Changes in Educator Certification Rules and Requirements for Elementary Education

This section provides information regarding the new certification subject area rules for Elementary Education (grades K-6) from the Florida Department of Education and effective July 1, 2002. These changes were approved by the State Board of Education on March 12, 2002. It is expected that the approval of the new subject areas will result in the modification of teacher preparation programs throughout the state to transition from the current Elementary Education (grades 1-6) to the new subject coverages.

Elementary Education (grades K-6) Rule 6A-4.0151.FAC

• Beginning July 1, 2002, applicants will apply for initial certification or add-on certfication in Elementary Education K-6. Applications received beginning July 1, 2002, will no longer be accepted for Elementary Education (grades 1-6). After June 30, 2002, applications that request Elementary Education (grades 1-6) will be processed for Elementary Education (grades K-6).

• An Examination Transition Period will be effect July 1, 2002 - June 30, 2004. The Elementary Education (grades 1-6) Subject Area Examination will not be offered after June 30, 2004.

• An Individual who applies for Elementary Education (grades 1-6) before July 1, 2002, under old rules, must take the Elementary Education (grades 1-6) subject area examination and earn a passing score before July 1, 2004, or the applicant will be subject to passing the new Elementary Education (grades K-6) examination for a Professional Certificate.

• An Individual who holds a valid certificate in Elementary Education (grades 1-6) and whishes to have Elementary Education (grades K-6) added to his/her certificate must apply for the addition after July, 2002, and submit a passing score on the new Elementary Education (grades K-6) examination to have new Elementary Education (grades K-6) coverage. The Elementary Education (grades 1-6) coverage will not be automatically converted to the new Elementary Education (grades K-6) coverage when a Professional Certficate is renewed. The Elementary Education (grades 1-6) coverage will be retained when the Profetional Certificate is renewed if renewal requirements for that subject area are met.

• Beginning July 1, 2002, an individual applying for intial certification in Elementary Education (grades K-6) may present a passing score on either the Elementary Education(grades 1-6 or grades K-6) subject area examination. This transition plan to satisfy the subjer area test requirement for the Professional Certificate is available only through June 30, 2004. Effective July 1, 2004, certification in Elementary Education (grades K-6) requires a passing score on the Elementary Education (grades K-6) subject area examination for a Professional Certificate.

General Knowledge/Basic Skills Certification Examination Requirement

• Beginning July 1, 2002, the new Florida-developed General Knowledge Examination for educator certification as required in Section 231.17, Florida Statutes, will be implemented. After July 1, 2002, this new Florida general knowledge/basic skill test is the only test that may be taken to satisfy the general knowledge requirement for the Professional Certificate.

• CLAST passing score earned prior to July 1, 2002, will be acceptable.

• Portions of the CLAST passed before July 1, 2002, will be combined with the new General Knowledge Examination protions passed after July 1, 2002, to satisfy the general knowledge/basic skills examination requirements in reading, English language/essay, and mathematics.

• An individual who applies for certification before July 1, 2002, will have the option to pass the Praxis I PPST or submit a passing score on another state's general knowledge examination in accordance with laws in effect when he/she applies.
  

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