Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
Technical Assistance Revised Certification Rule Requirements
Educational Leadership, School Principal, and Foreign Language
Rule 6A-4.0081 Florida School Leaders Certification
♦
Text of Amended Rule (see attached)
♦
Implementation Notes:
This is an overview rule that establishes the structure of school leaders’ certification.
The rule retains the current two levels of certification, Level I Educational Leadership
and Level II School Principal. Language regarding a Level III certification is deleted
since that certification coverage has never been implemented nor certification
issued. Technical changes in statutory citations are made.
Rule 6A-4.0082 Specialization Requirements for Certification in Educational
Leadership-Administrative Class.
♦
Text of Amended Rule (see attached)
♦
Implementation Notes:
The rule is amended as follows:
1) The requirement to document three years of teaching experience is eliminated to
provide flexibility for preparation programs and school districts in determining the
amount of teaching experience, if any, that may be required for programs or
employment.
2) The educational leadership core curriculum is revised to align and match the
principal leadership standards that have been approved by the State Board of
Education. The new standards areas reflect the key competencies and skills that
school leaders need today.
3) The multiple pathways for satisfying the core curriculum remain as options. One
new option for satisfying the core curriculum is added: successful completion of a
school district Educational Leadership training program that has been approved
by the Department of Education. Rule 6A-5.081, Approval of School Leadership
Programs includes the criteria for approval of a school district program. That rule
is administered by the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and
Retention. The contact is Kathy Hebda at Kathy.hebda@fldoe.org or 850-245-
0435.
4) The course analysis pathway of thirty semester hours of graduate credit is
revised to require the credit to be earned in the new core curriculum consisting of
the ten principal leadership standard areas.
5) Obsolete selection, screening, and appointment language is removed and
technical statutory citation changes are made.
6) The rule is effective July 1, 2007. This means that applications received on or
after July 1, 2007, in the school district office or in Tallahassee are subject to
meeting the new requirements for certification in Educational Leadership.
Statements of Eligibility for certification in Educational Leadership based on
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
applications that were or are received prior to July 1, 2007, remain under the old
rule requirements for the validity period of the statement.
Rule 6A-4.0083 School Principal-Administrative Class.
♦
Text of Amended Rule (see attached)
♦
Implementation Notes:
The rule is amended as follows:
1) The school principal certification program remains a school district level training
program. However, the district training programs under the direction and
guidelines from the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development, and
Retention will need to be revised to align to the new principal leadership
standards.
2) The requirement that the full-time employee be assigned to a specific position of
assistant principal, intern principal, or interim principal for not less than one
school year is revised to indicate the training program may be completed in
positions such as those but possibly in other positions where the principal
competencies may be fully demonstrated. The time required for completion is no
longer one year but is open and flexible depending upon the individual
requirements. The timeline may be more or less than one full year.
3) Obsolete language and invalid references to repealed statutes are eliminated.
4) The rule is effective July 1, 2007. Verification of completion of a district school
principal certification program is through Form CT-125. Revision of existing
programs under Rule 6A-5.081, including timelines for revision, will be
administered by staff in the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and
Retention, who will be publishing technical assistance under separate cover.
Contact Henry Pollock, Program Director, for more information at 850-245-0546
or henry.pollock@fldoe.org.
Rule 6A-4.0084 Professional School Principal-Administrative Class.
The rule is repealed.
Rule 6A-4.0243 Specialization for Certification in Foreign Language (Grades K-
12)—Academic Class.
♦
Text of Amended Rule (see attached)
♦
Implementation Notes:
The rule is amended as follows:
A fourth plan for meeting foreign language subject specialization requirements is
added to subsection (1) of the rule. The new plan is a bachelor’s or higher degree
and documentation of successful completion of the Basic Program of the Defense
Language Institute of the United States Department of Defense in one of these
modern languages: Chinese, French, German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese,
Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish. The amended rule is effective June 20, 2007.
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
6A-4.0081 Florida School Principal Leaders Certification.
The Florida school principal leaders certification program shall be performance-based
and shall include three (3) two levels of certification based on demonstrated knowledge,
performance, and results. The subject area examination required for issuance of the
professional certificate as specified in subparagraph 6A-4.004(1)(a)11., F.A.C., Section
1012.56(4)(c), Florida Statutes, shall be a requirement for Level 1 Certification.
(1) Level 1 Certification shall be designated Educational Leadership. Requirements
for certification in educational leadership are listed in Rule 6A-4.0082, F.A.C., and
include successful demonstration of knowledge in each of eight (8) areas of public
school administration the principal leadership standards as described in paragraph 6A-
4.0082(3) (2)(a), F.A.C. Documentation of knowledge in each of the areas shall be by
comprehensive written examination administered under the direction of the Department.
(2) Level 2 Certification shall be designated School Principal. Requirements for
certification as school principal are listed in Rule 6A-4.0083, F.A.C., and include
successful performance of the duties of the school principalship as described in Rule 6A-
4.0083, F.A.C. Documentation of successful performance shall be by a comprehensive
performance appraisal system approved by the district school board and the
Department.
(3) Level 3 Certification shall be designated Professional School Principal.
Requirements for certification as professional school principal are listed in Rule 6A-
4.0084, F.A.C., and require the applicant to achieve superior results for a period of three
(3) years or more in the same district as described in Rule 6A-4.0084, F.A.C.
Documentation of superior results shall be by a comprehensive performance appraisal
system approved by the district school board and the Department.
(4) (3) The term principal as used in Rules 6A-4.0081 through 6A-4.0085, F.A.C.,
means a person assigned responsibility for administrative direction and instructional
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
leadership and supervision at an individual school as prescribed in Section
228.041(10)(b)1., Section 1012.01(3)(c)1., Florida Statutes. This does not include
persons assigned these responsibilities in the role of assistant, intern, or interim
principal.
(5) (4) Educational Leadership may be shown on a temporary or professional
certificate. School Principal and Professional School Principal may be shown on a
professional certificate with other areas of certification or shown individually without
other areas of certification.
(6) (5)Certification coverage of school principal and professional school principal
shall cover all positions covered by certification in administration, supervision,
administration and supervision and educational leadership.
(6) The rule shall be effective July 1, 2007.
Specific Authority 229.053(1), 231.15(1), 231.17(1) 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law
Implemented
231.02, 231.0861, 231.087(3)(e), 231.15, 213.17
1001.02, 1012.55,
1012.56 FS. History–New 7-1-86, Formerly 6A-4.081, Amended 7-1-86, 10-31-88.
6A-4.0082 Specialization Requirements for Certification in Educational Leadership
- Administrative Class.
(1) Verification of three (3) years of successful teaching experience in an elementary
or secondary school. Verification shall be by the chief executive officer of the school
district, state supported school, or nonpublic school in which the teaching experience
occurred.
(2) (1) A master’s or higher degree awarded by a standard an acceptable institution
as defined in subsection Rule 6A-4.003(1), F.A.C.
(3) (2) Successful completion of the Florida Educational Leadership Core Curriculum.
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
(a) The Educational Leadership core curriculum consists of the eight (8) areas of
educational administration specified below:
following principal leadership standard
areas:
1. Public School Curriculum and Instruction. Instructional leadership,
2.
Organizational Management and Development. Managing the learning
environment,
3. Human Resource Management and Development, Learning, accountability, and
assessment,
4. Leadership Skills Decision making strategies,
5. Communiatication Skills Technology,
6. Technology. Human resource development,
7. Educational Law. Ethical leadership,
8. Educational Finance. Vision,
9. Community and stakeholder partnerships, and
10. Diversity.
(b) Documentation of successful completion of the Florida Educational Leadership
Core Curriculum shall be by one (1) of the following plans:
1. Successful completion of an a Department of Education approved Florida
preservice program in educational leadership offered by a standard an acceptable
institution as defined in subsection 6A.4.003(1), F.A.C. A newly-created state institution
that meets approval requirements described in Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C. shall be
considered as having met the accreditation requirement.
2. A graduate degree major in educational administration, administration and
supervision, or educational leadership awarded by a standard an acceptable institution
as defined in subsection Rule 6A-4.003(1), F.A.C.
3. A graduate degree with a major in a subject other than educational administration,
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
administration and supervision or educational leadership, and successful completion of
an a Department of Education approved modified Florida program in educational
leadership offered by a standard an acceptable institution as defined in subsection 6A-
4.003(1), F.A.C. A newly-created state institution that meets approval requirements
described in Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C., shall be considered as having met the accreditation
requirement.
4. A graduate degree with a major in a subject other than educational administration,
administration and supervision, or educational leadership awarded by an acceptable
institution as defined in Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C., and thirty (30) semester hours of
graduate credit which includes credit in each of the eight areas of educational
administration principal leadership standard areas specified in paragraph (3) (2) (a) of
this rule and an internship or a course with associated field experience in educational
leadership.
5. Successful completion of an Educational Leadership training program approved by
the Department of Education and offered by a Florida public school district.
(4) Using the objective screening, selection, and appointment procedures of the
district school board approved under Section 231.0861(2), Florida Statutes, persons
holding certification in educational leadership, administration, or administration and
supervision may be appointed to perform the duties of an intern assistant principal,
assistant principal, intern principal or interim principal. A person holding the certification
coverages listed above, school principal or professional school principal, may be
appointed under district school board procedures to administrative positions which are
not assigned to a school.
(5) Out-of-state experienced educational administrators who have a master’s degree
or higher in educational administration and supervision from a standard institution and
who are employed for a district level position by a Florida school board shall be eligible
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
for a temporary certificate covering educational leadership.
(3) The rule shall become effective July 1, 2007.
Specific Authority 229.053(1), 231.15(3), 231.17(1), 236.0811(2)(a) 1001.02, 1012.55,
1012.56 FS. Law Implemented 231.02, 231.0861, 231.087(3)(e), 231.145, 231.15,
231.17, 236.0811 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. History–New 7-1-86, Formerly 6A-
4.082, Amended 10-31-88, 9-12-89, 7-17-00.
6A-4.0083 School Principal - Administrative Class.
To be eligible to receive certification as a school principal, an individual shall satisfy each
of the following requirements:
(1) Hold a valid professional certificate covering educational leadership,
administration, or administration and supervision.
(2) Document successful performance of the duties of the school principalship.
These duties shall be performed in an a Department of Education approved district
management training and development program school principal certification program
pursuant to Rule 6A-5.081, F.A.C. designed and implemented consistent with the
principal leadership standards approved by the State Board of Education. with the
program described in the publication titled, Preparing New Principals, 1985, approved by
the Florida Council on Educational Management, which is hereby incorporated and
made a part of this rule. In addition, these duties shall:
(a) Be performed as a full-time employee of a district school board and assigned to
perform the duties of an assistant principal, intern principal, or an interim principal for a
period of not less than one (1) full school year which is ten (10) months or more in length
in a leadership position through which the candidate can fully demonstrate the
competencies associated with the Florida Principal Leadership Standards.
(b) Be a formally planned professional development program designed and
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
implemented to prepare the individual to become effectively perform as a school
principal.
(c) Be comprehensive of all the duties of the school principalship.
(d) Be performed under the direct supervision of a currently practicing school
principal or district manager who has been approved by the district school board to serve
as the supervising principal or manager for this program.
(3) Demonstrate successful performance of the competencies of the school
principalship standards which shall be documented by the Florida district school
superintendent based on a performance appraisal system approved by the district
school board and the Department pursuant to Rule 6A-5.081, F.A.C. The performance
appraisal system shall be consistent with Guidelines for District Performance Appraisal
Systems, January, 1985, approved by the Florida Council on Educational Management,
which is hereby incorporated and made a part of this rule. A comprehensive
performance appraisal system:
(a) Has clearly stated purposes.
(b) Promotes individual and organizational growth.
(c) Is used for personnel decisions.
(d) Is fair, equitable and legally sound.
(e) Provides for negotiation of expectations in relation to situations.
(f) Values appraisee input.
(g) Requires planning, feedback, and coaching.
(h) Has procedures for collection and retrieval of data for decision making.
(i) Links rewards to performance.
(j) Establishes criteria for assessment.
(k) Provides training and orientation of participants.
(4) An individual who holds a valid Florida Educator’s Certificate covering
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
administration or administration and supervision issued prior to July 1, 1986 and served
as a school principal prior to July 1, 1986 for not less than one (1) school year may apply
for certification as a school principal under the provisions of Rule 6A-4.0085, F.A.C.
(5) Only individuals who meet the requirements for certification as a school principal
shall be appointed by a district school board to the position of school principal; however,
when deemed by the school board to be necessary and in the best interests of the
students of the school, an individual who holds a certificate in educational leadership,
administration or administration and supervision, including experienced out-of-state
principals as provided by Section 231.0861(4), Florida Statutes, may on the basis of
objective screening and appointment procedures as provided in Section 231.0861,
Florida Statutes, be appointed as an interim principal for a period not to exceed one (1)
year during which the individual must successfully demonstrate performance of the
duties of the principalship as provided in subsection 6A-4.0083(2), F.A.C.
(6) Individuals who do not meet the requirements for certification as school principal
but who hold valid certificates covering educational leadership, administration, or
administration and supervision may, subject to the procedures established by each
district school board, apply for vacancies of intern assistant principal, assistant principal,
intern principal, interim principal, and other positions for which this certification coverage
is valid.
(7) All principals, intern principals, and assistant principals appointed by each district
school board shall be selected and appointed using an objective-based process which
documents that the applicant possesses the competencies necessary for successful
performance of the duties as required by Section 231.0861, Florida Statutes. The
objective-based process for screening, selection, and appointment shall be consistent
with Criteria for School District Screening, Selection, and Appointment Process for
Principals and Assistant Principals, September, 1984, approved by the Florida Council
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
on Educational Management, which is hereby incorporated and made a part of this rule.
(5) The rule shall be effective July 1, 2007.
Specific Authority 229.053(1), 231.15(1), 231.17(1) 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law
Implemented
231.02, 231.0861, 231.087(3)(e), 231.15, 231.17
1001.02, 1012.55,
1012.56 FS. History–New 7-1-86, Formerly 6A-4.083, Amended 7-1-86, 10-31-88.
6A-4.0084 Professional School Principal - Administrative Class.
Certification as professional school principal is a voluntary certification. This level of
certification shall be awarded only to those Florida school principals who through the
appropriate application of leadership, managerial, and instructional skills consistently
produce superior results in the schools of which they perform the duties of the
principalship. To be eligible to receive certification as a professional school principal, an
individual shall satisfy each of the following requirements:
(1) Hold a valid professional certificate as a school principal.
(2) Document at least three (3) years of superior results as a principal in the same
Florida public school district. This service must be performed subsequent to July 1,
1986.
(3) Superior performance of the principal shall be documented by the district school
superintendent based on a comprehensive performance appraisal and performance
management system approved by the district school board and the Department. The
performance appraisal system and the performance management system shall be
consistent with Guidelines for District Performance Appraisal Systems, January, 1985,
and Prototype Performance Management System, May, 1984, approved by the Florida
Council on Educational Management which are hereby incorporated and made a part of
this rule.
The rule is repealed.
Specific Authority 229.053(1), 231.15(1), 231.17(1) FS. Law Implemented 231.02,
231.0861, 231.087(3)(e), 231.15, 231.17 FS. History–New 7-1-86, Formerly 6A-4.084,
Amended 10-31-88.
6A-4.0243 Specialization Requirements for Certification in Foreign Language
(Grades K-12)--Academic Class.
(1) Specialization requirements for the following modern languages: Chinese, French,
German, Greek, Hebrew, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.
(a) Plan One. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in
one of the modern languages listed in Subsection (1) of this rule, or
(b) Plan Two. A bachelor's or higher degree with thirty (30) semester hours in one of the
modern languages listed in Subsection (1) of this rule to include credit in the areas
specified below:
Paper Number K-12 2007-108 June 2007
1. History or culture of the people who speak the language as their native language,
2. Literature in the language, and
3. Applied linguistics or second language acquisition, or
(c) Plan Three. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements
completed in in one (1) of the modern languages as specified in Paragraph (1)(a) or (b)
of this rule, and twenty-one (21) semester hours in another one of the modern languages
listed in Subsection (1) of this rule to include credit in the areas specified below:
1. History or culture of the people who speak the language as their native language,
and
2. Literature in the language. ,or
(d) Plan Four. A bachelor’s or higher degree and official documentation of successful
completion of the Basic Program of the Defense Language Institute of the United States
Department of Defense in one of the modern languages listed in subsection (1) of this
rule.
(2) Specialization requirements for Latin.
(a) Plan One. A bachelor's or higher degree with an undergraduate or graduate major in
Latin, or
(b) Plan Two. A bachelor's or higher degree with thirty (30) semester hours in Latin to
include credit in the areas specified below:
1. Latin vocabulary, grammar, and composition,
2. Latin literature, and
3. Roman culture, or
(c) Plan Three. A bachelor's or higher degree with specialization requirements
completed in one (1) of the modern languages as specified in Paragraph (1)(a) or (b) of
this rule, and twenty-one (21) semester hours in Latin to include credit in the areas
specified below:
1. Latin vocabulary, grammar, and composition,
2. Latin literature, and
3. Roman culture.
Specific Authority 1001.02, 1012.55, 1012.56 FS. Law Implemented 1001.02, 1012.54,
1012.55, 1012.56 FS. History - New 7-1-90, Amended 7-17-2000, 4-17-2002.