ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES CHAPTER 6.00 HUMAN RESOURCES TEACHING OUT-OF-FIELD 6.22G ADMINISTRATIVE GUIDELINES STATEMENT: Florida Statute 1012.42 provides options by which a certified classroom teacher, other than those teaching ESOL, may be classified as teaching infield. A teacher is designated out-of-field if the teacher is assigned: 1. Outside the field in which the teacher is certified. 2. Outside the field that was the teacher s minor field of study. 3. Outside the field in which the teacher has demonstrated sufficient subject area expertise. The following guidelines may be used to designate infield status: A teacher who has a minor in the subject area assignment as shown on an official college transcript, or A teacher who has official documentation of passing the subject area exam for the out-of-field assignment, or A teacher who holds a valid out-of-state certification in the out-of-field area, or With the exception of Exceptional Student Education, a teacher who has had successful teaching experience for two (2) years within the past five (5) years in the out-of-field or related area as documented by past evaluations, or A teacher is certified in one area of special education and placed in an area of special education that requires a different certification. This provision is limited to: V.E., M.H., S.L.D., E.H., or an equivalent certification from another state, or A teacher who is within two (2) courses of completing the requirements for certification in the out-of-field area, or A teacher who has taught in an out-of-field assignment for the district for two years and has completed at least half of the courses for certification in that area, or A teacher who is a fluent speaker of the targeted foreign language and has demonstrated sufficient subject area expertise in the language, or A teacher who has vocational certification in another area or previous vocational teaching experience in the out-of-field area and, in addition, sufficient experience in the out-of-field area to demonstrate expertise in the vocational area, or A teacher who has work experience in the occupational field (e.g. TV production, drama, theatre, etc.) sufficient to demonstrate expertise, or Page 1 of 5 CITRUS 6.22G
A teacher who has taught in a Dropout Prevention Program (DOP) for two (2) years where infield certification was not required due to DOP waivers or Second Chance Schools status. Additionally, demonstration of expertise in the subject area must be sufficient to enable the teacher to provide appropriate instruction for students to master the Sunshine State Standards or other appropriate state standards. Documentation shall include successful evaluations based on the principal s observations of classroom performance. Supporting documentation may be provided through subject area specialist s observations and assessments. Excluding the asterisk (*) bullets above, in areas where the district provides an alternative certification program, such as Exceptional Student Education, teachers will be expected to take at least two (2) courses of district provided training or complete a minimum of six (6) semester hours annually toward certification by district provided training or some other method in order to maintain their infield status. This process will enable principals/supervisors to place teachers in areas where subject area expertise has been demonstrated. It should in no way discourage teachers from completing the requirements for certification in the area of assignment. Schools that are seeking accreditation from the appropriate accrediting agency should consider their standards/requirements when utilizing this policy and its guidelines. Notification to parents or guardians and the requirement of Section 6A-1.0503 Florida State Board Rules are not required for a teacher who meets one of the above options for being considered infield. Should a school need to report an out-of-field placement, it shall be made prior to the next FTE reporting period. Notification should include the teacher s name and the subject area(s) that he/she is teaching out-of-field. The principal/supervisor should complete the following process for documenting of expertise in the subject area: 1. Complete Demonstration of Subject Area Expertise Form with appropriate documentation. 2. Send Demonstration of Subject Area Expertise Form to the certification office of the Director of Personnel. 3. Place copy of Demonstration of Subject Area Expertise Form returned from the certification office in the school site personnel file. Page 2 of 5 CITRUS 6.22G
CITRUS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DEMONSTRATION OF SUBJECT AREA EXPERTISE FORM FLORIDA STATUTE 1012.42 ASSIGNMENT OF TEACHERS OUTSIDE THE FIELD IN WHICH THEY ARE CERTIFIED NAME SCHOOL CURRENT AREA(S) OF CERTIFICATION SUBJECT AREA ASSIGNMENT INITIAL DATE OF OUT-OF-FIELD ASSIGNMENT The teacher has demonstrated subject area expertise in the subject area assignment by one (1) of the following options: A teacher who has a minor in the subject area assignment as shown on an official college transcript or, A teacher who has official documentation of passing the subject area exam for the out-of-field assignment, or A teacher who holds a valid out-of-state certification in the out-of-field area, or With the exception of Exceptional Student Education, a teacher who has had successful teaching experience for two (2) years within the past five (5) years in the out-of-field or related area as documented by past evaluations, or A teacher is certified in one area of special education and placed in an area of special education that requires a different certification. This provision is limited to: V.E., M.H., S.L.D., E.H., or an equivalent certification from another state, or A teacher who may be within two (2) courses of completing the requirements for certification in the out-of-field area, or A teacher who has taught in an out-of-field assignment for the district for two (2) years and has completed at least half of the courses for certification in that area, or A teacher who is a fluent speaker of the targeted foreign language and has demonstrated sufficient subject area expertise in the language, or A teacher who has vocational certification in another area or previous vocational teaching experience in the out-of-field area and, in addition, sufficient experience in the out-of-field area to demonstrate expertise in the vocational area, or A teacher who has work experience in the occupational field (e.g. TV production, drama, theatre, etc.) sufficient to demonstrate expertise, or Page 3 of 5 CITRUS 6.22G
A teacher who has taught in a Dropout Prevention Program (DOP) for two (2) years where infield certification was not required due to DOP waivers or Second Chance Schools status. Subject area expertise must be documented, attached to this form and forwarded to the Director of Human Resources. Documentation shall include successful evaluations based on the principal s observations of classroom performance. Supporting documentation may be provided through subject area specialist s observations and assessments. Demonstration of expertise in the subject area must be sufficient to enable the teacher to provide appropriate instruction for students to master the Sunshine State Standards or other appropriate state standards. This process will enable principals/supervisors to place teachers in areas where subject area expertise has been demonstrated. It should in no way discourage teachers from completing the requirements for certification in the area of assignment. PRINCIPAL SIGNATURE DATE DO NOT WRITE BELOW THIS LINE - FORWARD TO THE DIRECTOR OF HUMAN RESOURCES Approved: Denied: Notes: Human Resources Director or Designee Date Page 4 of 5 CITRUS 6.22G
HISTORY: ADOPTED: 07/10/2001 REVISION DATE(S): 03/02/2010 FORMERLY: 5.21(2))G Page 5 of 5 CITRUS 6.22G