(a) An initial license is valid for 4 years unless revoked. The Department shall issue an initial license under this section if an applicant demonstrates that the applicant received a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited 4-year college or university, has achieved a passing score on a content-readiness exam,and has either completed a student teaching program or meets any 1 of the following alternatives to student teaching:

(1) One year of teaching experience consisting of a minimum of 91 days of long-term teaching experience in 1 assignment, except that this provision shall not apply to applicants seeking an initial license to teach in a core content area. For the purposes of this section, “core content area” means any subject area tested by the state assessment system, including mathematics, English/language arts, science, and social studies. Experience in an alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program or the Special Institute for Teacher Licensure and Certification Program may not be used to meet this alternative; or

(2) The applicant is enrolled and participating in the alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program pursuant to subchapter VI of this title; or

(3) The applicant is enrolled and participating in the Special Institute for Teacher Licensure and Certification pursuant to subchapter V of this chapter; or

(4) The applicant is applying for an initial license and certification as a specialist and completes a supervised practical experience in the specialty area equivalent to student teaching as recognized pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter. Equivalent practical experience in the specialty area may include but is not limited to a supervised internship, a practicum, or clinical experience. For purposes of this section, “specialist” means an educator other than a teacher recognized pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter who is eligible to apply for both licensure and certification from the State to engage in other related professional support services.

(b) [Repealed.]

(c) If an initial licensee intends to apply for a continuing license, the licensee shall, prior to the expiration of that initial license, obtain a passing score on an approved performance assessment within the first 2 years of the initial license, and complete professional development and mentoring activities required by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter.

(d) Pursuant to rules and regulations promulgated and adopted pursuant to this chapter, the Department may issue an initial license to an applicant with at least 1 year of teaching experience but less than 4 years of teaching experience who is licensed as an educator in another jurisdiction or to an applicant who previously held a valid Delaware certificate that has since expired. An applicant issued an initial license under this subsection must complete all requirements enumerated in subsection (c) of this section, except for obtaining a passing score on an approved performance assessment.

(e) An initial license may not be renewed. It may, however, be extended pursuant to § 1216 of this title.

(f) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a), (c), and (d) of this section, an initial license may be issued for a period of up to 6 years for applicants in a vocational trade and industry (“skilled and technical sciences” or “STS”) area to complete specified college-level course work required for certification. Such applicants must obtain a passing score on an approved performance assessment prior to the expiration of initial licensure.

(g) [Repealed.]

(h) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (a) and (c) of this section, the Department shall issue an initial license to an applicant who meets the criteria for meritorious new teacher candidate designation adopted pursuant to § 1203 of this title. The applicant issued an initial license under this subsection and who intends to apply for a continuing license must complete all requirements of subsection (c) of this section, except for obtaining a passing score on an approved performance assessment.

(i) On or before January 20, 2022, the Department of Education shall provide a report to the General Assembly on the impact of the established requirement of the performance assessment under this subchapter. Such report shall be conducted by an independent entity. The report shall include, but not be limited to, a comparative analysis of student performance of students taught by novice educators having passed a performance assessment and students taught by novice educators who have not successfully passed a performance assessment. The report shall include overall educator retention rates, including information on educators who remain in original placement schools and educators who remain in the teaching profession. The report shall be inclusive of the academic years July 1, 2016, through June 30, 2021.

(j) Rules and regulations promulgated and adopted under this chapter must provide for the acceptance of a passing score on a state-created and approved performance assessment from another state or jurisdiction to meet the performance assessment requirement.

72 Del. Laws, c. 294, § 2; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 20, § 1; 73 Del. Laws, c. 84, § 2; 74 Del. Laws, c. 14, §§ 1-3; 75 Del. Laws, c. 77, §§ 4, 5; 79 Del. Laws, c. 42, § 2; 79 Del. Laws, c. 288, § 1; 80 Del. Laws, c. 297, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 43, § 1; 81 Del. Laws, c. 425, § 8.