(a) Subject to § 1217 of this title and notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, an individual who is a potential participant must be issued an initial license in an ARTC program and applicable certification, provided the individual meets all of the following criteria:
(1) Holds a bachelor’s degree from a regionally-accredited college or university.
(2) Has at least 24 credits from a regionally-accredited college or university aligned to the content area in which the individual is seeking certification, or the equivalent in professional development approved by the Department, appropriate to the instructional field, or passing scores on an approved content-readiness exam prior to entering the ARTC program.
(3) Obtains an acceptable health clearance under Department regulations, and an acceptable criminal background check clearance.
(4) Obtains and accepts an offer of employment in a full-time position that requires instructional certification.
(b) While in an ARTC program, a participant must meet both of the following criteria:
(1) Maintain satisfactory progress towards the completion of all ARTC program requirements.
(2) Be continuously employed with a district or charter school.
(c) An ARTC program participant must attain all of the following, prior to the expiration of the initial license to obtain standard certification within the first 2 years of teaching:
(1) Successful completion of all ARTC program requirements.
(2) Two summative evaluations using a state-approved system with not more than 1 summative evaluation being unsatisfactory.
(3) Passing scores on approved content readiness exams pursuant to the certification requirements.
(4) Passing scores on an approved performance assessment.
(d) The Department may grant additional time to complete the requirements of subsection (b) of this section, in consultation with the ARTC program, to an ARTC program participant based on exigent circumstances to complete any remaining formal instruction or equivalent professional development. The total extension of time may not exceed 1 year and a participant may be granted only 1 extension.
(e) The Department shall promulgate rules and regulations to implement this section.
70 Del. Laws, c. 459, § 1; 72 Del. Laws, c. 294, §§ 16, 17; 81 Del. Laws, c. 202, § 11; 81 Del. Laws, c. 282, § 4.