Federal legislation in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act requires that districts hire only “highly qualified” substitute teachers. In collaboration with Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS), the SOE developed a one credit course, EDG 2311, that complies with F. S. 1012.35.  The course includes the following: knowledge of district policies and procedures addressing school safety and security protocols, educational liability laws, ethics, and professional responsibilities.

1012.35 Substitute teachers.—
(1) Each district school board shall adopt rules prescribing the compensation of, and the procedure for employment of, substitute teachers.
(a) The procedure for employment must include, but is not limited to, the filing of a complete set of fingerprints as required in s.1012.32; documentation of a minimum education level of a high school diploma or equivalent, and completion of an initial orientation and training program in district policies and procedures addressing school safety and security procedures, educational liability laws, professional responsibilities and ethics.
(b) Candidates who have no prior teaching experience, as determined by the employing school district, must complete an additional training program that includes classroom management skills and instructional strategies.

Temporary Instructor requirements:

1. 60 credits or more with a 2.5 or higher GPA
2. Fingerprinting and background clearance conducted by M-DCPS
3. Drug test conducted by M-DCPS and passed
4. Essay demonstrating English writing proficiency
5. “C” or higher in EDG2311 or exemption
6. Passing score on all four subtests of the General Knowledge Test (GKT)

PLUS:

M-DCPS Temporary Instructor employment application requirements include:

1. A signed and dated application for Employment (FM3164)
2. The Restricted Personal Data form
3. Two reference evaluation forms and telephone numbers for reference from current employer/supervisor
4. Official transcripts (evidencing 60 or more credits from an accredited college or university)
5. Completed Form DHS I-9
6. An essay/comprehensive writing sample

Courses:

• EDG2311 Substitute Training- REQUIRED
• EDG2301 General Teaching Skills for Temporary Instructors- STRONGLY SUGGESTED
• EDG2413 Effective Classroom Management for Temporary Instructors- STRONGLY SUGGESTED
• EEX2010 Teaching Exceptional Children for Temporary Instructors- STRONGLY SUGGESTED

The Educator Preparation Institute (EPI) is an intensive competency-based alternative pathway to teacher certification in an accelerated mode. The program is designed for non-education majors who have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree to become “highly qualified” teachers and obtain professional state certificate.  Programs address high-need subject areas and specializations such as: Exceptional Student Education (K-12), Mathematics Education (6-12), Science Education (6-12), and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (K-12).

The EPI offers a seven-course program (21 credits) that can be completed in as few as two semesters. The program adheres to rigorous standards and includes field experience. Please note: the EPI program must be completed in its entirety for certification. Each course meets on Fridays (5-10pm) and Saturdays (8am-4pm) for three weekends of the month.

Program Components:

1. Coursework- 4 modules (all 21 credits must be completed)
2. Florida Teacher Certification Examination (FTCE) (all three sections: General Knowledge Test, Subject Area Examination, Professional Examination)
3. Electronic LiveText Portfolio of Florida Educator Accomplished Practices
4. Clinical experience (30 hours)
5. Support Workshops
6. Mentoring

Admissions Policy and Guidelines:

• Acceptable bachelor’s degree or higher in non-education major
• Full admission to Miami Dade College
• Completed EPI application and EPI Agreement
• Official college transcript where degree was conferred
• Valid Official Statement of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education
• Three letters of reference and telephone numbers for reference from current or former employer/ supervisor, professor, or colleague
• Background clearance
• Financial support and Advisement information are available

Obtaining a Statement of Eligibility from the Florida Department of Education:

• You can apply on line at http://www.fldoe.org, or
• By mail: Contact the Florida Department of Education, Bureau of Educator Certification by e-mail at: edcert@fldoe.org  to have an application mailed to you, or
• By phone: Call the FLDOE, Florida Alternative Certification Program at: 1-800-445-6739.
• Submit official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions.
• The cost is $75.00 per subject for certification.
  
  Applications may also be obtained from local school district offices.

Program Completion:
MDC SOE EPI Program will issue a certificate of completion (form CT 133) and MDC transcripts to the FLDOE only after all of the following requirements are satisfied:

• Valid Statement of Status of Eligibility from FLDOE Bureau of Educator Certification showing eligibility for certification
• Completion of each EPI course, with a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
• Completed, documented field experience(s) appropriate to their individual educational plan
• Live Text E-Portfolio indicating mastery of all required FEAPs for the declared age-level and subject area for certification
• Passing scores on the FTCE (all three sections) with documentation sent to the EPI office
• Satisfaction of all financial and programmatic obligations to MDC

Program of Study:

Module 1:	EPI0001 Classroom Management EPI0002 Instructional Strategies EPI0003 Technology EPI0004 Teaching and Learning
Module 2:	EPI0010 Research Based Practices in Reading
Module 3:	EPI0020 Professional Foundations EPI0940 Clinical Experience for Professional Foundations
Module 4:	EPI0030 Diversity EPI0945 Clinical Experience for Diversity

The Center for Professional Development offers courses for curent teachers for certification and recertification.  These courses are offered in weekend and accelerated models.  In order to register, you must contact an SOE advisor.  Note: all courses in the baccalaureate degree programs are also available to inservice teachers for recertification.

NEW Teacher Certification and Recertification courses

• EDG4045 Civic Engagement through Service Learning
• EDS4940 Clinical Supervision Practicum
• EEX2770 The Challenged Citizen in the Workplace
• EEX4614 Conflict Resolution
• ISC4535C Research in the Sciences
• EDG2704 Teaching the Holocaust

ENDORSEMENTS:

The School of Education offers four endorsements to current teachers who wish to enhance their knowledge of expertise and expand their career opportunities.  Many of these endorsements are offered in the summer in a condensed version (one week per course).  All of these courses are accepted by the Florida Department of Education for recertification.

Endorsements

• Autism Endorsement (12 credits)
• EEX4094 Nature and Needs of Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders*
• EEX4760 Assistive Technology and Communication Systems for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders*
• EEX4613 Behavior Supports for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders*
• EEX4293 Assessment and Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders*
  *6 hours of clinical experience required 

• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) (15 credits)**
• TSL3241 Applied Linguistics
• TSL3526C Cultural Dimensions of ESOL***
• TSL4140C TESOL Curriculum & Materials***
• TSL4340C TESOL Methods***
• TSL4441C TESOL Testing and Evaluation***
  **meets all requirements of the Florida Consent Decree
  ***15 hours of clinical experience required

• Gifted Endorsement (15 credits)
• EGI4051 Nature and Needs of Gifted Students
• EGI4230 Curriculum and Educational Strategies for the Gifted
• EGI4246 Educating special Populations of Gifted Students
• EGI4305 Theory and Development of Creativity
• EGI4405 Guidance and Counseling of Gifted Students

• Prekindergarten Disabilities (15 credits)
• EDF3115 Child Development in Inclusive Settings
• EEC22711 Working with Children with Special Needs and their Families
• EEC2401 Family Interaction and Cultural Continuity
• EEC2601 Observation and Assessment
• EEX3603 Positive Behavior Supports in Inclusive Settings