HB 207 — AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO EDUCATOR LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, EVALUATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PREPARATION PROGRAMS.

Summary

This Act does the following: (1) Removes the requirement that applicants for initial and continuing educator licenses obtain a passing score on an approved performance assessment. (2) In place of the performance assessment requirement, requires professional development and mentoring activities include a focus on acquisition of pedagogical knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to meet student needs and requires the Department of Education (Department) to establish a committee of stakeholders to gather input and make recommendations on how to achieve professional development and mentoring activities that satisfy the requirements. (3) Removes requirements related to performance assessments, including reporting requirements and rulemaking requirements, from Chapter 12 of Title 14. (4) Allows individuals who serve in educator roles that are not teaching positions to receive their Delaware educator license by changing "teaching experience" to "experience as an educator" in § 1210(d) of Title 14 and § 1211(c) of Title 14. (5) Requires the Department to ensure there are a variety of professional development opportunities across different modes that meet a high standard of quality, including evidence-based programs. (6) In place of the performance assessment requirement for participants in alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification programs and participants in alternative routes to certification programs for teachers of students with disabilities, requires an assessment of program participants' abilities to apply pedagogical skills to meet the needs of students and requires the Department to establish a committee of stakeholders to gather input and make recommendations on how to assess the pedagogical skills of program participants. (7) In place of a performance assessment requirement, requires that educator preparation programs assess prospective educators' ability to apply pedagogical skills to meet student needs and requires the Department to establish a committee of stakeholders to gather input and make recommendations on how to assess the pedagogical skills of program participants. (8) Makes corrections, including standardizing references to the educator evaluation system and changing "certificate" to "license" in places where improperly used. This Act also makes technical corrections to conform existing law to the standards of the Delaware Legislative Drafting Manual.

Bill Text

• Bill Text View text Current pdf

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This bill amends the educator licensure requirements in Delaware, particularly for initial and continuing licenses, and includes provisions for performance assessments and the format of special institute programs.

• § 1210

  the applicant demonstrates that the applicant received a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university, has achieved a passing score on a content-readiness exam, exam, and has either completed a student teaching program or meets any 1 of the following alternatives to student teaching: → the applicant demonstrates that the applicant received a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university, has achieved a passing score on a content-readiness exam, and has either completed a student teaching program or meets any one of the following alternatives to student teaching:

  Clarifies the language regarding the qualifications for an initial license.

• § 1210

  the Department shall issue an initial license under this section if → the Department shall issue an initial license under this section if

  Removes redundancy in the sentence structure.

• § 1210

  applicant seeking an initial license to teach in a core content area. → applicant applying for an initial license to teach in a core content area.

  Updates the terminology for clarity.

• § 1210

  may not be used to meet this alternative; or alternative. → may not be used to meet this alternative.

  Removes unnecessary wording and improves clarity.

• § 1210

  by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to under this chapter. → by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted under this chapter.

  Corrects the phrasing for consistency.

• § 1210

  An initial license may not must not be renewed. It may, however, be extended pursuant to under § 1216 of this title. → An initial license may not be renewed. It may, however, be extended pursuant to § 1216 of this title.

  Clarifies the renewal process for initial licenses by removing unnecessary wording.

• § 1210

  notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (c), and (d) → notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (c), and (d)

  Removes the redundant phrase.

• § 1210

  Such applicants must obtain a passing score on an approved performance assessment prior to the expiration of initial licensure. → Such applicants must obtain a passing score on an approved performance assessment prior to the expiration of their initial licensure.

  Clarifies the requirement phrasing.

• § 1211

  that has since expired. The applicant An applicant under this subsection must have completed 4 or more years of successful teaching experience experience as an educator to be issued a continuing license. → that has since expired. The applicant under this subsection must have completed 4 or more years of successful teaching experience as an educator to be issued a continuing license.

  Removes redundancy in the term 'experience'.

• § 1212

  for the purpose of this section, “clock-hour” means actual time spent in professional development, not credit hours. → For the purpose of this section, 'clock-hour' means actual time spent in professional development, not credit hours.

  Clarifies definition formatting for consistency.

• § 1252

  shall must include the following: → shall include the following:

  Corrects grammatical redundancy.

Action History

1. June 30, 2021

   Signed by Governor

2. June 24, 2021

   Passed By Senate. Votes: 21 YES

3. June 22, 2021

   Reported Out of Committee (Education) in Senate with 1 Favorable, 3 On Its Merits

4. June 17, 2021

   Assigned to Education Committee in Senate

5. June 17, 2021

   Passed By House. Votes: 40 YES 1 ABSENT

6. June 09, 2021

   Reported Out of Committee (Education) in House with 5 Favorable, 8 On Its Merits

7. May 20, 2021

   Introduced and Assigned to Education Committee in House

Sponsors

• Kimberly Williams · Primary
• Laura V. Sturgeon · Primary
• S. Elizabeth Lockman · Primary
• Bryan Townsend · Primary
• William Bush · Primary
• Michael F. Smith · Cosponsor
• Jeffrey N. Spiegelman · Cosponsor
• Lyndon D. Yearick · Cosponsor
• Sean Matthews · Primary
• Michael Ramone · Cosponsor
• Valerie Longhurst · Primary
• Sherae'a Moore · Primary
• Nicole Poore · Cosponsor
• John "Jack" Walsh · Cosponsor
• Eric Morrison · Cosponsor
• Edward S. Osienski · Cosponsor
• John A. Kowalko · Cosponsor
• Andria L. Bennett · Cosponsor
• Paul S. Baumbach · Cosponsor

Votes

Subjects