If you are looking for employment in the education system in the state of Florida, then it is crucial that you get certified by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE). Getting a FLDOE certification will significantly increase your chances of getting hired in your desired position and, moreover, it will prove to employers that you are actively invested in your professional development.
We are going to tell you everything you need to know about the two FLDOE certificates you can apply for so that you know exactly what the process entails. Take a look and find out if you are ready to advance in your profession!
Top Reasons Why the FLDOE Certification Is Worth Your Time
- You will stand higher chances of employment in the educational system as the FLDOE certificates represent the standard of proficiency in this field.
- Higher-end positions might even require you to be certified by the FLDOE, so taking the exam will actively expand your array of employment opportunities.
- The FLDOE certification will be a great asset to your resume not only because it demonstrates your outstanding skills, but because it is proof of your involvement in your professional advancement.
- A certificate from the FLDOE can also bring you a higher income because you will be a higher qualified employee.
- You will earn some innovative skills that will enable you to perform even better in your chosen career.
What FLDOE Certificates Can I Apply For?
The aim of the FLDOE certification process is to increase the number of highly trained educators and administrators in the state of Florida. There are two main FLDOE certification programs that you can apply for:
Florida Teacher Certification Examinations (FTCE)
This is the initial certification that educators can acquire in the state of Florida. It is aimed at those looking for employment in the K-12 system. The FTCE certification process entails three exams:
1. One of the 42 Subject Area Examinations
All candidates are allowed to choose one subject area according to their specific area of expertise. The structure of the exam differs among the 42 subjects but it is meant to assess the core competences of the candidates. These are the main subject areas covered by the FTCE exam:
- Grades 5-9: General Sciences, Mathematics, English and Social Science.
- Grades 6-12: Agriculture, Business Education, Biology, Chemistry, English, Drama, Earth/Space Science, Marketing, Mathematics, Journalism, Technology Education, Social Sciences, Physics, and Speech.
- Grades K-12: Computer Science, Exceptional Student Education, Art, French, German, Educational Media Specialist (Including Prekindergarten), Health, Humanities, Hearing Impaired, Latin, Physical Education, Music, Reading, Spanish, Visually Impaired, Speech-Language Impaired and School Psychologist (Including Prekindergarten).
- Other: ESOL, Elementary Education (Grades K-6), Prekindergarten/ Primary (Grades Prekindergarten-3), Preschool Education (Ages 0-4) and Family and Consumer Science.
If you want to get detailed information about the curricula for your chosen subject area, as well as the specific structure of the exam, go to the FLDOE official website. You can also download the current version of the “Competency and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida” list. This will be of great use for your preparation process, as it will enable you to make an accurate self-assessment of your skills.
The General Knowledge Test includes four subtests that are meant to assess the educator’s competence in the key areas of teaching.
- Subtest 1 – Essay
Candidates will be able to choose between two topics and they will have 50 minutes to prepare, write and edit their essay. The main skills assessed in this subtest are the candidate’s ability to organize ideas and details effectively, to demonstrate a mature command of the English language, to maintain a consistent point of view and to employ the conventions of standard American English.
- Subtest 2 – English Language Skills
This subtest is 40 minutes long and includes 40 multiple choice questions. The main areas covered in the English Language test are as follows: Conceptual and Organizational Skills, Word Choice Skills, Sentence Structure Skills, and Grammar, Spelling, Capitalization and Punctuation Skills.
- Subtest 3- Mathematics
This is the longest of the four subtests as it is 80 minutes to complete the 45 multiple choice questions. The main areas covered by the Mathematics subtest are Geometry and Spatial Sense, Algebraic Thinking, Data Analysis and Probability, Measurement and Number Sense, Concepts and Operations. Candidates will be provided with a 4-function calculator, as well as a mathematical reference sheet.
- Subtest 4- Reading
The Reading subtest will assess the candidate’s literal comprehension and inferential comprehension skills. The test includes 40 multiple choice questions and the candidate is allotted 40 minutes to complete them.
3. The Professional Education Test
This part of the FTCE exam is focused on the candidate’s competencies in pedagogy and professional practices. According to the current version of the “Competency and Skills Required for Teacher Certification in Florida” list, these are the main areas covered by the Professional Education Test:
- Knowledge of Instructional Design and Planning
- Knowledge of the appropriate student-centered learning environments
- Knowledge of proper instructional delivery and facilitation by making use of a comprehensive understanding of subject matter
- Knowledge of the various types of assessment strategies used to determine the impact on student learning
- Knowledge of relevant continuous professional improvement
- Knowledge of the Principles of Professional Conduct and the Code of Ethics of the Education Profession in Florida
- Knowledge of the main research-based practices that are appropriate when teaching English Language Learners (EELs)
- Knowledge of the most effective literacy strategies that can be employed with the aim of impacting student learning
The Professional Education Test includes a total of 120 multiple-choice questions that the candidates will have to answer in 150 minutes. The questions can either have direct answers or they might require the candidate to complete the task sentences. Some questions will require the candidate to analyze a given scenario and choose the best possible solution to a presented problem in regards to it.
Florida Educational Leadership Examination (FELE)
The FELE certificate is aimed for those looking for employment as educational administrators in the K-12 system. Similar to the FTCE, the examination process also entails three sections:
1. The Florida Educational Leadership Examination
This complex exam includes three subtests. Take a look at the main areas covered in each of them:
- Subtest 1 – this section of the FELE exam is centered on Leadership for Student Learning. These are the main focus points: Students Learning as a Priority, Student Learning Results, Learning Environment and Instructional Plan Implementation.
- Subtest 2– this section of the FELE exam is centered on Organizational Development and includes the following focus points: Leadership Development, Faculty Development and Professional and Ethical Behavior.
- Subtest 3 – this section of the FELE exam is centered on Systems Leadership and includes the following focus points: Decision Making, Communication, and School Management.
The General Knowledge Test is required for both the FTCE and for the FELE. The FELE candidates who already have an FTCE certificate may bring proof that they have successfully passed the General Knowledge Test and they will not be required to take it again. The contents and format of this test have been described above in the FTCE section.
3. The Professional Education Test
The Professional Education Test is also required for both FLDOE teacher certifications, as a solid pedagogy expertise is fundamental to education administrators. FELE candidates can bring proof that they have passed this exam previously and they will not be required to retake it. Please note that the contents and format of this test have been described in the FTCE section above.
How Much Does It Cost?
This is the current list of registration fees required for the FDCOE certification examination:
- Each of the Subject Area Examinations costs $200 for the first attempt and between $150 and $220 for each retake.
- The General Knowledge Test costs $130 for the first attempt and $150 for each retake.
- The Professional Educational Test costs $150 for the first attempt and $170 for each retake.
- The FELE Exam costs $215 for the first attempt and then $150 for retaking one Subtest and $225 for retaking any combination of subtests.
All candidates who pass the three steps of the examination process are awarded the FTCE and respectively the FELE certificate. They are also provided with an individual entry in the FLDOE Certification Database.
The certification status of any educator in the state of Florida can be checked on the official FLDOE Certification Look Up page by entering the full name of the teach and the district he/she operates in.
We hope we have managed to provide you with helpful information about the FLDOE certification process. If you want to read about the exams in detail, you can access the official website of the Florida Department of Education where you will find everything you need to know.
