DELAWARE STATE SENATE

151st GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE BILL NO. 313

AN ACT TO AMEND TITLE 14 OF THE DELAWARE CODE RELATING TO TEACHER LICENSURE AND CERTIFICATION.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE:

Section 1. Amend Chapter 12, Title 14 of the Delaware Code by making deletions as shown by strike through and insertions as shown by underline as follows:

§ 1262. Requirements for participation in an alternative routes for teacher initial licensure and certification program.

(a) Subject to § 1217 of this title and notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, an individual who is a

potential participant must be issued an initial license in an ARTC program and applicable certification, provided the individual meets all of the following criteria:

(1) Holds a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.

(2) Has at least 24 credits from a regionally-accredited college or university aligned to the content area in which the individual is seeking certification, or the equivalent in professional development approved by the Department, appropriate to the instructional field, or passing scores on an approved content-readiness exam prior to entering the ARTC program.

(3) Obtains an acceptable health clearance under Department regulations, and an acceptable criminal background check clearance.

(4) Obtains and accepts an offer of employment in a full-time position that requires instructional certification.

(b) While in an ARTC program, a participant must meet both of the following criteria:

(1) Maintain satisfactory progress towards the completion of all ARTC program requirements.

(2) Be continuously employed with a district or charter school.

(c) An ARTC program participant must attain all of the following, before the expiration of the initial license to

obtain standard certification within the first 2 3 years of teaching:

(1) Successful completion of all ARTC program requirements.

(2) Two summative evaluations using a state-approved educator evaluation system with not more than 1 summative evaluation being unsatisfactory.

(3) Passing scores on approved content readiness exams under the certification requirements.

(4) [Repealed.]

SYNOPSIS

This Act expands the period in which an ARTC program participant must meet the program requirements to obtain standard certification from 2 years to 3 years.

Author: Senator Sturgeon