- What does “alternative certification program” mean
in Florida?
- On-the-job training in professional education competencies – the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
-
An alternative path to satisfy professional preparation requirements
for a five-year Professional Educator’s Certificate
- What are the Florida Educator Accomplished
Practices?
- These are the researched-based knowledge and skills that
all Florida teachers need, regardless of what
subject they teach, so that their students can master the skills determined
by the Florida Sunshine State Standards for students.
The twelve Educator
Accomplished Practices are:
- Assessment
- Communication
- Continuous Improvement
- Critical Thinking
- Diversity
- Ethics
- Human Development & Learning
- Knowledge of Subject Matter
- Learning Environments
- Planning
- Role of the Teacher
- Technology
- These are the researched-based knowledge and skills that
all Florida teachers need, regardless of what
subject they teach, so that their students can master the skills determined
by the Florida Sunshine State Standards for students.
The twelve Educator
Accomplished Practices are:
- What are the Florida Sunshine State Standards?
- These are the skills that students need in order to thrive
in our global economy. Student standards have been identified
for
all subjects.
- These are the skills that students need in order to thrive
in our global economy. Student standards have been identified
for
all subjects.
- Does
an approved Florida
alternative certification
require college
courses in
education?
- No. Florida’s approved alternative preparation/certification
programs are competency-based. No college coursework
is required.
- No. Florida’s approved alternative preparation/certification
programs are competency-based. No college coursework
is required.
- What does “competency-based” mean?
- If you can demonstrate any of the Florida Educator Accomplished
Practices when you begin your new career as a teacher, then
your individualized
training
program will focus
on
the
areas of
your
greatest need. You will be able to complete the
program in
a shorter
period
of time.
- If you can demonstrate any of the Florida Educator Accomplished
Practices when you begin your new career as a teacher, then
your individualized
training
program will focus
on
the
areas of
your
greatest need. You will be able to complete the
program in
a shorter
period
of time.
- Will my Florida Educator’s
Certificate be the same as the one
earned
by
education
majors?
- Yes. Completion of a Florida approved alternative preparation/certification
program, along with other eligibility requirements, results
in the same Professional Educator’s
Certificate.
- Yes. Completion of a Florida approved alternative preparation/certification
program, along with other eligibility requirements, results
in the same Professional Educator’s
Certificate.
- Will
other
states
accept
my
Florida
Professional
Educator’s
Certificate?
- Each state has its own certification laws regarding
reciprocity with other states. If another state accepts
a Florida Professional
Educator’s Certificate, then your Professional Educator’s
Certificate
will
be
accepted.
You
must
research
the
certification
laws
in
the
state
of
your
interest.
- Each state has its own certification laws regarding
reciprocity with other states. If another state accepts
a Florida Professional
Educator’s Certificate, then your Professional Educator’s
Certificate
will
be
accepted.
You
must
research
the
certification
laws
in
the
state
of
your
interest.
- How
does
my
participation
in
an
approved
Florida
alternative
certification/preparation
program
affect
entry
into
a
master’s
degree
program?
- Each higher educational institution has its own
policies for acceptance into master’s degree programs. Some Florida
institutions may recognize your demonstration of the Florida
Educator Accomplished Practices and, as a result, may not require
completion of basic education courses in a master’s
degree
program.
You
must
research
the
policies
of
the
institution
you
wish
to
attend.
- Each higher educational institution has its own
policies for acceptance into master’s degree programs. Some Florida
institutions may recognize your demonstration of the Florida
Educator Accomplished Practices and, as a result, may not require
completion of basic education courses in a master’s
degree
program.
You
must
research
the
policies
of
the
institution
you
wish
to
attend.
- Does
every
school
district
have
an
approved
alternative
preparation/certification
program?
- Yes. All Florida school districts are required to offer
a competency-based alternative preparation/certification
program for instructional
staff who qualify for a Florida Temporary Educator’s
Certificate.
- Yes. All Florida school districts are required to offer
a competency-based alternative preparation/certification
program for instructional
staff who qualify for a Florida Temporary Educator’s
Certificate.
- Do
all
school
districts
offer
the
same
alternative
preparation/certification
program?
- Yes and no. All approved programs are based upon the Florida
Educator Accomplished Practices. Each school district has
flexibility in how
the
program
is offered.
All
approved
programs
include
the following components:
- Survival training prior to assuming responsibilities of teacher of record
- Pre-assessment of entry level skills
- Individualized training plan
- Support from peer mentors and building administrators
- Opportunities for collaborative assistance from higher education partners
- Training curriculum that targets the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
- Summative assessment that documents mastery of the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
- Florida Professional Education Certification Test
- Yes and no. All approved programs are based upon the Florida
Educator Accomplished Practices. Each school district has
flexibility in how
the
program
is offered.
All
approved
programs
include
the following components:
For an overview of the Florida educator certification process, click here.
© Copyright 2002, Florida Department of Education