Bill > H1111

This bill makes several changes to teacher certification requirements and professional development programs in Florida: It requires the Department of Education to issue temporary educator certificates within 14 calendar days after receiving a request from an employing school district or private school, and to issue professional certificates or statements of eligibility within 90 calendar days after receiving a completed application. It also allows the department to extend the validity period of a temporary certificate under certain circumstances. The bill authorizes charter schools and charter management organizations to develop professional development certification and education competency programs that allow instructional staff to satisfy mastery of professional preparation and education competence requirements. It requires the department to adopt standards for approving these programs by December 31, 2017. The bill expands the duties of the Just Read, Florida! Office to include identifying evidence-based reading instructional and intervention strategies, training teachers and coaches on these strategies, and working with teacher preparation programs to integrate them. It also requires the office to periodically review teacher certification requirements and examinations. Finally, the bill requires educator preparation institutes and postsecondary programs to provide evidence of instruction in scientifically researched and evidence-based reading strategies as a condition of program approval, and it adds new requirements for professional certificate renewal related to reading instruction.

Budget and Finance, Education

Education Committee (House)

http://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2017/1111