DELAWARE PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS BOARD
The Townsend Building
401 Federal Street, Suite 2
Dover, Delaware 19901
Meeting Minutes
The Department of Education
The Cabinet Room
September 4, 2014
5:00 P.M.
Members Present: Diane Albanese, Linda Brown, Jennifer Burton, Michael Casson, Stephanie Dewitt, Nelia Dolan, Cristy Greaves, Darren Guido, David Kohan, Rosaria Macera, Byron Murphy, Darlene O’Neill, Mary Pinkston and Stephanie Smith,
Members Absent: Michael Casson, Wendy Murray and Mary Pinkston
Others Present: Chris Kenton; PSB Executive Director, Paula Fontello; Deputy Attorney General, Kimberly Rodriguez; Secretary to PSB, Deb Stevens; DSEA, Deb Hansen; DOE, Dr. Williamson; Wilmington University, Laura Glass; University of DE, Shana Young; DOE
I. Opening
Call to Order: Mr. Murphy, Professional Standards Board Chair, called the meeting to Order at 5:08 p.m.
Introduction
Introductions of the Board Members around the table.
Approval of Agenda
A Motion was made by Mr. Kohan and Seconded by Ms. Brown to approve September 4, 2014 Agenda. The motion carried unanimously.
Approval of Minutes for August 7, 2014
A Motion was made by Ms. Macera and Seconded by Ms. Brown to approve the August 7, 2014 Minutes. The motion carried unanimously.
II. Executive Director’s Report
· The PSB Executive Director shared that he had several meetings with Erin Pieshala and Maria Degnats in the Licensure and Certification Department;
· Presented at the DOE Personnel Directors Meeting. Met with Angeline Rivello and Jon Neubauer regarding 1513 and 1514;
· Met with Wendy Modzelewski and presented 1599. 1599 was approved by the State Board and went to Final Order. 1599 should be published in the September 1, 2014 Register of Regulations and will go into effect on September 11, 2014;
· Met with Donna Johnson from the State Board of Education and gave an overview of what the PSB is working on;
· Update on the upcoming regulations;
· Submitted Final Order 1599 to the Register of Regulations;
· Met with John Goodwin to review the PSB Website changes. The new website will be coming soon;
· Attended the 2nd revocation meeting. Another meeting is set for this week and more to come;
· The individual pending hearings request are presented to the Professional Standards Board for consideration after the hearing process is completed and the hearing officer issues a proposed decision. One matter may be on the agenda in November or December.
III. Discussion Items
A. 1571 – A revised draft of 1571 was discussed. Shana Young from TLEU appeared and provided information on behalf of the Department of Education.
o The Executive Director commented on the changes to 1571. Some of the proposed changes are: 1.0 (content vs category certification). Category describes the students that are in the class. 1571 would be a category certificate. An educator must hold a content certificate as well. The Executive Director has been working with the DOE on the specific content areas required under the draft regulation. According to the information sent to the Executive Director, Wesley College is offering a dual certification. Mr. Kenton provided a list of Wesley College courses.
o Dr. Laura Glass (Guest from University of DE) commented on the questions from the Board. Some of the courses were offered but the students never showed up so they had to move the classes and when they were offered.
o Questions were raised regarding the requirements for future applicants and the requirements of course count in the draft and what will be retroactive to current holders of special education certification.
o Ms. Fontello clarified that under the pending draft the new course count requirements would only apply to a new applicant going forward after the effective date of the regulation.
o It was also clarified that Section 4.0 in the draft takes the current requirements which is only the passage of a Praxis II examination and adds the requirement of additional education either by obtaining a degree in Special Education or completion of courses or equivalent in professional development in the specific course areas. The regulation changes do not propose a course count but list out areas of content that the applicant must complete. It was clarified that the draft increases the requirement’s rigor for an applicant to become certified in this area. The regulation also delays the effective date of the regulation until July 1, 2015 and anyone applying on or after that date would be subject to the new requirements.
o A member from the Board asked for clarification on 4.1.2 and the changes to the specific content areas.
o Ms. Young gave clarification that there was discussion about special education law classes and the availability.
o Ms. Fontello discussed the possible methods of resolution to the questions raised.
o A question was asked from the Executive Director about Section 4. How did the 15 credits and the electives come about? He wanted to know what was the process.
o Ms. Fontello clarified for the new members that the PSB works in consultation and cooperation with the Department of Education. Once a regulation amendment is approved, it still needs State Board approval. Ms. Fontello provided an overview on the process for voting for final approval.
o The Board held discussions regarding issue of grandfathering and discussed the concerns that the regulation should be explicit. Need to add a primary assignment definition and what the assignment would look like.
o Ms. Young gave her comments regarding 1571 and discussed the Department’s desire to give clarity to the hiring authority and preference to give educator’s a 2 year window to become content certified. A lengthy discussion was held regarding the regulation and many questions were asked about special education and the practices of different schools and districts. No action was taken on the draft regulation changes and it is anticipated that the regulation will be brought forward with additional amendments at a future meeting.
B. 1572 – Teacher of Students Who Are Gifted Or Talented (For Publication)
o The Executive Director made comments regarding the changes that have been made on the regulation. Ms. Fontello clarified that the amended regulation and the proposal to adopt a Praxis II examination was on the past agenda; however, the action on the adoption of the Praxis II examination was tabled at the May 2014 meeting because the regulation amendments did not move forward. Ms. Fontello further explained that under language of the current regulation, if Praxis II was adopted prior to the proposed amendments being final, the adoption of a Praxis II examination removes the current requirement of the course count. Ms. Fontello further clarified that the proposal is to keep the course count and add a Praxis II examination requirement on top of the course count in response to the Gifted and Talented Task Force recommendations.
A question was raised regarding the use of the term Exceptional Children. Mr. Fontello clarified that the draft change includes the recognition of a degree or courses or equivalent professional development in specific content areas. It was also clarified that under Delaware law, the use of exceptional children applies to both gifted or talented students and students with disabilities.
o Ms. Hansen commented on the matrix of content areas, the task force recommendations, and the various definitions in the area of gifted or talented education. Ms. Hansen explained that according to one definition, a student could be gifted or talented but a student could never be talented without being gifted.
o Ms. Hansen commented that the Board is on the right track and there has been more movement in the area of gifted education and accelerated education. Ms. Hansen also clarified that the proposed Praxis II examination has already been benchmarked with Delaware educators represented on the panel.
o Ms. Fontello clarified that the proposed Praxis II examination has not yet been adopted. She clarified that under the proposed draft the examination of content knowledge language is incorporated in the draft regulation through the incorporation of 1505 Standard Certificate. Ms. Fontello further clarified that the recommendation would be to move forward the adoption of Praxis II when the amended regulation is presented for final approval and to coordinate that the adoption of the Praxis II examination and the regulation amendments become effective at the same time.
o A motion was made by Dr. Greaves to move forward 1572 for Publication and seconded from Dr. Guido. The motion carried unanimously.
C. Regulations 1507, 1512, 1513, 1514, 1559, 1561, 1562, 1580 and 1590
o The Board reviewed the regulations and discussed the 5 year review cycle. As the regulations are reviewed in a five year cycle, these regulations will be moving forward for review for any necessary changes or for reauthorization if no changes are deemed necessary.
IV. Presentation
None
V. Action Items
None
VI. PSB Standing Committees
A. Licensure and Certification Criteria Committee
o None
B. Professional Development and Associated Compensation
o None
VII. Other
None
VIII. Public Comment
None
IX. Adjournment
A motion was made by Dr. Guido and was seconded by Ms. Dewitt to adjourn the meeting. The motion carried. The meeting adjourned at 7:41 p.m.
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