Florida 2024 Regular Session

Florida House Bill H0903 Compare Versions

Only one version of the bill is available at this time.

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10	10	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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14	14	A bill to be entitled 1
15	15	An act relating to educator certifications and 2
16	16	training; amending s. 1004.04, F.S.; revising the core 3
17	17	curricula for certain teacher preparation programs to 4
18	18	include training relating to mass casualty incidents; 5
19	19	amending s. 1004.85, F.S.; requiring certain 6
20	20	postsecondary educator preparation institution 7
21	21	programs to include training relating to mass casualty 8
22	22	incidents; conforming a cross -reference; amending s. 9
23	23	1012.56, F.S.; revising the certified educator 10
24	24	eligibility criteria to require such persons to 11
25	25	receive training in mass casualty incidents; 12
26	26	conforming cross-references; amending s. 1012.57, 13
27	27	F.S.; requiring persons who hold adjunct teaching 14
28	28	certificates to receive training in mass casualty 15
29	29	incidents; creating s. 1012.5841, F.S.; requiring the 16
30	30	Department of Education to develop a list of approved 17
31	31	trainings relating to mass casualty incidents; 18
32	32	beginning in a specified school year, requiring the 19
33	33	department to include such trainings in existing 20
34	34	continuing education and inservice training 21
35	35	requirements for instructional personnel; providing 22
36	36	applicability; authorizing the State Board of 23
37	37	Education to adopt rules; providing an effective date. 24
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40	40	HB 903 2024
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47	47	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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51	51	Be It Enacted by the L egislature of the State of Florida: 26
52	52	27
53	53	Section 1. Paragraph (b) of subsection (2) of section 28
54	54	1004.04, Florida Statutes, is amended to read: 29
55	55	1004.04 Public accountability and state approval for 30
56	56	teacher preparation programs. — 31
57	57	(2) UNIFORM CORE CURRICULA AND CANDIDATE ASSESSMENT. — 32
58	58	(b) The rules to establish uniform core curricula for each 33
59	59	state-approved teacher preparation program must include, but are 34
60	60	not limited to, the following: 35
61	61	1. Candidate instruction and assessment in the Florida 36
62	62	Educator Accomplished Practices across content areas. 37
63	63	2. The use of state -adopted content standards to guide 38
64	64	curricula and instruction. 39
65	65	3. Scientifically researched and evidence -based reading 40
66	66	instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading 41
67	67	which improve reading performance for all students, including 42
68	68	explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching 43
69	69	phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text 44
70	70	comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The 45
71	71	primary instructional strateg y for teaching word reading is 46
72	72	phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional 47
73	73	strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three -48
74	74	cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for 49
75	75	teaching word reading. Instructional stra tegies may include 50
76	76
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84	84	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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86	86
87	87
88	88	visual information and strategies that improve background and 51
89	89	experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language 52
90	90	and vocabulary to support comprehension, but may not be used to 53
91	91	teach word reading. 54
92	92	4. Content literacy and m athematics practices. 55
93	93	5. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of English 56
94	94	language learners. 57
95	95	6. Strategies appropriate for the instruction of students 58
96	96	with disabilities. 59
97	97	7. Strategies to differentiate instruction based on 60
98	98	student needs. 61
99	99	8. Strategies and practices to support evidence -based 62
100	100	content aligned to state standards and grading practices. 63
101	101	9. Strategies appropriate for the early identification of 64
102	102	a student in crisis or experiencing a mental health challenge 65
103	103	and the referral of such stu dent to a mental health professional 66
104	104	for support. 67
105	105	10. Strategies to support the use of technology in 68
106	106	education and distance learning. 69
107	107	11. Strategies and practices to support effective, 70
108	108	research-based assessment and grading practices aligned to the 71
109	109	state's academic standards. 72
110	110	12. Strategies and practices on identifying, preventing, 73
111	111	preparing, addressing, and responding to mass casualty 74
112	112	incidents. 75
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121	121	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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125	125	Section 2. Paragraphs (a) and (b) of subsection (3) of 76
126	126	section 1004.85, Florida Statutes, are amend ed to read: 77
127	127	1004.85 Postsecondary educator preparation institutes. — 78
128	128	(3) Educator preparation institutes approved pursuant to 79
129	129	this section may offer competency -based certification programs 80
130	130	specifically designed for noneducation major baccalaureate 81
131	131	degree holders to enable program participants to meet the 82
132	132	educator certification requirements of s. 1012.56. An educator 83
133	133	preparation institute choosing to offer a competency -based 84
134	134	certification program pursuant to the provisions of this section 85
135	135	must implement a program developed by the institute and approved 86
136	136	by the department for this purpose. Approved programs shall be 87
137	137	available for use by other approved educator preparation 88
138	138	institutes. 89
139	139	(a) Within 90 days after receipt of a request for 90
140	140	approval, the Departmen t of Education shall approve a 91
141	141	preparation program pursuant to the requirements of this 92
142	142	subsection or issue a statement of the deficiencies in the 93
143	143	request for approval. The department shall approve a 94
144	144	certification program if the institute provides evidence of the 95
145	145	institute's capacity to implement a competency -based program 96
146	146	that instructs and assesses each candidate in the following: 97
147	147	1.a. The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices approved 98
148	148	by the state board. 99
149	149	b. The state academic standards provided und er s. 1003.41, 100
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158	158	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
159	159
160	160
161	161
162	162	including scientifically based reading instruction, content 101
163	163	literacy, and mathematical practices, for each subject 102
164	164	identified on the statement of status of eligibility or the 103
165	165	temporary certificate. 104
166	166	c. Scientifically researched and evidence -based reading 105
167	167	instructional strategies grounded in the science of reading 106
168	168	which improve reading performance for all students, including 107
169	169	explicit, systematic, and sequential approaches to teaching 108
170	170	phonemic awareness, phonics, vocabulary, fluency, and text 109
171	171	comprehension and multisensory intervention strategies. The 110
172	172	primary instructional strategy for teaching word reading is 111
173	173	phonics instruction for decoding and encoding. Instructional 112
174	174	strategies for foundational skills may not employ the three -113
175	175	cueing system model of reading or visual memory as a basis for 114
176	176	teaching word reading. Instructional strategies may include 115
177	177	visual information and strategies which improve background and 116
178	178	experiential knowledge, add context, and increase oral language 117
179	179	and vocabulary to sup port comprehension, but may not be used to 118
180	180	teach word reading. 119
181	181	d. Strategies and practices on identifying, preventing, 120
182	182	preparing, addressing, and responding to mass casualty 121
183	183	incidents. 122
184	184	2. An educational plan for each participant to meet 123
185	185	certification requirements and demonstrate his or her ability to 124
186	186	teach the subject area for which the participant is seeking 125
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195	195	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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199	199	certification, which is based on an assessment of his or her 126
200	200	competency in the areas listed in subparagraph 1. 127
201	201	3. Field experiences appropriate to the certification 128
202	202	subject area specified in the educational plan under the 129
203	203	supervision of qualified educators. The state board shall 130
204	204	determine in rule the amount of field experience necessary to 131
205	205	serve as the teacher of record, beginning with candidates 132
206	206	entering a program in the 2023 -2024 school year. 133
207	207	4. A certification ombudsman to facilitate the process and 134
208	208	procedures required for participants who complete the program to 135
209	209	meet any requirements related to the background screening 136
210	210	pursuant to s. 1012.32 and educator professional or temporary 137
211	211	certification pursuant to s. 1012.56. 138
212	212	(b) Each program participant must: 139
213	213	1. Meet certification requirements pursuant to s. 140
214	214	1012.56(1) by obtaining a statement of status of eligibility in 141
215	215	the certification subject area of the educational plan and meet 142
216	216	the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f). 143
217	217	2. Demonstrate competency and participate in field 144
218	218	experiences that are appropriate to his or her educational plan 145
219	219	prepared under paragraph (a). Beginnin g with candidates entering 146
220	220	an educator preparation institute in the 2022 -2023 school year, 147
221	221	a candidate for certification in a coverage area identified 148
222	222	pursuant to s. 1012.585(3)(f) must successfully complete all 149
223	223	competencies for a reading endorsement, incl uding completion of 150
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236	236	the endorsement practicum through the candidate's field 151
237	237	experience, in order to graduate from the program. 152
238	238	3. Before completion of the program, fully demonstrate his 153
239	239	or her ability to teach the subject area for which he or she is 154
240	240	seeking certification by documenting a positive impact on 155
241	241	student learning growth in a prekindergarten through grade 12 156
242	242	setting and, except as provided in s. 1012.56(7)(a)3., achieving 157
243	243	a passing score on the professional education competency 158
244	244	examination, the basic skills examination, and the subject area 159
245	245	examination for the subject area certification which is required 160
246	246	by state board rule. 161
247	247	Section 3. Paragraphs (g) through (i) of subsection (2) of 162
248	248	section 1012.56, Florida Statutes, are redesignated as 163
249	249	paragraphs (h) through (j), respectively, paragraphs (a), (b), 164
250	250	and (d) of subsection (7) are amended, and a new paragraph (g) 165
251	251	is added to that subsection, to read: 166
252	252	1012.56 Educator certification requirements. — 167
253	253	(2) ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA. —To be eligible to seek 168
254	254	certification, a person must: 169
255	255	(g) Have received training that includes strategies and 170
256	256	practices on identifying, preventing, preparing, addressing, and 171
257	257	responding to mass casualty incidents. 172
258	258	(7) TYPES AND TERMS OF CERTIFICATION. — 173
259	259	(a) The Department of Education shall issue a professional 174
260	260	certificate for a period not to exceed 5 years to any applicant 175
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269	269	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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271	271
272	272
273	273	who fulfills one of the following: 176
274	274	1. Meets all the applicable requirements outlined in 177
275	275	subsection (2). 178
276	276	2. For a professional certificate covering g rades 6 179
277	277	through 12: 180
278	278	a. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-181
279	279	(i) (2)(a)-(h). 182
280	280	b. Holds a master's or higher degree in the area of 183
281	281	science, technology, engineering, or mathematics. 184
282	282	c. Teaches a high school course in the subject of the 185
283	283	advanced degree. 186
284	284	d. Is rated highly effective as determined by the 187
285	285	teacher's performance evaluation under s. 1012.34, based in part 188
286	286	on student performance as measured by a statewide, standardized 189
287	287	assessment or an Advanced Placement, Advanced International 190
288	288	Certificate of Education, or International Baccalaureate 191
289	289	examination. 192
290	290	e. Achieves a passing score on the Florida professional 193
291	291	education competency examination required by state board rule. 194
292	292	3. Meets the applicable requirements of paragraphs (2)(a)-195
293	293	(i) (2)(a)-(h) and completes a professional learning 196
294	294	certification program approved by the department pursuant to 197
295	295	paragraph (8)(b) or an educator preparation institute approved 198
296	296	by the department pursua nt to s. 1004.85. An applicant who 199
297	297	completes one of these programs and is rated highly effective as 200
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306	306	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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310	310	determined by his or her performance evaluation under s. 1012.34 201
311	311	is not required to take or achieve a passing score on the 202
312	312	professional education competency examination in order to be 203
313	313	awarded a professional certificate. 204
314	314	(b) The department shall issue a temporary certificate to 205
315	315	any applicant who: 206
316	316	1. Completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs 207
317	317	(2)(a)-(g) (2)(a)-(f) and completes the subject area conte nt 208
318	318	requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates 209
319	319	mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5) and 210
320	320	holds an accredited degree or a degree approved by the 211
321	321	Department of Education at the level required for the subject 212
322	322	area specialization in state board rule; 213
323	323	2. For a subject area specialization for which the state 214
324	324	board otherwise requires a bachelor's degree, documents 48 215
325	325	months of active-duty military service with an honorable 216
326	326	discharge or a medical separation; completes the req uirements 217
327	327	outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and (d)-(g) (d)-(f); 218
328	328	completes the subject area content requirements specified in 219
329	329	state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject area 220
330	330	knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); and documents completion 221
331	331	of 60 college credits with a minimum cumulative grade point 222
332	332	average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as provided by one or more 223
333	333	accredited institutions of higher learning or a nonaccredited 224
334	334	institution of higher learning identified by the Department of 225
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343	343	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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347	347	Education as having a quality program resulting in a bachelor's 226
348	348	degree or higher; or 227
349	349	3. Is enrolled in a state -approved teacher preparation 228
350	350	program under s. 1004.04; is actively completing the required 229
351	351	program field experience or internship at a public school; 230
352	352	completes the requirements outlined in paragraphs (2)(a), (b), 231
353	353	and (d)-(g) (d)-(f); completes the subject area content 232
354	354	requirements specified in state board rule or demonstrates 233
355	355	mastery of subject area knowledge pursuant to subsection (5); 234
356	356	and documents completion of 60 college credits with a minimum 235
357	357	cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, as 236
358	358	provided by one or more accredited institutions of higher 237
359	359	learning or a nonaccredited institution of higher learning 238
360	360	identified by the Department of Education as havin g a quality 239
361	361	program resulting in a bachelor's degree or higher. 240
362	362	(d) The department shall issue a temporary apprenticeship 241
363	363	certificate to any applicant who: 242
364	364	1. Meets the requirements of paragraphs (2)(a), (b), and 243
365	365	(d)-(g) (d)-(f). 244
366	366	2. Completes the sub ject area content requirements 245
367	367	specified in state board rule or demonstrates mastery of subject 246
368	368	area knowledge as provided in subsection (5). 247
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370	370	At least 1 year before an individual's temporary certificate is 249
371	371	set to expire, the department shall electronicall y notify the 250
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380	380	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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384	384	individual of the date on which his or her certificate will 251
385	385	expire and provide a list of each method by which the 252
386	386	qualifications for a professional certificate can be completed. 253
387	387	Section 4. Subsection (1) of section 1012.57, Florida 254
388	388	Statutes, is amended to read: 255
389	389	1012.57 Certification of adjunct educators. — 256
390	390	(1) Notwithstanding the provisions of ss. 1012.32, 257
391	391	1012.55, and 1012.56, or any other provision of law or rule to 258
392	392	the contrary, district school boards and charter school 259
393	393	governing boards shall adopt rules to allow for the issuance of 260
394	394	an adjunct teaching certificate to any applicant who fulfills 261
395	395	the requirements of s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(g) s. 1012.56(2)(a)-(f) 262
396	396	and (11) and who has expertise in the subject area to be taught. 263
397	397	An applicant is considered to have expertise in the subject area 264
398	398	to be taught if the applicant demonstrates sufficient subject 265
399	399	area mastery through passage of a subject area test or has 266
400	400	achieved an industry certification in the subject area to be 267
401	401	taught. 268
402	402	Section 5. Section 1012.5841, Florida Statutes, is created 269
403	403	to read: 270
404	404	1012.5841 Continuing education and inservice training for 271
405	405	identifying, preventing, preparing, addressing, and responding 272
406	406	to mass casualty incidents. — 273
407	407	(1) The Department of Education shall develop a list of 274
408	408	approved trainings to prepare instructional personnel to 275
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417	417	F L O R I D A H O U S E O F R E P R E S E N T A T I V E S
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421	421	identify, prevent, prepare for, address, and respond to mass 276
422	422	casualty incidents. 277
423	423	(2) Beginning with the 2025 -2026 school year, the 278
424	424	department shall incorporate the training included in the list 279
425	425	required under subsection (1) into existing requirements for the 280
426	426	continuing education or inservice training of instructional 281
427	427	personnel. The requirements of this section may not add to the 282
428	428	total hours required for continuing education or inservice 283
429	429	training as currently established by the department. 284
430	430	(3) A person has no cause of action for any loss or damage 285
431	431	caused by an act or omission resulting from the implementation 286
432	432	of this section or resulting from any training required by this 287
433	433	section unless the loss or damage was caused by willful or 288
434	434	wanton misconduct. This section does not create any new duty of 289
435	435	care or basis of liability. 290
436	436	(4) The State Board of Education may adopt rules to 291
437	437	implement this section. 292
438	438	Section 6. This act shall take effect July 1, 2024. 293