Public accountability and state approval of school leader preparation programs.

The Department of Education shall establish a process for the approval of Level I and Level II school leader preparation programs that will enable aspiring school leaders to obtain their certificates in educational leadership under s. 1012.56. School leader preparation programs must be competency-based, aligned to the principal leadership standards adopted by the state board, and open to individuals employed by public schools, including charter schools and virtual schools. Level I programs lead to initial certification in educational leadership for the purpose of preparing individuals to serve as school administrators. Level II programs build upon Level I training and lead to renewal certification as a school principal.

(1) PURPOSE.—The purpose of school leader preparation programs is to:

(a) Increase the supply of effective school leaders in the public schools of this state.

(b) Produce school leaders who are prepared to lead the state’s diverse student population in meeting high standards for academic achievement.

(c) Enable school leaders to facilitate the development and retention of effective and highly effective classroom teachers.

(d) Produce leaders with the competencies and skills necessary to achieve the state’s education goals.

(e) Sustain the state system of school improvement and education accountability.

(2) LEVEL I PROGRAMS.—

(a) Initial approval of a Level I program shall be for a period of 5 years. A postsecondary institution, school district, charter school, or charter management organization may submit to the department in a format prescribed by the department an application to establish a Level I school leader preparation program. To be approved, a Level I program must:

1. Provide competency-based training aligned to the principal leadership standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

2. If the program is provided by a postsecondary institution, partner with at least one school district.

3. Describe the qualifications that will be used to determine program admission standards, including a candidate’s instructional expertise and leadership potential.

4. Describe how the training provided through the program will be aligned to the personnel evaluation criteria under s. 1012.34.

(b) Renewal of a Level I program’s approval shall be for a period of 5 years and shall be based upon evidence of the program’s continued ability to meet the requirements of paragraph (a). A postsecondary institution or school district must submit an institutional program evaluation plan in a format prescribed by the department for a Level I program to be considered for renewal. The plan must include:

1. The percentage of personnel who complete the program and are placed in school leadership positions in public schools within the state.

2. Results from the personnel evaluations required under s. 1012.34 for personnel who complete the program.

3. The passage rate of personnel who complete the program on the Florida Education Leadership Examination.

4. The impact personnel who complete the program have on student learning as measured by the formulas developed by the commissioner pursuant to s. 1012.34(7).

5. Strategies for continuous improvement of the program.

6. Strategies for involving personnel who complete the program, other school personnel, community agencies, business representatives, and other stakeholders in the program evaluation process.

7. Additional data included at the discretion of the postsecondary institution or school district.

(c) A Level I program must guarantee the high quality of personnel who complete the program for the first 2 years after program completion or the person’s initial certification as a school leader, whichever occurs first. If a person who completed the program is evaluated at less than highly effective or effective under s. 1012.34 and the person’s employer requests additional training, the Level I program must provide additional training at no cost to the person or his or her employer. The training must include the creation of an individualized plan agreed to by the employer that includes specific learning outcomes. The Level I program is not responsible for the person’s employment contract with his or her employer.

(3) LEVEL II PROGRAMS.—Initial approval and subsequent renewal of a Level II program shall be for a period of 5 years. A school district, charter school, or charter management organization may submit to the department in a format prescribed by the department an application to establish a Level II school leader preparation program or for program renewal. To be approved or renewed, a Level II program must:

(a) Demonstrate that personnel accepted into the Level II program have:

1. Obtained their certificate in educational leadership under s. 1012.56.

2. Earned a highly effective or effective designation under s. 1012.34.

3. Satisfactorily performed instructional leadership responsibilities as measured by the evaluation system in s. 1012.34.

(b) Demonstrate that the Level II program:

1. Provides competency-based training aligned to the principal leadership standards adopted by the State Board of Education.

2. Provides training aligned to the personnel evaluation criteria under s. 1012.34 and professional learning program in s. 1012.986.

3. Provides individualized instruction using a customized learning plan for each person enrolled in the program that is based on data from self-assessment, selection, and appraisal instruments.

4. Conducts program evaluations and implements program improvements using input from personnel who completed the program and employers and data gathered pursuant to paragraph (2)(b).

(c) Gather and monitor the data specified in paragraph (2)(b).

(4) PROGRAM PROHIBITIONS; REQUIREMENTS.—

(a) School leader preparation programs may not distort significant historical events or include curriculum or instruction that teaches identity politics, violates s. 1000.05, or is based on theories that systemic racism, sexism, oppression, and privilege are inherent in the institutions of the United States and were created to maintain social, political, and economic inequities.

(b) School leader preparation programs must afford candidates the opportunity to demonstrate mastery of program content, including instructional leadership strategies, coaching development, school safety, and continuous improvement efforts.

(5) RULES.—The State Board of Education shall adopt rules to administer this section.