The Legislature, the Department of Education, and the Education Standards Commission have taken steps to better ensure that teachers provide quality education and foster student learning. Florida has taken action to align the teacher certification and preparation systems with the Sunshine State Standards for student performance. Further, the 1997 Legislature revised the requirements for districts' teacher evaluation systems, which must now include indicators of improvement in student performance.
However, while recent certification system modifications do include greater emphasis on student performance, certification requirements do not directly specify that students must demonstrate improved performance for a teacher to maintain certification. In addition, the Department has not yet identified specific goals and objectives for teacher certification, nor has it developed performance benchmarks and outcome measures to assess the effectiveness of teacher certification.

Progress Report: Fewer Teacher Certification Staff Needed Because of Streamlining and Technology
Report 99-49 April 2000
Management Training Act Should Be Revised
Report 99-26 January 2000
Review of the Decentralization of the Teacher Certification Renewal Process
Report 96-52 February 1997
Review of Florida's Teacher Certification System Administered by the Department of Education
Report 95-10 October 1995

Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.