2016 Delaware Code
Title 14 - Education
CHAPTER 12. EDUCATOR LICENSURE, CERTIFICATION, EVALUATION, PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT, AND PREPARATION PROGRAMS
Subchapter II Four-Tiered Licensure System
§ 1210. Tier One — Provisional licensure.

(a) A provisional license is valid for 1 year unless revoked. The Department shall issue a provisional license under this section if an applicant demonstrates that the applicant has received a bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university, has achieved a passing score on an examination of general knowledge, has achieved a passing score on a content-readiness exam and has either completed a student teaching program or meets any 1 of the following alternatives to student teaching:

(1) One year of teaching experience consisting of a minimum of 91 days of long-term teaching experience in 1 assignment, except that this provision shall not apply to applicants seeking a provisional license to teach in a core content area. For the purpose of this section, "core content area" means any subject area tested by the state assessment system, including mathematics, English/language arts, science, and social studies. Experience in an alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program may not be used to meet this alternative; or

(2) The applicant is enrolled and participating in an alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program pursuant to subchapter V or VI of this chapter; or

(3) The applicant is applying for a provisional license and certification as a specialist and completes a supervised practical experience in the specialty area equivalent to student teaching as recognized pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter. Equivalent practical experience in the specialty area may include a supervised internship, a practicum, or clinical experience. For the purpose of this section, "specialist" means an educator other than a teacher recognized pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter who is eligible to apply for both licensure and certification from the State in order to engage in other related professional support services.

(b) If a provisional licensee intends to apply for an initial license, the licensee shall, prior to the expiration of that provisional license, complete professional development and mentoring activities as may be required by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(c) A provisional license may not be renewed. It may, however, be extended pursuant to § 1216 of this title.

(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (b) of this section, a provisional license may be issued for a period of 1 year for applicants in a vocational trade and industry ("skilled and technical sciences" or "STS"). Prior to the expiration of provisional licensure, such applicants must demonstrate progress towards meeting certification requirements.

(e) On or before January 20, 2022, the Department of Education shall provide a report to the General Assembly on the impact of the established requirement of the performance assessment under this subchapter. Such report shall be conducted by an independent entity. The report shall include, but not be limited to, a comparative analysis of student performance of students taught by novice educators having passed a performance assessment and students taught by novice educators who have not successfully passed a performance assessment. The report shall include overall educator retention rates, including information on educators who remain in original placement schools and educators who remain in the teaching profession. The report shall be inclusive of the academic years July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2021.

80 Del. Laws, c. 297, § 1.;