning
    July 1, 2003.
     
    An updated, revised Professional Education Test is to be offered with test administrations
    beginning July 1, 2003.
     
     

    Back to top