DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION

Professional Standards Board

Statutory Authority: 14 Delaware Code, Sections 1203, 1205(b), and 1210(f) (14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b) & 1210(f))

14 DE Admin. Code 1559

PROPOSED

PUBLIC NOTICE

Educational Impact Analysis Pursuant to 14 Del. C. §122(d)

1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher

A. TYPE OF REGULATORY ACTION REQUESTED

Amendment to Existing Regulation

B. SYNOPSIS OF SUBJECT MATTER OF REGULATION

Pursuant to 14 Del.C. §§1203, 1205(b), and 1210(f), the Professional Standards Board ("Board"), acting in consultation and cooperation with the Delaware Department of Education ("Department"), developed amendments to 14 DE Admin. Code 1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher. The regulation concerns the requirements for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220. The proposed amendments in this regulation include revising the definition for regionally accredited, adding application requirements for a criminal background check in subsection 5.2, renumbering Section 6.0, and adding Section 11.0. The proposed amendments include grammatical and style changes to comply with the Delaware Administrative Code Drafting and Style Manual.

Persons wishing to present their views regarding this matter may do so in writing by submitting them to the Department, Office of the Secretary, Attn: Regulation Review, 401 Federal Street, Suite 2, Dover, Delaware 19901 or through the Department's online submission form at https://education.delaware.gov/community/governance/regulations-code/post-a-comment/ by the close of business (4:30 p.m. EST) on or before June 2, 2025. Any person who wishes to receive a copy of the proposed regulation may obtain a copy from the Department at the Office of the Secretary on the second floor of the Townsend Building, 401 Federal Street, Dover, Delaware.

C. IMPACT CRITERIA

1. Will the amended regulation help improve student achievement as measured against state achievement standards? The education, knowledge, and skill requirements in Section 4.0 are designed to improve the quality of the educator workforce, which will help to improve student achievement.

2. Will the amended regulation help ensure that all students receive an equitable education? The education, knowledge, and skill requirements in Section 4.0 are designed to improve the quality of the educator workforce, which will help to ensure students in Delaware public schools receive an equitable education.

3. Will the amended regulation help to ensure all students' health and safety are adequately protected? The amended regulation addresses a standard certificate for educators and is not designed to help ensure students' health and safety is protected.

4. Will the amended regulation help to ensure that all students' legal rights are respected? The amended regulation addresses a standard certificate for educators and is not designed to help en-sure students' legal rights are respected.

5. Will the amended regulation preserve the necessary authority and flexibility of decision-makers at the local board and school level? The amended regulation does not change authority and flexibility of decision makers at the local board and school level. By statute (14 Del.C. §1224), a school district or charter school may request that the Secretary of Education review the credentials of an applicant who does not meet the requirements for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate but whose effectiveness is documented by the district or school. The amended regulation does not change a school district or charter school's ability to submit such a request.

6. Will the amended regulation place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels? The amended regulation does not place unnecessary reporting or administrative requirements or mandates upon decision makers at the local board and school levels. The application requirements in Section 5.0 apply to individual applicants. In addition, the requirements in Section 10.0 apply to individual applicants and educators.

7. Will decision making authority and accountability for addressing the subject to be regulated be placed in the same entity? The Department implements the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 relating to the licensure and certification of educators.

8. Will the amended regulation be consistent with and not an impediment to the implementation of other state educational policies, in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies? The amended regulation is consistent with, and not an impediment to, the implementation of other state educational policies, and in particular to state educational policies addressing achievement in the core academic subjects of mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies.

9. Is there a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of the amended regulation? There is not a less burdensome method for addressing the purpose of this amended regulation.

10. What is the cost to the state and to the local school boards of compliance with the amended regulation? There is no expected cost to the state and to the local school boards of complying with this amended regulation.

1559 Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher

1.0 Content

This regulation shall apply to the issuance and retention of a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1220(a). The Skilled and Technical Science Teacher Standard Certificate is required for grades 5 to 12 in Delaware public schools. The Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate is issued in a Specific Career Area. A general Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate does not exist. Educators may become certified in more than one Specific Career Area by meeting the qualifications for each area.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

2.0 Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this regulation, shall have the following meaning:

"Department" means the Delaware Department of Education.

"Educator" means a person licensed and certified by the State under 14 Del.C. Ch. 12 to engage in the practice of instruction, administration or other related professional support services in Delaware public schools, including charter schools, pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated by the Professional Standards Board and approved by the State Board of Education. The term 'educator' does not include substitute teachers.

"Employing Authority authority" means any entity which employs educators, and includes, but is not limited to, school districts, charter schools, boards of directors, and management companies.

"Immorality" means conduct which is inconsistent with the rules and principles of morality expected of an educator and may reasonably be found to impair an educator's effectiveness by reason of the educator's unfitness or otherwise.

"License" means a credential which authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued.

"Regionally Accredited accredited" means educational accreditation by a regional accrediting agency that is recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable authority concerning the quality of education offered by the institutions of higher education it accredits, including Middle States Commission on Higher Education institutional accreditation from an agency that was designated as a regional accreditor before July 1, 2020, and is currently recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education as a reliable indicator of the institution's educational quality.

“Specific Career Area career area” means a specific career area approved by the Department as a Career Technical Education Program as defined in the Skilled and Technical Sciences Certification Inventory or included in the Department’s Skilled and Technical Sciences Standards.

"Standard Certificate" means a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill or education to practice in a particular area, teach a particular subject, or teach a category of students.

"Standards Board" means the Professional Standards Board established pursuant to 14 Del.C. §1201.

"Valid and Current License or Certificate current license or certificate" means a current full or permanent certificate or license issued by another state or jurisdiction. This means the educator is fully credentialed by having met all of the requirements for full licensure or certification in another state or jurisdiction and is in good standing in that state or jurisdiction. It does not include temporary, emergency, conditional certificates of eligibility or expired certificates or licenses issued from another state or jurisdiction.

“Work Experience experience” means full time employment or work training experience in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought. An educator may substitute an Associate’s associate’s degree in the specific Skilled and Technical Sciences skilled and technical sciences career area of certification for a maximum of two 2 years of work experience or a Bachelor’s bachelor’s degree in the specific Skilled and Technical Sciences skilled and technical sciences career area of certification for a maximum of four 4 years of work experience.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

19 DE Reg. 1087 (06/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

3.0 Issuance of a Standard Certificate

3.1 In accordance with 14 Del.C. §1220(a) the Department shall issue a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate to an applicant who:

3.1.1 Holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License or a Limited Standard or Standard Certificate issued by the Department prior to August 31, 2003 and meets the requirements in Section 4.0 of this regulation; or

3.1.2 Has met the requirements for licensure an educator's license in Delaware, presents proof of a Valid and Current License or Certificate valid and current license or certificate as a skilled and technical sciences teacher of the Specific Career Area in another state or jurisdiction in the specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought and, in Specific Career Areas specific career areas where a State license or registration is required by law, the applicant shall hold an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by the applicable Stage agency.

3.2 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary herein, the Department shall not act on an application for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate if the applicant is under official investigation by any national, state, or local authority with the power to issue educator licenses or certifications. The Department shall not act where the allegations include but are not limited to conduct such as Immorality immorality, misconduct in office, incompetence, willful neglect of duty, disloyalty, or falsification of credentials until the applicant provides evidence of the investigation's resolution.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

4.0 Prescribed Education, Knowledge, and Skill Requirements

4.1 An applicant for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate shall have satisfied the requirements in subsections 4.1.1 through 4.1.5 of this regulation.

4.1.1 The applicant shall have satisfied one of the education requirements in subsection 4.1.1.1, 4.1.1.2, or 4.1.1.3.

4.1.1.1 The applicant earned a bachelor's degree from a Regionally Accredited regionally accredited college or university in education or an area related to the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that includes at least nine 9 credits in the Specific Career Area and six specific career area and 6 credits in education pedagogy, taken either as part of the degree or in addition to it. Credits in the Specific Career Area specific career area may also be completed through an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training, or certification, with one 1 credit equal to 15 hours of training.

4.1.1.2 The applicant earned an associate's degree in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that includes at least nine 9 credits in the Specific Career Area and six specific career area and 6 credits in education pedagogy, taken either as part of the degree or in addition to it. In addition to earning the associate's degree, the applicant completed 21 credits from a Regionally Accredited regionally accredited college or university toward a degree in education. Credits in the Specific Career Area specific career area may also be completed through an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training, or certification, with one 1 credit equal to 15 hours of training.

4.1.1.3 The applicant completed the requirements in subsections 4.1.1.3.1 and 4.1.1.3.2.

4.1.1.3.1 The applicant earned a minimum of a high school diploma or its equivalent and completed one 1 of the following options in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought:

4.1.1.3.1.1 Two years of college majoring in the Specific Career Area specific career area with at least 50% of the major courses required for a bachelor's degree completed;

4.1.1.3.1.2 A state-issued certificate indicating completion of apprenticeship hours and apprentice-related training (e.g., journey papers) in the Specific Career Area specific career area;

4.1.1.3.1.3 Four years of sequential Delaware Trade Extension courses;

4.1.1.3.1.4 Four years of National Center for Construction Education and Research's Contren documented training;

4.1.1.3.1.5 A 70% or above score on both the written and performance elements of a Delaware Apprentice-related Education Provider's National Center for Construction Education and Research's Contren-derived full Apprentice Equivalency test-out covering all Apprentice-related Education years;

4.1.1.3.1.6 Passage of a State of Delaware Licensing Test in the Specific Career Area specific career area, offered through the Division of Professional Regulation;

4.1.1.3.1.7 576 hours of military training;

4.1.1.3.1.8 576 hours post-secondary trade school training;

4.1.1.3.1.9 An industry recognized certification of technical competence or journeyperson status in the specific career area; or

4.1.1.3.1.10 The equivalent of two 2 years of college or technical training approved by the Department.

4.1.1.3.2 The applicant completed 36 credits from a Regionally Accredited regionally accredited college or university toward a degree in education, nine 9 credits in the Specific Career Area specific career area, and six 6 credits in education pedagogy. The nine 9 credits in the Specific Career Area and six specific career area and 6 credits in education pedagogy may be taken as part of or in addition to that requirement in subsection 4.1.1.3.1.10. Credits in the Specific Career Area specific career area may also be completed through an equivalent number of hours in professional development, technical training, or certification, with one 1 credit equal to 15 hours of training.

4.1.2 In Specific Career Areas specific career areas where a State license or registration is required by law, the applicant shall hold an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency.

4.1.3 In Specific Career Areas specific career areas where a State license or registration is not required by law, the applicant shall hold one 1 of the following:

4.1.3.1 An active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency; or

4.1.3.2 A valid and current certificate in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by a nationally-recognized professional organization.

4.1.4 In the Specific Career Areas specific career areas where professional training is required, the applicant shall hold valid and current certifications as required by the Department.

4.1.5 The applicant shall have completed one 1 of the following experience requirements:

4.1.5.1 Six years of work experience in an area related to the Specific Career Area specific career area, at least two 2 of which shall have been within the last five 5 years prior to the date of the application; or

4.1.5.2 Six years of work experience by teaching in or direct supervision of educators in an area related to the Specific Career Area specific career area, at least two 2 of which shall have been within the last five 5 years prior to the date of the application.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

19 DE Reg. 1087 (06/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

5.0 Application Requirements

5.1 If an applicant is applying for an Initial License, a Standard Certificate must be applied for simultaneously with the application for the Initial License, and the applicant shall also provide all required documentation for the Initial License.

5.2 If the applicant is also applying for the issuance or renewal of an educator's license or paraeducator's permit, the applicant must disclose the applicant's criminal conviction history upon application. Failure to disclose a criminal conviction history is grounds for denial of the license or permit application as specified in 14 Del.C. §1219 and it could delay the processing or result in the denial of the application for Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher of a Specific Career Area Standard Certificate.

5.2 5.3 For applicants who are applying for the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate under subsection 3.1.1 of this regulation, the following documentation is required:

5.2.1 5.3.1 Official transcript from the applicant's Regionally Accredited regionally accredited college or university.

5.2.1.1 5.3.1.1 Electronic transcripts may be submitted by the Employing Authority employing authority or by the applicant's Regionally Accredited regionally accredited college or university; or

5.2.1.2 5.3.1.2 Sealed paper transcripts may be submitted.

5.2.1.3 5.3.1.3 The Department will not accept copies of transcripts; and

5.2.2 5.3.2 Documentation from technical training or professional development provider, if applicable; and

5.2.3 5.3.3 Documentation that the applicant holds an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought issued or recognized by the applicable State agency, if applicable; and

5.2.4 5.3.4 Documentation that the applicant holds a valid and current certificate in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by a nationally-recognized professional organization, if applicable; and

5.2.5 5.3.5 Documentation that the applicant holds valid and current certifications if professional training is required for the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought; and

5.2.6 5.3.6 The Department-approved form verifying the applicant's completion of the experience requirement as provided in subsection 4.1.4 of this regulation; and

5.2.7 5.3.7 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

5.3 5.4 For applicants who are applying for the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate under subsection 3.1.2 of this regulation, the following documentation is required:

5.3.1 5.4.1 An official copy of the Valid and Current License or Certificate valid and current license or certificate; and

5.3.2 5.4.2 Documentation that the applicant holds an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate is sought that is issued by the applicable State agency, if applicable; and

5.3.3 5.4.3 Additional documentation as required by the Department.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

6.0 Secretary of Education Review

6.1 The Secretary of Education may, upon the written request of a local school district or charter school, review credentials submitted in an application for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate on an individual basis and grant such a Standard Certificate to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate but whose effectiveness is documented by the local school district or charter school.

6.2 The request shall be approved as provided in subsections 6.2.1 and 6.2.2.

6.2.1 For school districts, requests shall be approved by the superintendent of the school district.

6.2.2 For charter schools, requests concerning the head of school of the charter school shall be approved by the charter school's board of directors and requests concerning all other applicants shall be approved by the charter school's head of school.

6.0 7.0 Validity of a Standard Certificate

6.1 7.1 A Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate is valid regardless of the assignment or employment status of the holder provided that the Educator's License educator's license remains current and valid.

6.2 7.2 A Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate is not subject to renewal.

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

7.0 8.0 Requirements Related to the Retention of a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate

7.1 8.1 In order to retain a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate, the Educator educator shall:

7.1.1 8.1.1 If a State license or registration in the Specific Career Area specific career area is required by law, hold an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate was issued; and

7.1.2 8.1.2 If a State license or registration in the Specific Career Area specific career area is not required by law, hold either an active, unencumbered license, registration, or privilege to practice through a compact state license that is issued or recognized by the applicable State agency or a valid and current certificate that is issued by a nationally-recognized professional organization in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate was issued; and

7.1.3 8.1.3 Hold valid and current certifications in professional training that are required by the Department for the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Standard Certificate was issued; and

7.1.4 8.1.4 Prior to the expiration of the Educator's educator’s license, registration, privilege to practice through a compact state license, or certification in professional training, affirm and document to the Department that the Educator educator satisfies the applicable requirements in subsections 7.1.1, 7.1.2, and 7.1.3 8.1.1, 8.1.2, and 8.1.3 of this regulation.

7.2 8.2 If an Educator educator fails to meet any of the requirements related to retaining a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate, the Educator educator shall immediately notify the Department in writing.

7.3 8.3 The requirements set forth in subsection 7.1 8.1 apply to all Educators educators regardless of the date the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate was issued to them.

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

8.0 9.0 Disciplinary Action

8.1 9.1 An Educator's educator’s Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate may be revoked, suspended, or limited for cause as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 1514 Limitation, Suspension, and Revocation of Licenses, Certificates, and Permits or for the Educator's educator’s failure to comply with the requirements related to the retention of a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate as provided in Section 7.0 8.0 of this regulation.

8.2 9.2 An Educator's educator’s Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate shall be revoked if the Educator's educator’s Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License or Professional Status Certificate is revoked or the Educator educator made a materially false or misleading statement in the Educator's educator’s application in accordance with 14 Del.C. §1222.

8.3 9.3 An Educator educator whose certificate is noticed for disciplinary action is entitled to a full and fair hearing before the Standards Board. Hearings shall be conducted in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 1515 Hearing Procedures and Rules.

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

9.0 Secretary of Education Review

9.1 The Secretary of Education may, upon the written request of a local school district or charter school, review credentials submitted in an application for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate on an individual basis and grant such a Standard Certificate to an applicant who otherwise does not meet the requirements for a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate but whose effectiveness is documented by the local school district or charter school.

9.1.1 For school districts, requests shall be approved by the superintendent of the school district.

9.1.2 For charter schools, requests concerning the head of school of the charter school shall be approved by the charter school's board of directors and requests concerning all other applicants shall be approved by the charter school's head of school.

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

10.0 Past Certificate Recognized

The Department shall recognize a Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate that was issued by the Department prior to the effective date of this regulation. An Educator educator holding such a Standard Certificate shall be considered certified to teach in the Specific Career Area specific career area for which the Skilled and Technical Science Teacher Standard Certificate was issued.

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

11.0 Contact Information and Change of Name or Address

11.1 All applicants and educators are required to update their contact information in DEEDS if their contact information changes.

11.2 An educator who legally changes the educator's name and wishes to change the name on the Skilled and Technical Sciences Teacher Standard Certificate shall provide a notarized copy of evidence of the name change such as a marriage license or court action.

11.3 An applicant or educator whose mailing address, email address, or phone number changes shall provide the Department with the new mailing address, email address, or phone number within 14 calendar days of the change.

12 DE Reg. 952 (01/01/09)

19 DE Reg. 623 (01/01/16)

19 DE Reg. 1087 (06/01/16)

25 DE Reg. 177 (08/01/21)

28 DE Reg. 792 (05/01/25) (Prop.)