1.3 Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) & Certification Pathways
Key Takeaways
- The Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs), codified in Rule 6A-5.065, F.A.C., form the state's foundational standard for effective instructional practice, teacher preparation, and performance appraisal.
- Florida's certification framework provides two primary educator credentials: the non-renewable Temporary Certificate, valid for five school fiscal years and limited to a one-time issuance, and the renewable five-year Professional Certificate.
- Attaining a Professional Certificate requires passing three FTCE examination components: General Knowledge Test (GKT), Subject Area Examination (SAE), and the Professional Education Test (083).
- The Statement of Eligibility (SOE) issued by the FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification is the official legal evaluation that determines an applicant's qualification status and customized checklist of certification requirements.
- Renewing a 5-year Professional Certificate requires earning 120 in-service points or 6 semester hours of college credit, including a mandatory minimum of 20 points (1 semester hour) dedicated to teaching Students with Disabilities (SWD).
1.3 Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs) & Certification Pathways
Florida's educational governance establishes a rigorous, standards-driven legal framework designed to ensure that every public school classroom is staffed by highly qualified, pedagogically proficient educators. At the core of this system are the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs), codified under Rule 6A-5.065, Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.).
The FEAPs establish the foundational state benchmarks for effective instructional practice across three essential areas of an educator's career: state-approved teacher preparation programs, continuous classroom teacher performance appraisals conducted by school districts, and the test competencies measured on the FTCE Professional Education Test.
1. The 6 Foundational FEAP Domains
Rule 6A-5.065, F.A.C., establishes six core educator accomplished practices. Every scenario question on the FTCE 083 directly aligns with one or more of these practices.
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| THE 6 FLORIDA EDUCATOR ACCOMPLISHED PRACTICES (FEAPs) |
| (Rule 6A-5.065, F.A.C.) |
| |
| [FEAP 1] Instructional Design & Lesson Planning |
| Aligns standards, prerequisite knowledge, and student data |
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| [FEAP 2] The Learning Environment |
| Maintains a safe, student-centered, respectful climate (PBIS) |
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| [FEAP 3] Instructional Delivery & Facilitation |
| Uses explicit instruction, higher-order questioning & tech |
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| [FEAP 4] Assessment |
| Analyzes diagnostic, formative, and summative progress data |
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| [FEAP 5] Continuous Professional Improvement |
| Engages in reflective practice, PLCs, and deliberate growth |
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| [FEAP 6] Professional Responsibility & Ethical Conduct |
| Adheres to Rule 6A-10.081, F.A.C. (Code of Ethics & Conduct) |
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Detailed Breakdown of the 6 FEAPs:
- Instructional Design and Lesson Planning: The educator applies foundational knowledge of human development, learning theories, curriculum standards, and student data to design rigorous, coherent instruction. Emphasizes backward design, measurable objectives, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), and pre-assessment diagnostics.
- The Learning Environment: The educator fosters a student-centered classroom climate that promotes physical and emotional safety, equity, cultural responsiveness, mutual respect, and high academic expectations. Incorporates Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS), smooth procedural transitions, and proactive classroom management.
- Instructional Delivery and Facilitation: The educator utilizes research-based explicit instructional strategies, deep modeling, scaffolding, differentiated pacing, higher-order questioning techniques (Bloom's Revised Taxonomy / Webb's DOK), and structured cooperative learning.
- Assessment: The educator systematically designs, selects, and administers diverse diagnostic, formative, interim, and summative assessment tools to monitor student learning progressions, provide descriptive feedback, and dynamically adapt instructional pacing.
- Continuous Professional Improvement: The educator engages in ongoing, data-driven reflective practice, participates actively in Professional Learning Communities (PLCs), pursues targeted professional growth plans (e.g., Florida Deliberate Practice plans), and applies evidence-based educational research.
- Professional Responsibility and Ethical Conduct: The educator adheres strictly to the Code of Ethics and Principles of Professional Conduct for the Education Profession in Florida (Rule 6A-10.081, F.A.C.), maintains student confidentiality under FERPA, complies with mandatory child abuse reporting statutes (F.S. §39.201), and maintains collaborative partnerships with families and community stakeholders.
2. Florida Teacher Certification Architecture
The Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Bureau of Educator Certification (BEC) oversees the credentialing of all instructional personnel in Florida public, charter, and participating private schools.
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| FLORIDA TEACHER CERTIFICATION PIPELINE |
| |
| [APPLICANT SUBMITS APPLICATION & TRANSCRIPTS TO FLDOE BEC] |
| | |
| v |
| [STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY (SOE) ISSUED] --------------------------------- |
| - Official evaluation valid for 3 years |
| - Outlines exact requirements needed for certification |
| | |
| v (Secure Employment + Fingerprint Clearance) |
| [TEMPORARY CERTIFICATE ISSUED] ------------------------------------------ |
| - Valid for 5 school fiscal years; one-time issuance; non-renewable |
| - Allows full-time teaching while completing exam/coursework mandates |
| | |
| v (Complete 3 FTCE Exams + Pro Ed Program) |
| [PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE ISSUED] --------------------------------------- |
| - Valid for 5 Years (Renewable) |
| - Highest standard instructional credential in Florida |
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The Statement of Eligibility (SOE):
The Statement of Eligibility (SOE) is the foundational legal document issued by the FLDOE after reviewing a candidate's formal application, fee, and official college transcripts. The SOE establishes whether the applicant is eligible for a certificate and provides an itemized checklist of specific requirements (e.g., required exams, courses, or teaching experience) that must be fulfilled to convert to a Professional Certificate. An SOE is valid for 3 years.
3. Temporary Certificate vs. Professional Certificate
Florida law delineates two primary certification tiers for instructional personnel.
| Credential Attribute | Temporary Educator Certificate | Professional Educator Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose & Target | Entry-level credential allowing career changers, non-education majors, and out-of-state applicants to teach full-time while completing licensure mandates. | The standard, full professional credential issued to fully qualified Florida educators. |
| Validity Period | 5 school fiscal years, limited to a one-time issuance, non-renewable under s. 1012.56(7)(f)1., F.S., and Rule 6A-4.004(1)(a), F.A.C. (Many third-party sources still describe a 3-year temporary certificate; that period was extended, so use the statute.) | 5 Years (Renewable indefinitely every 5-year cycle). |
| Issuance Requirements | 1. Official Statement of Eligibility (SOE) indicating eligibility.<br>2. Bachelor's degree with an eligible major or passing Subject Area Exam (SAE).<br>3. Employment in a Florida public, charter, or approved private school.<br>4. Fingerprinting and criminal history background clearance. | 1. Satisfy General Knowledge requirement (FTCE GKT or approved alternate).<br>2. Demonstrate Subject Area Mastery (FTCE SAE).<br>3. Demonstrate Professional Preparation (Pass FTCE PEd 083 + complete approved EPI/district alternative program or education degree). |
| Renewal / Extension | Strictly Non-Renewable. Must convert to Professional Certificate prior to expiration. | Renewable every 5 years upon completing continuing education requirements. |
4. The Florida Teacher Examination Battery (The FTCE Trio)
To earn a 5-year Professional Certificate, educators in Florida must demonstrate mastery across three distinct assessment components:
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| THE THREE REQUIRED FTCE EXAMINATIONS |
| |
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| | 1. FTCE GENERAL KNOWLEDGE TEST (GKT) | |
| | - Assesses basic skills: Essay, ELS, Reading, Mathematics | |
| | - Can be satisfied via qualifying GRE/SAT/ACT concordant scores | |
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| + |
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| | 2. FTCE SUBJECT AREA EXAMINATION (SAE) | |
| | - Assesses specific content expertise (e.g., Elem Ed K-6, | |
| | Math 6-12, English 6-12, Biology 6-12, ESE K-12, Social Sci) | |
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| + |
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| | 3. FTCE PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION TEST (PEd - Exam 083) | |
| | - Assesses pedagogical competence, FEAPs, Florida statutes, | |
| | instructional delivery, assessment, ethics, ELL, and literacy | |
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| = |
| PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE ELIGIBILITY |
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Professional Preparation Routes:
In addition to passing the exam trio, candidates holding a Temporary Certificate must complete a state-approved professional preparation program, such as:
- Educator Preparation Institute (EPI): A structured post-baccalaureate competency-based program offered by Florida colleges and universities.
- District Alternative Certification Program (DACP): A district-administered job-embedded training program with mentoring and portfolio evaluations.
- Traditional Initial Teacher Preparation (ITP): Completion of a state-approved bachelor's or master's degree in education from an accredited institution.
5. Professional Certificate Renewal & The Mandatory SWD Requirement
A Florida Professional Educator's Certificate is valid for five (5) school fiscal years (expiring on June 30 of the final year). To maintain active certified status, educators must complete continuing professional development during each 5-year validity cycle.
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| 5-YEAR PROFESSIONAL CERTIFICATE RECERTIFICATION |
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| TOTAL REQUIREMENT: 120 IN-SERVICE POINTS (or 6 Semester Hours Credit) |
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| | GENERAL IN-SERVICE / COLLEGE CREDIT | MANDATORY SWD CREDIT | |
| | - 100 In-Service Points (or 5 credits)| - 20 In-Service Points (1 cr| |
| | - Content-area pedagogy, literacy, | - Specific to Teaching | |
| | technology, leadership, PLCs | Students with Disabilities| |
| +---------------------------------------+-----------------------------+ |
| | |
| v |
| [RENEWED FOR SUBSEQUENT 5-YEAR CYCLE] |
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Renewal Parameters & Mandatory SWD Rule:
- Credit Conversion: 1 semester hour of college credit = 20 in-service points (Master Inservice Plan points earned through school district professional development). Thus, 6 semester hours equal 120 in-service points.
- Mandatory Students with Disabilities (SWD) Requirement: Under Section 1012.585, Florida Statutes, an applicant for renewal of a Professional Certificate must earn at least one (1) semester hour of college credit or twenty (20) in-service points in teaching students with disabilities (SWD). This training must cover instructional strategies for students with disabilities, behavior management, accommodations, or Universal Design for Learning.
- Reading Endorsement / Literacy Requirement: Teachers certified in primary/elementary education or English/Reading must satisfy specific reading instruction credit requirements as designated under current Florida literacy statutes.
- Late Renewal: If a certificate lapses, the educator must submit an application for reinstatement, pay late fees, and fulfill all accrued professional development mandates.
Which Florida administrative rule codifies the Florida Educator Accomplished Practices (FEAPs), establishing the state's foundational standards for instructional design, learning environments, delivery, assessment, continuous improvement, and professional ethics?
A teacher holding a standard 5-year renewable Florida Professional Educator's Certificate is preparing to renew their credential prior to expiration. Under Section 1012.585, Florida Statutes, which continuing education requirement is MANDATORY within the 120 required in-service points?
A career changer with a bachelor's degree in chemistry applies for Florida teacher certification and receives an official document from the FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification stating they are eligible for a Temporary Certificate in Chemistry 6-12 and listing the remaining exams and professional coursework required for a Professional Certificate. What is this official FLDOE document called?