New Employee Orientation: Educator Certification Presented by Cindy Andrews Certification Specialist

Florida Educator’s Certification In order to be employed as a teacher in the State of Florida, you must hold or be eligible for a Florida Educator’s Certificate. There are two types of certificates issued by the Florida Department of Education. Professional Certificate Temporary Certificate “Which one do you have?”

Professional Certificate Has a five (5) year validity period Renewal credit is required and must be earned during the validity period of the Professional Certificate Renewal credit may consist of: Inservice credit College coursework Subject Area Exam taken/passed during validity period National Board Certificate Teaching an acceptable college course

Temporary Certificate The Temporary Certificate is a three (3) year non- renewable certificate A Statement of Status of Eligibility is issued which outlines all requirements that must be fulfilled for the Professional Certificate All requirements must be completed within the three (3) validity period of the Temporary Certificate

General Knowledge Exam The exam must be passed within one calendar year of your original date of hire or you cannot be re-hired for a teaching position in the State of Florida Four sections: Math English Language Skills Reading Comprehension Essay

Alternative Certification Designed to offer non-education majors the opportunity to satisfy the requirements for the Professional Certificate. One to three year program which may be completed in one year An Alternative Certification Program will satisfy all education course requirements, Professional Education Competence and Reading Competency 2 The Professional Education Test must be passed to complete an Alternative Certification Program Three programs are offered in this area: BEACON Educator (District program) Teacher Ready Program through University of West Florida Educator Preparation Institute through Pensacola State College

Professional Orientation Program (POP) Approved professional education competency demonstration program Fulfills the Professional Education Competence requirement for the Professional Certificate Includes all teachers with no teaching experience (Temporary or Professional)

Professional Education Program (POP) cont… Mentor Team-Administrator, Peer teacher, other educator Team established at school site within first 20 days. Verification of 6 Educator’s Accomplished Practices. Develop Portfolio

Experienced Professional Orientation Program (EPOP) Temporary Certificate with teaching experience 90 day program Professional Certificate with teaching experience does not require participation in POP or EPOP

SB 1108 – ESE Renewal Requirement  Effective July 1, 2014  One (1) semester hour of college credit or 20 inservice points each renewal period  Applies to all renewal applications  Goal of all renewal requirements: Educators participate in current, relevant and on-going professional learning for the benefit of all students, including (SWD) Students With Disabilities

SB 1108 ESE Renewal Requirement Courses offered and delivered from the following sources :  District Face to Face Courses  FDLRS Face to Face and On-line Courses (20 hr. On-line course/Fall 2014)  BEACON On-line Courses  College Courses identified as ESE (taken with credit earned after July 1, 2010) (Transcript and course description must be presented at the time of certification renewal)  Vouchers (Conferences/Out of District Meeting that are approved by the District ESE Department)  SB 1108 permits “BANKING” of excess SWD for renewal.

Santa Rosa District Certification Office Cindy Andrews