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Out of Field
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OUT-OF-FIELD TEACHERS
Due to a shortage of certified teachers in specific areas, some teachers are approved to teach in a subject area for which they are not certified. Florida Statute 1012.42 requires the district to publish a listing of teachers who are approved to teach out-of-field 30 days before the start of each semester.
View the current MCPS Out-of-field List.
OUT-OF-FIELD REQUIREMENTS
For a teacher to become in-field, Florida State Rule requires the teacher to pass the applicable subject area exam and add the subject to their certificate within one calendar year. A teacher may complete 6-semester hours of college credit in the out-of-field subject within one calendar year to continue teaching out-of-field the following year. If out of field for an endorsement, a teacher must complete 120 in-service credits in the applicable subject within one calendar year to continue teaching out-of-field the following year with the exception of ESOL.
If out of field for ESOL, a teacher must complete the first course within two years, and then one course each year thereafter until all ESOL five courses are completed and the endorsement is added.
Find test prep help and register for an exam here.
A teacher is not in-field until the subject or endorsement is added to their certificate. Click here to add the subject/endorsement to your certificate.
Endorsement Courses
- ESOL courses may be taken for free through Canvas. Reading courses may be taken for free through Canvas or the University of Florida (UF).
- Gifted courses may be taken for free through FDLRS-BEESS Portal. The courses are only offered once per year.
- Autism Spectrum Disorder courses may be taken for free through FDLRS-BEESS Portal. The courses are only offered once per year.
Exam Reimbursement
Contingent upon budget approval each year, Title I & II dollars may be allocated to assist current out-of-field personnel who pass a subject area exam to become in field. While funds are available a teacher may be reimbursed for one test fee of $150 for the purpose of becoming infield in the current assignment during the instructional contract period.
The exam result must produce a passing score in the same year reimbursement is requested. Due to the nature of these earmarked grant funds, the deadline for submission and all supporting documentation is June 1st of each year.
DISTRICT INFIELD DESIGNATION OPTION
The Infield Designation policy provides out-of-field teachers with the options below for demonstrating their subject knowledge. Any out-of-field teacher who believes he/she qualifies, should fill out the In-Field Designation Request form and send it to the ESD Certification office to request an evaluation.
- A minor appearing on the official college transcript in the subject area assignment.
- Official documentation of passing the subject area exam for the out-of-field assignment.
- Fifteen semester hours of college credit in the subject area.
- Within two specialization courses of being certified in the out-of-field assignment. Subject specialization requirements can be found here.
- Acceptance of a House Plan approved prior to 7/1/2017 from any public school district.
- Qualification for a Marion County Certification Evaluation (MACE). This option considers 3 college courses in the subject area and if the educator has taught the subject within the last 5 years.
- Acceptance of in-field designations from other Florida counties and proof of successful evaluation from their last year of employment.
LITERACY MICRO-CREDENTIALS
You cannot teach intensive reading to Tier 3 reading students, you can complete the applicable Micro-Credential which will allow you to provide reading intervention under the supervision of a Reading Endorsed or Reading Certified teacher.
View the Micro-Credential course options here.