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K12-2007-162.pdf
K12-2007-162 attachment 1.pdf

FLORIDA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION

Jeanine Blomberg

T. WILLARD FAIR,

Chairman

Commissioner of Education

Members

DONNA G. CALLAWAY

DR. AKSHAY DESAI

ROBERTO MARTÍNEZ

PHOEBE RAULERSON

Contact Information:

KATHLEEN SHANAHAN

Kathryn S. Hebda

LINDA K. TAYLOR

(850) 245-0435

Kathy.Hebda@fldoe.org

K12: 2007

-162

MEMORANDUM

TO:

College of Education Deans and Directors

Directors of College and University Educational Leadership Programs

Professional Development

FROM:

Cheri Pierson Yecke, Ph.D.

DATE:

September 27, 2007

SUBJECT:

ADOPTION OF RULE 6A-5.081, APPROVAL OF SCHOOL LEADERSHIP PROGRAMS

The State Board of Education has adopted Rule 6A-5.081, Approval of School Leadership Programs,

which became effective in July of this year. This rule will serve as a major piece of the framework for

improving school leadership and supporting school leaders that is provided for in Section 1012.986,

Florida Statutes, under the William Cecil Golden Program. Further promoting their Strategic Imperatives,

the State Board also adopted revisions to existing rules in Chapter 6A-4 governing the certification

requirements for applicants in the areas of Educational Leadership and School Principal, so that the

certification and program approval processes are aligned. The Bureau of Educator Certification released

a memorandum in July 2007 regarding the specific changes to certification rules.

The new rule is based upon the Florida Principal Leadership Standards adopted in April of 2005 and

continues the state’s two-tiered process for certification of school leaders by establishing the

requirements for approval of programs leading to certification in Educational Leadership (Level I) and

School Principal (Level II) offered by Florida colleges, universities, and school districts. The new rules

provide flexibility in the delivery of programs, while the focus of the program is placed on each candidate’s

application of learning in the school environment and evaluation of his/her performance. A copy of the

new rule is attached to this correspondence and is also available online at

https://www.flrules.org/gateway/ChapterHome.asp?Chapter=6A-5.

The Department has worked with institutions and school districts to establish the standards and indicators

that will be used to evaluate programs under the new rule. There are four types of processes that will be

addressed: (1) initial approval for a new program, (2) “re-approval” of an existing program approved

under prior rules, (3) approval of a modified program in Educational Leadership, and (4) continued

approval processes for all programs. The Department will publish a complete Technical Assistance

CHERI PIERSON YECKE, PH.D.

CHANCELLOR, K-12 PUBLIC SCHOOLS

325 W. GAINES STREET • SUITE 514 • TALLAHASSEE, FL 32399-0400 • (850) 245-0509 • www.fldoe.org

6A-5.081

September 27, 2007

Page Two

Paper subsequent to this memorandum that will include the standards and indicators for evaluating

programs. In addition, the Department will hold a meeting for all program administrators and instructors in

colleges, universities and school districts to review the technical assistance document and approval

processes at the K-12 Conference and Innovation Fair, taking place in Orlando, October 2-5, 2007, at the

Caribe Royale Hotel. The technical assistance meeting will be held October 2, 2007, from 9:00 to

11:00 a.m. in the Boca I Room.

The Florida Educational Leadership Examination (the FELE) has also been revised based upon the

Florida Principal Leadership Standards. In a memorandum released last February, the Department

announced the changes to the FELE and that the revised FELE would be administered beginning with the

July 2008 administration. The Department has also published a draft copy of the revised

mpetencies

and Skills Required for Certification in Educational Leadership in Florida

based upon the significant

changes to the examination’s content. (For up-to-date changes to these

Competencies and Skills

, please

see the following website (http://www.fldoe.org/asp/fele/felecomp.asp). Notification will be released when

the draft competencies are presented to the State Board for final adoption. Based upon the February

memorandum, institutions with currently approved programs in Educational Leadership should be in the

process of revising their programs based upon the approved Principal Leadership Standards and the draft

competencies. Examinees who take the FELE prior to the administration of the revised examination and

passed only one or two subtests out of the three, should be informed that it will be a requirement to take

and pass the revised examination in its entirety.

I. Transition for Institutions and Districts with Programs Currently Approved under Prior Rules

Currently Approved Educational Leadership Programs Offered by Florida Colleges and

Universities.

Currently, all approved Educational Leadership program approval periods have been extended

through

June 30, 2008

. Each institution that offers a program currently approved under prior rules

and wishes to seek continued approval of that program under the new rule, must submit

documentation to verify the program’s transition to new rule requirements no later than

June 1, 2008

. The Department will work with these institutions on the revision of their programs. If

continued approval is met by December 31, 2008, the institution’s approval status will be extended

and the institution will have no break in continued approval status. If continued approval

documentation is not approved by December 31, 2008, the institution’s approval status will be

considered expired as of June 30, 2008, and will not be granted new approval status until the revised

documentation is determined to be acceptable.

Candidates who have enrolled in an approved Educational Leadership program prior to August 2008,

may remain governed by the institution’s program requirements in effect at the time of that

candidate’s enrollment. Individuals who enroll in a program beginning in August 2008, must meet the

new requirements under Rule 6A-5.081, including earning a passing score on the FELE prior to being

considered an approved program completer.

Documentation for re-approval under new standards must include the following:

•

A matrix showing the required program courses where the Principal Leadership Standards

and Competencies and Skills for Educational Leadership are taught and assessed;

•

A description of required field experiences, which includes the course(s) through which they

are offered, the competencies that will be observed in those experiences, and the

collaboration with one or more Florida school districts;

•

The results of the assessment used to establish the needs of the Florida public school

district(s) and state that are to be addressed in the program; and

•

The elements of the William Cecil Golden Program that have been incorporated into the

program, and a plan that monitors continuous program improvement.

6A-5.081

September 27, 2007

Page Three

Currently Approved School Principal programs offered by Florida school districts.

Currently, all approved School Principal program approval periods have been extended through

June 30, 2008

. A district who offers a program currently approved under prior rules and wishes to

seek continued approval of that program under the new rule, must submit documentation to verify the

program’s transition to new rule requirements no later than

June 1, 2008

. The Department will work

with the institutions on the revisions to their programs. If continued approval is met by December 31,

2008, the district will have no break in continued approval status. If continued approval

documentation is not approved by the December deadline, the district’s approval status will be

considered expired as of June 30, 2008. Employees who have enrolled in a district’s approved

program prior to August 2008, may remain governed by program requirements in effect at the time of

that candidate’s enrollment. Individuals who enroll in a program beginning in August 2008, must

meet the new requirements.

Documentation for re-approval under new standards must include the following:

•

A matrix showing the required professional development where the indicators of competency

for the Principal Leadership Standards are taught and assessed;

•

The appraisal instrument(s) used to assess the demonstration of the Standards;

•

The elements of the William Cecil Golden Program that have been incorporated into the

program; and

•

A description of the relationship of the program with the district’s professional development

system and selection process, and a plan for monitoring continuous program improvement.

II.

Institutions and Districts Seeking Approval of a New Program

Applications for approval of a new preparation program in Educational Leadership or School Principal

will be accepted at any time after October 2007. A technical assistance paper outlining the approval

standards and criteria and the process for evaluating initial approval of programs leading to

certification in Educational Leadership and School Principal will be released in the coming weeks.

The flexibility, collaboration, and application required in the new rules provide us with remarkable

opportunities for innovation and improved school performance. I look forward with great anticipation to

receiving information about your revised programs and successes. For additional information concerning

program approval, please contact staff in the Bureau of Educator Recruitment, Development and

Retention as follows:

•

School districts: Henry Pollock at 850-245-0546 or Henry.Pollock@fldoe.org ; and

•

Colleges and Universities: Genae Crump at 850-245-0560 or Genae.Crump@fldoe.org .

CPY:kh

Attachments

6A-5.081 Approval of School Leadership Programs.

The Florida Legislature and State Board of Education recognize multiple pathways for demonstrating the

standards required to qualify for a Professional Florida Educator’s Certificate. To ensure capacity and quality of

pre-service school leadership programs and the development of inservice school leaders required in Section

1012.986, F.S., this rule sets forth requirements for approval of two levels of school leadership programs. Level I

programs lead to initial certification in educational leadership for the purpose of preparing individuals to serve as

school leaders who may aspire to the school principalship. Level II programs build upon Level I training and lead

to certification in School Principal. This bi-level certification and preparation process includes programs offered by

Florida postsecondary institutions and public school districts as described herein.

(1) Level I: Educational Leadership.

(a) General Criteria.

1. An initial certification program in educational leadership approved pursuant to this section shall satisfy

specialization requirements for certification in Educational Leadership pursuant to Rule 6A-4.0082, F.A.C. Each

approval or extension shall be granted for a period of time determined by the Department of Education but shall

not exceed seven (7) years based upon the institution or school district meeting the requirements of this section.

2. Each entity offering an approved program in accordance with this section shall report to the Department

annually the number of participants admitted to and enrolled in the program and the number of program

completers.

(b) Requirements for initial approval of programs offered by Florida postsecondary institutions. Each

institution seeking approval of an initial certification program in educational leadership shall submit a request in

writing from the chief executive officer to the Commissioner providing evidence of all of the following:

1. The institution is a Florida public or nonpublic postsecondary institution that requests approval of an initial

certification program in educational leadership, has legal authority to grant appropriate master’s degrees or higher

in educational leadership or school administration, and meets accreditation requirements as prescribed in

subsection 6A-4.003(1) or paragraph (2)(c), F.A.C.

2. The institution has incorporated into the program objectives which directly respond to needs assessed and

projected for school leaders both in Florida school districts and the state as a whole.

3. The institution has established a comprehensive program that meets the following requirements:

a. Provides instruction in and assesses each candidate’s level of knowledge and application of the

competencies aligned to each of the Florida Principal Leadership Standards, pursuant to Rules 6A-5.080 and 6A-

4.00821, F.A.C. The program description must include in which courses the competencies will be taught and

assessed.

b. Incorporates appropriate elements of the William Cecil Golden Program for School Leaders to ensure a

statewide foundation for leadership development in accordance with Section 1012.986, F.S.

c. Provides for field experiences in K-12 schools designed in collaboration with Florida public schools or

school districts, during which program knowledge is applied and candidates are provided with opportunities to

demonstrate required competencies.

d. Endorses as program completers only candidates who demonstrate all of the Florida Principal Leadership

Standards at the initial certification level and earn passing scores on all portions of the Florida Educational

Leadership Examination required in Section 1012.56, F.S.

4. The institution has employed faculty who are qualified to teach courses required in the program, and who

document annual onsite participation or research in K-12 school settings. Activities must be related to the

program course(s) they teach.

5. The institution has a means for collecting performance data on admitted candidates and program

completers.

6. The institution publishes a description of the qualitative and quantitative requirements for program

completion.

7. The institution may include a modified version of its approved program to be offered to individuals who hold

a master’s or higher degree, provided the institution has a means to document that the completer of the modified

program has met all program requirements of this section. A modified program is not required to terminate in a

degree.

district seeking approval of an initial certification program in educational leadership shall submit a request in

writing from the chief executive officer to the Commissioner providing evidence of all of the following:

1. The district shall offer the initial certification program in educational leadership only to its employees

through its approved professional development system in accordance with Section 1012.98, F.S., and the

requirements of this rule.

2. The district has incorporated into the program objectives which directly respond to needs assessed and

projected for school leaders both in Florida and the district.

3. The district has established a comprehensive program that meets the following requirements:

a. Admits only candidates who hold a master’s degree from an accredited or approved institution as

described in Rule 6A-4.003, F.A.C. Programs may provide for admission of candidates without this degree,

provided that the district’s program documentation includes a process of formally notifying such candidates that

they are not eligible to complete the program without official documentation of the master’s degree.

b. Provides instruction in and assesses each candidate’s level of knowledge and application of the

competencies aligned to the Florida Principal Leadership Standards, pursuant to Rules 6A-5.080 and 6A-

4.00821, F.A.C. The program description must indicate the professional development activities through which the

competencies will be taught and assessed.

c. Incorporates appropriate elements of the William Cecil Golden Program for School Leaders to ensure a

statewide foundation for leadership development in accordance with Section 1012.986, F.S.

d. Provides for field experiences in K-12 schools designed in collaboration with Florida public schools or

school districts, during which program knowledge is applied and candidates are provided with opportunities to

demonstrate required competencies.

e. Endorses as program completers only candidates who hold an acceptable master’s degree, demonstrate

all of the Florida Principal Leadership Standards at the initial certification level, and earn passing scores on all

portions of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination required in Section 1012.56, F.S.

4. The district has employed instructors whom the district has documented are qualified to deliver the

professional development required in the program, based upon degree level and practical experience in school

leadership. Practical experience must be related to the program curriculum taught.

5. The district collaborates with one or more institutions of higher education in the development and/or

delivery of the program.

6. The district has a means for collecting performance data on admitted and enrolled candidates and program

completers.

7. The district publishes a description of the qualitative and quantitative requirements for program completion.

(d) Initial approval determination and notification. The Commissioner shall determine whether the institution

or district has met the criteria for initial approval and shall provide notification in writing of the approval or denial of

approval. A denial of approval shall include identification of specific areas of program weakness that must be

corrected prior to reconsideration for approval. For programs receiving initial approval, the institution or district

shall be apprised of the requirements for continued approval.

(e) Continued program approval.

1. Continued approval of each initial certification program in educational leadership shall be based upon the

Department’s review of the institution’s or school district’s description of its continuous improvement of the

program throughout the approval period as submitted annually through a program evaluation plan. The program

evaluation plan shall be based upon an internal analysis of data collected annually and published for the general

public. The data must include, but are not limited to:

a. Candidate admission, enrollment, and completion data as described in paragraph (1)(a) of this rule;

b. Candidate pass rates on each portion of the Florida Educational Leadership Examination;

c. Candidates’ performance during field experiences;

d. Program completers’ satisfaction with their preparedness for serving in a school-based leadership position

in the first year of such employment after completing the program; and

e. The satisfaction level of school district or public school employers of program completers with the level of

preparedness for the first year of serving in a school leadership position. The description of the level of

satisfaction shall be based on results of a survey of the employers that includes the candidate’s performance

related to the Florida Principal Leadership Standards, the placement rates of program completers, and the rehire

rates of program completers.

2. In the final year of the review cycle the Department shall make a site visit to the district or institution. Prior

to the site visit the institution or district shall provide a summary report to the Department that synthesizes the

data and actions taken as a result of the program evaluation plans issued during the cycle. The Commissioner

will consider the summary report and report of the program approval site visit team to determine whether

continued approval is granted and will notify the institution or district in writing of the decision. A denial of approval

shall include identification of specific areas of program weakness.

(2) Level II: School Principal. Florida public school districts are authorized to seek approval for a program

leading to certification in School Principal pursuant to Rule 6A-4.0083, F.A.C. For purposes of this rule a public

school district is referred to as a “district.”

(a) Initial Approval Requirements. The Department may approve a school district’s School Principal

certification program for a period of time determined by the Department not to exceed seven (7) years. Approval

is based upon the district providing documentation of meeting the following requirements:

1. Admitting only candidates who hold a valid Florida Educator’s Certificate in the area of educational

leadership, education administration, or administration and supervision pursuant to requirements of Rule 6A-

4.0083, F.A.C., and who are employed in a public school within the district in a leadership position through which

the candidate can fully demonstrate the competencies associated with the Florida Principal Leadership

Standards.

2. Delivery of a competency-based developmental program that:

a. Is based upon each individual’s needs using data gathered from self-assessment, selection, and appraisal

instruments aligned to the competencies to be demonstrated in the program to develop the customized learning

plan;

b. Uses district-developed indicators of competency in all Florida Principal Leadership Standards and

provides multiple, job-embedded opportunities for achievement;

c. Incorporates appropriate elements of the William Cecil Golden School Professional Development Program

for School Leaders to ensure a statewide foundation for leadership development pursuant to Section 1012.986,

F.S.;

d. Integrates on-going professional development and the district’s annual appraisal system into program

experiences;

3. A means of collecting continued approval data as described in subparagraph (2)(d) of this rule.

4. An endorsement of program completion by the superintendent for all program participants who fully

demonstrate the Florida Principal Leadership Standards at a level commensurate with full responsibility as head

of a school as described in Section 1012.01(3)(c)1., F.S., and as required by the district’s program.

(b) Initial program approval determination and notification. The Commissioner shall determine whether the

district has met the criteria for initial approval and shall reply with a notification in writing indicating approval or

denial of approval. A denial of approval shall include identification of specific areas of program weakness that

must be corrected prior to reconsideration for approval. For programs receiving initial approval, the district shall

be apprised of the requirements for continued approval.

substantial revisions to its approved School Principal certification program prior to the resubmission of the

program for continued approval, the district should submit those revisions to the Commissioner with a letter

requesting a review. The Commissioner will advise the district in writing whether the revised program remains in

compliance with this rule and of any proposed changes that are not acceptable. This determination and

subsequent program revisions will not affect the approval period previously established for the program.

(d) Continued program approval.

1. Annual reporting. Each district with an approved program in School Principal certification under this rule

will report to the Department annually the individuals who are admitted and enrolled, and who complete the

program. The district will include in the report to the Department the number and type of inservice hours

completed by each participant in curriculum offerings provided by the state through the William Cecil Golden

Professional Development Program for School Leaders.

2. Continued approval review.

a. During the last year of approval of the program, the Department will request of the district documentation

for continued approval review. Documentation shall include results of an analysis of data collected by the district

during each year of approval and a summary of program improvements made during the course of the approval

period. The analysis and summary submitted by the district should include data on program participants as

follows:

(I) Data elements listed in subparagraph (2)(d) of this rule;

(II) Level of satisfaction of the participants and their supervisors with the training received in the program with

regard to their level of preparedness for their employment in a leadership position in the years immediately

following completion of the program;

(III) Evaluation of the effectiveness of the professional development offered through the program in

accordance with the protocol standards for professional development adopted by the state;

(IV) Longitudinal data on program participants including placement rates, rehire rates, retention rates,

performance based on the achievement of their students and other indicators of the success of the school(s)

where they are assigned during the years immediately following completion of the program.

b. After a review of the summary documents, the Commissioner will provide the district with written

verification of the continued approval of the program or denial of approval. If a determination of denial is reached,

the Commissioner must provide the reasons for the determination in accordance with requirements of this rule. A

district whose program is denied continued approval may apply for a new initial approval in accordance with the

requirements in paragraph (2)(a) of this rule.

c. The Department will publish a periodic reporting of the statewide status of programs approved under this

rule.

Specific Authority 1012.98, 1012.986 FS. Law Implemented 1012.986, 1012.56 FS. History–New 6-20-07.