14 Del. Admin. Code § 291-4.0

Current through Register Vol. 28, No. 5, November 1, 2024

Section 291-4.0 - ARTC Program Requirements

4.1 In order to be approved by the Department, an ARTC program shall complete the process in Section 5.0 and meet the applicable requirements set forth in subsections 4.2 through 4.4, State requirements, and, where applicable, national standards appropriate to the program.

4.2 ARTC programs for teachers shall meet the requirements of subsections 4.2.1 and 4.2.2.

4.2.1 The ARTC program shall provide a period of intensive on-the-job supervision.

4.2.1.1 Teachers who are hired as a teacher of record prior to March 1 of any school year shall be observed by a credentialed observer in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 106A and receive a formal written progress report before the end of a 10-week period beginning on the first day the teacher assumes full responsibility of the classroom. In addition, teachers shall be observed formally and evaluated by a credentialed observer in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 106A.

4.2.1.1.1 No more than 2 months shall pass without a formal observation.

4.2.1.1.2 Opportunities shall be provided for the teacher to observe the teaching of experienced colleagues.

4.2.1.2 Teachers who are hired as a teacher of record after March 1 of any school year shall be observed by a credentialed observer in accordance with 14 DE Admin. Code 106A.

4.2.2 ARTC programs shall provide a period of professional development prior to the teacher assuming full responsibility of the classroom.

4.2.2.1 The program shall offer a summer institute of no less than 120 instructional clock hours completed by the participant prior to the beginning of the participant's teaching assignment.

4.2.2.2 The summer institute shall include an orientation to the policies, organization, and curriculum of the employing school district or charter school, instructional strategies and classroom management, and child or adolescent development.

4.2.2.3 Participants who are employed too late to participate in the summer institute shall complete the practicum experience and seminars on teaching during the first school year and shall participate in the summer institute following their first year of teaching.

4.2.3 Programs in content areas shall maintain CAEP accreditation.

4.3 Pursuant to 14 Del.C. § 1266, ARTC programs for teachers of students with disabilities shall meet the requirements of subsections 4.3.1 through 4.3.4.

4.3.1 The program shall deliver high quality professional development that is sustained, intensive, and classroom-focused. A participant who seeks initial certification through participation in an ARTC program and is hired after July 1 of a school year shall fulfill the 120 hour seminar/practicum requirement prior to the start of the following school year.

4.3.2 The program shall work with local education agencies (LEAs) to ensure participants receive intensive supervision that consists of structured guidance, regular ongoing support, or teacher mentoring. The program shall observe and provide feedback at least 3 times in the first year.

4.3.3 The program shall require completion of the program within 3 years from the beginning of a participant's participation in the program.

4.3.4 The program shall require teachers to demonstrate satisfactory progress toward standard certification.

4.4 ARTC programs for leaders shall meet the requirements of subsections 4.4.1 through 4.4.5.

4.4.1 The program shall include a minimum of 18 graduate level credit hours or the equivalent in professional development, aligned with state standards and focused on the responsibilities for which the certification program is designed.

4.4.2 The program shall include a minimum of 240 hours of a residency, internship, or clinical experience, under the mentorship of a currently employed and accomplished or distinguished leader in the role as provided in 14 DE Admin. Code 108A, for which the program is certifying. The leader shall hold 1 or more of the Standard Certificates for administrators and have received training within the program to fulfill the mentor role.

4.4.3 The program shall include an additional 20 hours of coaching following employment in the certified area.

4.4.4 The program shall include training and successful certification in the Delaware Teacher Growth and Support System (DTGSS) and Delaware Performance Appraisal System (DPAS II).

4.4.4.1 For all administrator certification programs, training and certification in DTGSS for teachers and DPAS II for specialists shall be completed during the program or at the time of certification.

4.4.4.2 For programs for the Certified Central Office Personnel (14 DE Admin. Code 1592), Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1593), Special Education Director Standard Certificate (14 DE Admin. Code 1594), and Charter School Leader (14 DE Admin. Code 1596), participants shall complete training and certification DPAS II for administrators during the program or at the time of certification.

4.4.5 The program shall include an evaluation process that includes evaluation of the participant for competency and evaluation of the program effectiveness, including the clinical placements, mentors, and the program's coursework or professional development.

14 Del. Admin. Code § 291-4.0

28 DE Reg. 114 (8/1/2024) (Final)