Florida - Thursday August 11, 2022: According to the Florida Education Association there are 60,000 more students in Florida’s public-school classrooms this school year, but there are about 8,000 teacher vacancies, as well as 6,000 staff vacancies.
In a bid to help make up for teacher shortages this school year the Florida Department of Education plans to launch a new program to encourage qualified veterans to apply for temporary teaching certificates.
Governor DeSantis made the announcement Thursday saying - “If you served in the military for at least four years, were honorably discharged, have taken sixty college credits, and passed a subject area exam, we want you to be able to teach Florida students.”
The State Board of Education meets next Wednesday, August 17th, to formally implement the program which would allow veterans to receive a five-year temporary education certificate while they finish their bachelor’s degree, provided they meet certain criteria. Their expected approval would implement SB 896, which Governor DeSantis signed earlier this year.
Veterans who successfully obtain their 5-year temporary teaching certificate, and who pass a background check, will be assigned a mentor teacher for a minimum of two years to support their classroom teaching endeavors. They must also earn their bachelor’s degree during the 5-year period to be eligible for a full professional certificate
“Our veterans have a wealth of knowledge and experience they can bring to bear in the classroom," said the Governor. "And with this innovative approach they will be able to do so for five-years with a temporary certification as they work towards their degree.”
The Florida Department of Education has created a web page where interested veterans can learn more and sign up for a teaching certificate at: www.fldoe.org/veterans.
Read the Governor's news release IN FULL below:
Governor Ron DeSantis Encourages Veterans to Apply for Temporary Teaching Certificates
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the launch of a new webpage to help recruit qualified military veterans to join schools across the state. On August 17th, the State Board of Education will consider a rule to formally implement a program for veterans to receive a five-year temporary education certificate while they finish their bachelor’s degree, provided they meet certain criteria. This rule implements SB 896, which Governor DeSantis signed earlier this year after it received unanimous bipartisan support throughout the 2022 Session. To learn more about this program, visit www.fldoe.org/veterans. To watch a video of Governor DeSantis discussing the program, click here.
“Florida is the most veteran- and military-friendly state in the nation,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “We also know that our veterans have talents and skills that they can offer our students. This new opportunity expands Florida’s existing programs that help our veterans take their talents to our schools, and it will help Florida remain a national leader in education.”
“With the skills and experience that our 1.7 million veterans bring to Florida’s workforce, this new pathway to teaching will positively impact Florida’s students,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Veterans and servicemembers can now work toward their full professional certificate while imparting their unique knowledge and valuable experience in the classroom.”
Military Veterans Certification Pathway
The State Board of Education will consider a rule to allow military veterans to obtain a 5-year temporary teaching certificate without a bachelor’s degree, providing the following criteria are met:
• Minimum of 48 months of military service with an honorable/medical discharge;
• Minimum of 60 college credits with a 2.5 grade point average;
• Passing score on a Florida subject area examination;
• Employment in a Florida school district, including charter schools; and
• Cleared background screening.
Per SB 896 (2022), which unanimously passed the Florida House and Senate, veterans who successfully obtain their 5-year temporary teaching certificate will be assigned a mentor teacher for a minimum of two years to support their classroom teaching endeavors. They must also earn their bachelor’s degree during the 5-year period to be eligible for a full professional certificate. Veterans utilizing this temporary certificate may not teach subject areas that require a master’s degree.
The temporary certificate cannot be renewed once it expires, nor does it apply to military spouses or families.
For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.