(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 paragraph (a)(1) does 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.
(2) The applicant is enrolled and participating in the alternative routes for teacher licensure and certification program under subchapter VI of Chapter 12 of this title.
(3) The applicant is enrolled and participating in the Special Institute for Teacher Licensure and Certification under subchapter V of Chapter 12 of this title.
(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 by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted under this chapter. Equivalent practical experience in the specialty area may include a supervised internship, a practicum, or clinical experience. For purposes of this section, “specialist” means an educator other than a teacher recognized by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted under 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(b) [Repealed.]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) (1) If an initial licensee intends to apply for a continuing license, the licensee shall, before the expiration of that initial license, complete professional development and mentoring activities required by rules and regulations promulgated and adopted under this chapter. Such professional development and mentoring activities must include a focus on the acquisition of pedagogical knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge to meet the needs of the educator's students.
(2) The Department shall create a committee of stakeholders, including teachers, principals, local education agency administrators, representatives of institutions of higher education, representatives of the Delaware State Education Association (DSEA), representatives of the Delaware Association of School Administrators (DASA), and national experts, to gather input and make recommendations on a revised Comprehensive Induction Program that focuses on reinforcing all of the following:
a. Pedagogical skills.
b. Content knowledge.
c. Cultural responsiveness.
d. Data-driven instruction.
(d) Under the rules and regulations promulgated and adopted under this chapter, the Department may issue an initial license to an applicant with less than 4 years of experience as an educator who is licensed as an educator in another jurisdiction or to an applicant who previously held a valid Delaware license that has since expired. An applicant issued an initial license under this subsection must complete all requirements under subsection (c) of this section. For purposes of this subsection, “educator” means a person licensed in another jurisdiction to engage in the practice of instruction, administration, or other related professional support services in public schools or a person who was an educator as defined in § 1202 of this title and previously held a valid Delaware license that has since expired.
(e) An initial license must not be renewed. It may, however, be extended under § 1216 of this title.
(f) Notwithstanding 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 coursework required for certification.
(g) [Repealed.]
(h) Notwithstanding 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 under § 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.
(i), (j) [Repealed.]
(k) The Standards Board shall promulgate regulations necessary to implement this section.