FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
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STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION
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John L. Winn
Commissioner of Education
F. PHILIP HANDY,
Chairman
T. WILLARD FAIR,
Vice Chairman
Members
DONNA G. CALLAWAY
JULIA L. JOHNSON
ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ
PHOEBE RAULERSON
LINDA K. TAYLOR
DATE:
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December 29, 2005
TO:
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College of Education Deans and Directors
District Supervisors of Alternative Certification Programs
Directors of Educator Preparation Institutes
FROM:
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John L. Winn
SUBJECT:
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Proposed Revisions to Rule 6A-5.066, Approval of Teacher Preparation Programs
Please find attached the proposed revisions to State Board of Education Rule 6A-5.066, FAC. These
revisions present Florida’s performance-based and forward-looking vision of teacher preparation and will
remove for Florida institutions any barriers to increasing the number of highly effective teachers supplied
to our public schools.
The two guiding principles for the revisions were flexibility in program design and accountability for the
performance of program completers based upon student achievement. For consistency between proposed
revisions and the guiding principles, the rule development committee reviewed the public feedback
provided during rule development workshops last summer. The proposed rule now implements three
sections of Florida Statutes that authorize different types of preparation programs:
S. 1004.04, F.S., governing the approval of preservice full certification programs
S. 1012.56, F.S., requiring all school districts to provide competency-based alternative certification
programs; and,
S. 1004.85, F.S., authorizing institutions to offer alternative certification programs through Educator
Preparation Institutes.
In addition, the amended rule will provide a means to recognize that institutions prepare individuals for
teaching who take education course work outside an approved program. Under the proposed rule,
institutions that provide full certification programs under s. 1004.04 have the choice to offer an approved
professional training option, which may be offered as a minor in education, for students outside their
college of education who go on to apply for a Temporary Certificate. To ensure continuous program
improvement, data will be collected on program completers in all types of preparation programs through
which institutions and districts prepare teachers.
325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 1514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0505 • www.fldoe.org
Proposed Revisions to Rule 6A-5.066
December 29, 2005
Page Two
It is my expectation that these rule changes will be the catalyst for great innovation and improved
production in all of our preparation programs. I trust that you believe as I do that each of Florida’s
students deserves a highly effective teacher and that our own teacher educators and preparation programs
should be the standard bearers for the very best in modeling and assessing effective teaching. I look
forward to our continued partnership in increasing the achievement of Florida’s students.
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