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TESTS REQUIRED FOR STATE-APPROVED TEACHER EDUCATION PROGRAMS: ADMISSION AND GRADUATION

A Florida Department of Education memorandum dated May 28, 2002 clarifies the State Board Rule 6A-5.066 for admission to and completion of state-approved teacher preparation programs (College of Education degree programs) as follows:

Admission Requirements

  1. Grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
  2. Passing scores on all four parts of the College Level Academic Skills Test (CLAST)

Program Completion (Graduation) Requirements (NOTE: Passing scores on all tests required for teacher certification are mandatory for program completion)

Through June 30, 2002:

  1. Passing all four portions of the CLAST (required for program admission) satisfies the general knowledge test requirement
  2. Florida Teacher Certification Examination: Professional Education Test
  3. Florida Teacher Certification Examination: Subject Area Examination

Beginning July 1, 2002:

  1. Florida General Knowledge Examination. NOTE: This new Department of Education test replaces the CLAST as a teacher certification requirement. Any portion(s) of the CLAST passed prior to July 1, 2002, can be used in place of the corresponding portions of the new General Knowledge Examination, but portions of the CLAST taken and passed on or after this date cannot be used to meet teacher certification or program graduation requirements. This means:
  1. CLAST scores earned prior to July 1, 2002 are acceptable for admission and for certification and graduation.
  2. CLAST scores earned on/after July 1, 2002 will be acceptable for admission only and cannot be used to satisfy certification or program graduation requirements.
  1. Florida Teacher Certification Examination: Professional Education Test (still required)
  2. Florida Teacher Certification Examination: Subject Area Examination (still required)

SAMPLE SCENARIOS

Example #1: John Smith takes the June 1st CLAST. He passes three out of the required four sub-tests. He retakes the math sub-test July 8th. The three passing CLAST scores prior to July 1, 2002 will be used for admission and graduation for the College of Education. The math sub-test passed after July 1, 2002 will be used for admission only. The equivalent math sub-test of the General Knowledge Test is required for graduation since it was passed after July 1st.

Example #2: Jane Doe takes the CLAST test July 30th. The CLAST will be used for admission to the College of Education. The General Knowledge Test will be used for graduation since the CLAST test was passed after July 1st.

Example #3: Jack Jones takes and passes the CLAST test prior to July 1st. His admission and graduation requirements for the basic skills/general knowledge test are satisfied.

Department of Education Contact Person: Beverly Gregory (850)487-6589