FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

 

 

 

S

  

TATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

 

F. PHILIP HANDY,

Chairman

 

T. WILLARD FAIR,

Vice Chairman

 

 

Members

 

 

DONNA G. CALLAWAY

 

LINDA J. EADS, ED.D.

 

CHARLES PATRICK GARCIA

 

JULIA L. JOHNSON

 

 

LINDA K. TAYLOR

 

 

JOHN L. WINN

Commissioner of Education

 

  

 

 

 

M E M O R A N D U M

 

 

DATE:

December 23, 2004

 

TO:

College and University Deans and Directors of Teacher Preparation Programs

 

  

Community College Council of Academic Vice Presidents

 

  

District Directors of Staff Development

District

Certification

Contacts

 

FROM:

John L. Winn, Commissioner

 

SUBJECT:

Educator Preparation Institutes

 

The quality of the classroom teacher is the key element of student achievement, and Florida’s

need to prepare, recruit and retain high quality teachers in sufficient numbers to staff our

classrooms becomes increasingly difficult each year. Projections show that our shortage will

grow from serious to acute in the 2006-07 school year under the full implementation of the class

size amendment, with approximately 30,000 vacant teaching positions to fill.

 

Senate Bill 2986 (2004) provided the authority for accredited or approved postsecondary

institutions to establish Educator Preparation Institutes to offer high quality competency-based

alternative teacher preparation, professional development, and training for substitute teachers

and paraprofessionals. The alternative certification programs offered through these Institutes

are an important element in the strategy to prepare high quality teachers and are a prime

example of the vision for the current system of quality teacher preparation and certification in

Florida: providing flexibility in the delivery system while focusing on high, demonstrable

standards as the outcome for the participants.

 

The Department is pleased to provide the attached documents outlining the implementation of

Educator Preparation Institutes in accordance with s. 1004.85, Florida Statutes. Participation is

voluntary and there is no deadline for an institution to submit an application, as this opportunity

 

 

 

325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org

 

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Memorandum

December 23, 2004

 

 

will be ongoing. Approval by the Department is required for each Institute and alternative

certification program. The attached Application Guidelines and Evaluation Criteria explain the

required approval process and provide information to assist with submission of an application.

An Application Cover Sheet is attached that provides a list of individuals within the Department

who may be contacted for assistance.

 

This is an exciting opportunity for all of our institutions, teachers and schools. Preparing the

implementation of the Institutes has been a great opportunity for collaboration in our K-20

system. I am confident that we will continue to work together to bring high quality instruction

and greater opportunity to all of Florida’s educators and students.

 

JLW/kh

 

Attachments: Application

Cover

Sheet

Application

Guidelines

Application

Evaluation

Criteria

 

cc: SUS

Presidents

SUS Council of Academic Vice Presidents

Carolyn Roberts, Chair, Board of Governors