John Winn, Commissioner
    Florida Department of Education
    Jim Warford, Chancellor
    K-12 Public Schools
    Educator Preparation Institute
    Application Evaluation Criteria
     
    October 2004
     
     
    Senate Bill 2986, Education Personnel, 2004, S.1004.85, F.S.
    Educator Preparation Institute Application Evaluation Criteria
     
    Section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, requires that a qualified institution seeking to provide teacher training
    through an Educator Preparation Institute must seek approval from the Department of Education to do so.
    The Department is therefore publishing Application Guidelines to assist institutes with the application
    process and has developed criteria for the evaluation of applications once they are received.
     
    Applications must be evaluated and either approved or returned to the institution with information specifying
    deficiencies within 90 days of receipt. Application evaluations will be conducted in the Department by a
    committee that includes representation from the Division of K-12 Public Schools, the Division of Community
    Colleges, and the Division of Colleges and Universities, as well as from Independent Colleges and
    Universities of Florida (ICUF). Guidelines were created to assist institutions with preparing and submitting
    an application based upon the requirements in statute.
     
    When received, each application will be reviewed for sufficient evidence that the institution is prepared to
    offer the type or types of training available through these Institutes that the institution has chosen to offer.
    Each criterion will be determined by the committee to have been “met” or “not met” based upon the
    evidence presented in the application. All criteria must be considered by the committee to be met for the
    program to receive approval. Applications with a deficiency(ies) will be returned to the institution with a
    brief explanation of why the evidence was determined to have been insufficient. Any institution whose
    application is returned with deficiencies may resubmit the application for further review at any time.
     
    Educator Preparation Institute Application Evaluation Criteria
    1. Accreditation or Approval Status
    Evidence that the institution is an accredited or approved Florida institution
    based upon Chapter 6A-4.003, FAC.
    2.a. Preparedness of the institution
    to offer professional
    development instruction to
    assist teachers in improving
    classroom instruction and in
    meeting certification
    requirements
    Evidence that the institution:
    ƒ
      
    Has established a relationship with an entity that holds an approved Master
    Inservice Plan
    ƒ
      
    Will be delivering training in accordance with the Florida Professional
    Development Protocol and the School Community Professional
    Development Act, section 1012.98, F.S.
    ƒ
      
    Understands the requirements for adding a subject to and renewing a
    Florida Educator’s Certificate, if the institute will be offering professional
    development for these purposes
    2.b. Preparedness of the institution
    to offer instruction to assist
    potential and existing substitute
    teachers in performing their
    duties
    Evidence that the institution is prepared to offer training for new or experienced
    substitute teachers that is described in and required by section 1012.35, F.S., as
    amended in 2004.
     
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    2.c. Preparedness of the institution
    to offer instruction to assist
    paraprofessionals in meeting
    education and training
    requirements
    Evidence that the institution is prepared to offer to individuals seeking to become
    paraprofessionals:
    ƒ
      
    A plan of study leading to an associate’s or higher degree
    ƒ
      
    A plan of study for two years of attendance and earned college credit, or
    ƒ
      
    Courses or modules that prepare participants to demonstrate on a formal
    academic assessment knowledge of and the ability to assist in instructing:
    reading/language arts, writing, and mathematics or reading readiness,
    writing readiness, and mathematics readiness, as appropriate.
    2.d. Preparedness of the institution
    to offer instruction for
    baccalaureate degree holders to
    become certified teachers
    through competency-based
    alternative certification
    programs
    Evidence that the institution:
    ƒ
      
    Has provided for a system of instructional delivery and program completion
    that determines the success of participants based upon their demonstration
    of required competencies (“competency-based”)
    ƒ
      
    Has an assessment system to support competency-based instruction
    ƒ
      
    Provides for instruction in
    -
     
    professional knowledge
    -
     
    subject matter content requirements, as appropriate
    -
     
    the Educator Accomplished Practices
    -
     
    competencies specified in State Board Rule
    -
     
    professional competency testing requirements
    -
     
    competencies associated with teaching scientifically-based reading
    instruction and strategies that research has shown to be successful in
    improving reading among low-performing students.
    ƒ
      
    Has provided for field experiences within the program of study and
    partnership(s) with entities which can provide K-12 instructional settings for
    participants to practice and demonstrate required competencies, including
    an opportunity for all participants to fully demonstrate their ability to teach
    the subject area for which they are seeking certification
    ƒ
      
    Has employed or contracted with faculty who hold a master’s degree in
    education or a master’s degree in a related field and have documented
    teaching experience
    ƒ
      
    Can ensure that all program completers have received a Statement of
    Status of Eligibility or Temporary Certificate, participated in field
    experiences appropriate to their educational plans, earned a passing score
    on the Florida Professional Education Test, fully demonstrated the ability to
    teach the subject in which they are seeking certification, and are awarded a
    credential from the institution verifying completion of the requirements of
    s. 1012.56(5), F.S.
    ƒ
      
    Has provided a method of funding for the program.
    ƒ
      
    Has established a method to collect all of the following information about
    each program completer which will be collected by the Department
    annually for use in continued program approval:
    -
     
    Pass rates on all examinations required for teacher certification
    -
     
    Employment rates
    -
     
    Longitudinal retention rates
    -
     
    Employer satisfaction surveys.
     
     
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