School District of Palm Beach County Guidelines for Career Education Programs And District Issued Career & Technical Education Certificates Implemented 2007
Presented in partnership by the Division of Human Resources ---- Darron Davis, Chief of Human Resources Mission Statement The School Board of Palm Beach County is committed to excellence in education and preparation of all our students with the knowledge, skills and ethics required for responsible citizenship and productive employment. (approved April 5, 1995) Career & Technical Education (CTE) (part of the Department of Choice Programs & School Choice) The Career & Technical Education team is a district resource linking educators, businesses, and the community to prepare students with the knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and successful careers in a global society. (approved January 18, 2005) Arthur C. Johnson, Ph.D., Superintendent Ann Killets, Chief Academic Officer Mary Vreeland, Director of Choice Programs, School Choice Connie Scotchel-Gross, Manager of Career Education Mary Chesser, Manager of Certification 2
Table of Contents I Guidelines to Issue Career & Technical Education Certificates 4 Basic Requirements for Initial Employment 4 Verification of Occupational Expertise 5 Other Requirements 6 Recency of Experience Requirements 7 Computation of Work Experience 8 II Employment of Teachers In Full-Time Career & Technical Programs 9 Application 9 Employment Vacancies and Selection Procedures 9 Contract for Employment 9 District Issued Professional Certificate Renewal Requirements 10 Bargaining Unit Representation 10 III Professional Preparation Plan for District Issued Career & Technical Education Certificates 13 Professional Certification Plan 13 Course Offerings and Locations 15 Procedures to Obtain a Career & Technical Education Instructional Certificate 17 Career & Technical Education Subject Area Listing appendix Sample Certificate appendix Application Packet appendix 3
I GUIDELINES FOR THE EMPLOYMENT OF TEACHERS IN FULL-TIME CAREER AND TECHNICAL PROGRAMS The School Board of Palm Beach County defines non-degreed teachers of Career and Technical Education programs as those staff members whose qualifications are established on the basis of occupational expertise in areas of agriculture, business, health occupations, family and consumer science, industrial, marketing and public service education, and who are assigned to teach only Career & Technical Education courses when the Course Code Directory specifies non-degreed career and technical teachers as appropriate. Career and Technical Education courses may be taught by qualified non-degreed personnel with expertise based upon verified satisfactory occupational experience. Degreed personnel who hold a degree in the appropriate field of Career & Technical Education may be employed as a career and technical education teacher. The School Board authorizes the employment of personnel to teach full-time in nondegreed Career and Technical Education programs in compliance with Section 1012.39(1) (C) Florida Statutes. The School Board authorizes the Division of Human Resources to issue a District certificate in accordance with the provisions of this Policy and Statute. The District Superintendent or designee shall ensure that each candidate for employment in a full-time Career and Technical Education instructional position meets minimum requirements for employment and shall maintain records of such information in the candidate s official personnel and certification files. Basic Requirements for Initial Employment: A high school diploma or the equivalent based on general educational development tests. Meet the age requirement that has been established for instructional personnel. Meet the health requirements that have been established for instructional personnel. Submit fingerprints in the same manner as required by 1012.32 Florida Statutes. Verification of occupational expertise in the area of assignment. Verification of Occupational Expertise: Occupational expertise shall be established in the area of assignment by one of the plans specified below: 4
Plan One: At least six (6) years of full-time occupational experience or the equivalent part-time experience in the occupational field of the teaching assignment. OR Plan Two: A minimum of two (2) years of full-time occupational experience or the equivalent in part-time experience in the occupational field of the teaching assignment with a bachelor s or higher degree. The degree must have been completed at an accredited institution with an undergraduate or graduate degree major related to the instructional assignment. Example: A bachelor s degree in Architecture in combination with occupational experience in drafting. NOTE: Upon review of submitted transcripts, graduate level medical professionals with a state/national and license/certification may count clinical experience hours towards occupational experience. OR Plan Three: A minimum of four (4) years of full-time occupational experience or the equivalent in part-time experience in the occupational field of the teaching assignment in combination with one of the options listed below: (1) Thirty-six (36) semester hours of college credit. The college credit must have been earned at an accredited institution in skills or theory courses related to the instructional assignment. This option could be expanded to accept an associate degree (60 hours) from an accredited institution in the area of assignment. Example: An AA or AS degree in Fire Science or thirty-six (36) semester hours in fire science in combination with occupational experience in fire fighting. (2) Successful completion of a program of training. The training program must be specific to the area of assignment and completed at a postsecondary vocational or technical institution approved by the state board for vocational education in the state where the institution is located. NOTE: It is important to verify that an individual completed a preparatory program and not a supplemental program or component of a program. A preparatory program should require approximately 900-1,080 clock hours or more of training. Completion of the program must be verified by requiring a transcript or a photocopy of the Certificate of Training that reflects the number 5
Other Requirements: of hours completed in the program. The school can verify the number of hours completed if they are not shown on the certificate. (3) A valid certificate, registration, or license, which was issued by a recognized state or national credentialing agency in the area specific to the area of the assignment. The list of appropriate credentials and the recognized credentialing agency is included in this document with the description of the credential. NOTE: State issued licenses are required for specific CTE programs. Licenses issued by city or county are not appropriate. Photocopies of the license are appropriate for documentation. Example: Numerous health programs must be taught by instructors who are licensed by the State or a national credentialing agency for students who complete the program to be eligible for employment or to apply for credentialing. (4) A certificate of completion of an apprenticeship as established by the United States Department of Labor, the Florida Department of Labor, or any state apprenticeship department which is specific to the area of assignment. NOTE: State or national apprenticeship programs are eligible, as well as apprenticeship programs completed through unions or other organizations. Photocopies of the apprenticeship program are appropriate documentation. Occupational experience shall be gained as a wage earner after age sixteen (16). Occupational experience shall be verified by: a) former employers OR b) for self-employment, experience in a family owned business, or experience in a firm no longer in business, the experience shall be verified by an individual knowledgeable of the applicant s service. In a family owned entrepreneurship, experience may be verified by accountant or business owner. The verification shall be provided on business stationery or a notarized affidavit. (Business stationery developed on a computer should be notarized.) 6
The verification shall specify: dates of employment job title(s), job descriptions and responsibilities full-time or part-time employment. (If employment is part-time, the number of hours worked per week shall be included.) Other acceptable documents that may be submitted for verification of occupational experience: Military separation form (DD 214) Military evaluation Employment documentation from the labor union Unacceptable documents: Internal Revenue Service W-4 form Social Security document Contract and/or lease When occupational credentialing is required for program approval or for students to obtain an appropriate level of employment, the applicant shall be required to present the appropriate valid certificate, registration, or license. Recency of Experience or Training Requirements: Recency of experience or training shall be required in the occupational field of the CTE teaching assignment as follows: OR At least twelve (12) weeks of occupational experience gained within a five (5) year period immediately preceding the date of application for employment At least three (3) semester hours of college credit earned within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of application for employment. The college credit shall be earned at an accredited institution and shall be completed in skills or theory related to the area of assignment OR Completion of a vocational training program within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of application for employment OR One (1) year of successful teaching experience in the program area of assignment during the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of application for employment. 7
Computation of Work Experience The six (6) years of occupational experience required in Florida Statute 1012.39 is based on a 40-hour work week. Therefore, the work experience requirement may be established on full-time or part-time experience, but the experience must equal forty (40) hours per week. If the employer submits verification that the experience was completed on a full-time basis with employment in one CTE subject area only, it is not necessary to obtain verification of the number of hours worked each week. Only 40 hours each week may be utilized in a single subject area to satisfy the required occupational experience. Verification of the number of hours worked each week must be submitted if original documentation does not provide clarification regarding full-time employment. 8
Employment Procedures: II Employment of Teachers in Full-Time Career and Technical Education Programs Application: The application procedures for the full-time non-degreed teachers of career and technical programs shall be the same as the procedures for other full-time instructional personnel in accordance with school board policy. However, an application for a State of Florida teaching certificate shall not be required. Therefore, eligibility for a District issued Career and Technical Educator Certificate is required. Employment Vacancies and Selection Procedures: Employment opportunities and selection procedures shall be the same as those for other full-time instructional personnel in accordance with School Board policy. Per State Statute 1012.43(2) A holder of a certificate based on nonacademic preparation which entitled him/her to teach classes in career and technical or adult education shall not be assigned to teach in a regular academic field of the kindergarten through grade 12 school program. Contract for Employment: Initial Employment: Non-degreed or degreed full-time teachers of career and Technical Education programs will be issued a temporary three-year non-renewable, full-time Career and Technical Education Certificate in accordance with School Board policy. During the first year of employment, demonstrate successful instructional performance by completion of the Educator Support Program (ESP) and instructional evaluations. Continued Employment: During the validity period of the initial temporary three (3) year non-renewable certificate, the teacher must participate and successfully complete: Twelve (12) semester hours of college credit for non-degree teachers, earned in an accredited and approved institution, in the following areas: AND 1. Three (3) semester hours in teaching methods 2. Three (3) semester hours in course construction 3. Three (3) semester hours in lesson planning and evaluation 4. Three (3) semester hours in teaching special needs student 9
Demonstration of successful teaching performance Professional Service Contract: A professional service contract shall be issued to non-degreed and degreed full-time teachers of career and technical programs after the third year of employment in accordance with School Board policy for certificated personnel and when the requirements for a District issued professional five-year Career and Technical Educator Certificate as specified below have been met: 1. Three years of successful teaching in the area for which occupational expertise was established 2. Completion of twelve (12) semester hours of college credit in education courses 3. Demonstration of successful instructional performance by successful completion of an Educator Support Program (ESP) and Instructional Evaluation. Professional services contracts shall be retained in accordance with School Board policy for other full-time instructional personnel. District Issued Professional Certificate Renewal Requirements: Certificate renewal is required every five (5) years. Renewal requirements may be met using the following options: A total of 120 in-service points must be earned in a State approved District Master In-Service Plan appropriate to the subject area shown on the certificate and earned during the five (5) year validity period OR Completion of a minimum of six (6) semester hours of college credit specific to the area of teaching assignment(s) during the five (5) year validity period OR Sixty (60) in-service points in combination with one three (3) semester hours of college credit. Bargaining Unit Representation: The non-degreed and degreed full-time teacher of Career and Technical Education programs shall be accorded the same rights and protection of the laws as State certificated teachers of academic courses in accordance with State Statutes 1012.43. 10
III Procedures to Obtain a Palm Beach County Career & Technical Education Instructional Certificate Provide the enclosed EMPLOYMENT VERIFICATION OF OCCUPATIONAL EXPERIENCE form to the employer(s) for whom you worked during the six (6) years you are using for this certification request. Neither you nor any relative may complete this documentation. The employer or someone familiar with your experience in the trade who can verify the experience and its quality must complete the form. Self-employment, experience in family-owned business, or experience at a firm no longer in business may be verified by an individual knowledgeable of your employment and the trade itself. VERIFICATION forms must be notarized. You may download and copy these forms for the number of employers you will be contacting. Submit to the Palm Beach School District Certification Office: 1. Completed application for a school district of Palm Beach County Educator s certificate. 2. Money order (no personal checks, please) for $56 made out to the School District of Palm Beach County. 3. Transcripts for any college credit or degrees you have completed. However, a degree is not required. 4. Copies of any licenses or applicable certificates for performing the trade. Below are general guidelines for determining appropriateness of work experience: 1. Experience must have been in the competitive workplace, using the skills of the trade. 2. Experience is calculated as a 40-hour work week. One year is equivalent to 2000 hours. 3. Teaching experience will not be accepted as work experience, except for recency qualifications. 4. Depending on course work and/or degrees earned, two (2) to six (6) years of documented experience is required. 5. Recency of experience or training shall be required in the occupational field of the teaching assignment as follows: OR A. At least twelve (12) weeks of occupational experience in a position related to the instructional assignment must be gained within the five (5) year period immediately preceding the date of the application for employment as a teacher (i.e.: 40 clock hours -480 hours of consecutive employment) 11
B. At least three (3) semester hours of college credit earned within the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of application for teaching position. The college credit shall be earned at an accredited institution and completed in skills or theory course related to the area of assignment. OR C. One (1) year of successful teaching experience in the program area of assignment during the three (3) year period immediately preceding the date of application for employment. 12
District Issued Career & Technical Education Professional Certification Plan Name: Certification Coverage: School: Home Address: City: State: Date: Social Security No.: County Certificate No.: E-mail: Zip Code: Day Phone: Home Phone: Identify the date of issued 3-year Temporary Certificate Date Teaching Methods (3 Semester Hours) Course Number Course Title University or Source of Course Enrollment Date Completion Date Course Construction (3 Semester Hours) Course Number Course Title University or Source of Course Enrollment Date Completion Date Lesson Planning & Evaluation (3 Semester Hours) 13
Course Number Course Title University or Source of Course Enrollment Date Completion Date Teaching Special Needs Students (3 Semester Hours) Course Number Course Title University or Source of Course Enrollment Date Completion Date Completion of Teacher Support Program (ESP) Enrollment Date Completion Date Signature of School Designee Course Offerings and Locations 14
Teaching Methods ** Course Number Course Title College/University Instructional Delivery EPI 0001 Classroom Management Palm Beach CC Traditional EVT 4365 Teaching Methods St. Petersburg On-line VTE-ED 578 Classroom Management University of Phoenix On-line VTE-ED 530 Secondary Methods for Classroom Teachers University of Phoenix On-line Course Construction ** Course Number Course Title College/University Instructional Delivery EVT 3312 Course Construction for Health UCF On- line Occupations EVT 3371 Course Construction for Trade & UCF On-line Industry BTE 4410 Course Construction for UCF On-line Business Education EVT 3815 C Vocational Education Lab FIU Traditional Management & Safety VTE ED Curriculum & Instruction University of On-line 510 Phoenix EVT 3165 Course Construction UWF On-line EVT 3165C Course Planning Voc Ed FIU Traditional EVT 4165 Course Construction & Lesson Planning St. Petersburg On-line Lesson Planning and Evaluation ** Course Number Course Title College/University Instructional Delivery EPI 0002 Instructional Strategies Palm Beach CC Traditional EVT 3365 General Methods & UCF On-line Evaluation EVT 4365 Instructional Strategies & Evaluation in CTE FIU Traditional 15
Teaching Special Needs Students ** Course Number Course Title College/University Instructional Delivery EVT 4562/5565 Special Education UWF On line Needs for CTE Students EVT 3502 Special Needs Students UCF On line in Vocational Education EVT 4562 Vocational Education for St. Petersburg On-line Special Needs Students EVT 4502 Introduction to Vocational Special Needs FIU Traditional Educator Support Program (ESP) School-based **NOTE: Before any courses are taken, please check with the appropriate curriculum specialist in Career Education. 16
Appendix 17
THE SCHOOL DISTRICT OF PALM BEACH COUNTY, FLORIDA DOCUMENTATION OF WORK EXPERIENCE (Refer to pages 5-8 for criteria) To: EMPLOYER: ADDRESS: I am applying for a School District of Palm Beach County Career & Technical Education Certificate, and must provide documentation of successful full-time employment (or the equivalent in part-time employment) in the identified occupation. Please verify the following employment experience in for OCCUPATIONAL FIELD EMPLOYEE ADDRESS PRINT NAME 1. I am/was employed with your company on a O full time, O part-time basis. If part-time, the average number of hours per week is/was. 2. My employment dates are/were to. month/day/year month/day/year 3. My job title was. 4. My responsibilities are/were Please complete the attached form, have it notarized, and return to the employee identified above. Signature of employer date 18