Teacher Competencies: CSF Comprehensive Program: Recommended Assessments for the Developing Teacher (DT): Professional Education Competency Demonstration
Competency may be demonstrated by completing a minimum of one item under each competency number.
Competency #1
The ability to write in a logical and understandable style with appropriate grammar and sentence structure.
- DT successfully passed the Language Arts section of the General Knowledge Test or the alternate procedures as outlined in the Florida State Board of Education Administrative Rules: 6A-4.0021 (2), subsection 10 (d) and (e).
Competency #2
The ability to read, comprehend, and interpret professional and other written material.
- DT successfully passed the Professional Education Test.
- DT discussed the contents of a professional journal article with a support team member.
- DT wrote a review of a professional journal article.
Competency #3
The ability to comprehend and work with fundamental mathematical concepts.
- DT successfully passed the Mathematics section of the General Knowledge Test or the alternate procedures as outlined in the Florida State Board of Education Administrative Rules: 6A-4.0021 (2), subsection 10 (d) and (e).
Competency #4
The ability to recognize signs of severe emotional distress in student and to apply techniques of crisis intervention with an emphasis on suicide prevention and positive emotional development.
- DT attended an in-service on recognizing signs of severe emotional distress in students.
- DT attended an in-service on suicide prevention.
- DT became familiar with crisis intervention materials available at the school and/or central office under the guidance of the student services staff.
- DT read, summarized, and discussed an article about suicide with a support team member.
- DT met with guidance counselor or other qualified professionals and discussed signs of severe emotional distress in students and ways to build positive self-concept.
Competency #5
The ability to recognize signs of alcohol and drug abuse in students and to apply counseling techniques with emphasis on intervention and prevention of future abuse.
- DT attended an in-service on recognizing signs of alcohol and drug abuse in students.
- DT read, summarized, and discussed an article about alcohol and drug abuse with a support team member.
- DT met with guidance counselor or other qualified professionals to discuss signs of alcohol and drug abuse in students.
Competency #6
The ability to recognize the physical and behavioral indications of child abuse and neglect, to know rights and responsibilities regarding reporting, to know how to care for a child’s needs after a report is made, and to know recognition, intervention, and prevention strategies pertaining to child abuse and neglect which can be related to children in a classroom setting in a non-threatening, positive manner.
- DT attended an in-service on child abuse and the laws pertaining to reporting it.
- DT met with guidance counselor and/or other qualified professionals and discussed signs of child abuse and neglect, reviewed prevention strategies and researched the State of Florida requirements for reporting abuse.
Competency #7
The ability to comprehend patterns of physical, social, and academic development in students, including exceptional students in the regular classroom, and to counsel these same students concerning their need to these areas.
- DT examined student records and developed assignments that met the individual needs based on information obtained in these records.
- DT explained to the support staff the community and school resources and alternative programs available for special needs students.
- DT explained to the support team the main theories on stages of human development and how these related to appropriate classroom activities and materials.
- DT involved students in planning appropriate learning activities based on student interests and abilities, and provided direction concerning their needs and future careers.
- DT interpreted and explained results of standardized achievement tests to support staff.
- DT developed individualized activities for special needs students in consultation with special education teachers.
- DT conferred with the guidance counselor and/or qualified professional staff member regarding a student who was being referred for an exceptional education program.
Competency #8
The ability to recognize and be aware of the instructional needs of exceptional students.
- DT demonstrated knowledge of category 1.5 on Domain 1.0.
- DT implemented lesson plans or Individual Education Plan’s (IEP) indicating entry level skills based on diagnostic tests, teacher observation, or student’s records.
- DT developed a classroom assessment to identify the levels of specific knowledge or skills.
Competency #9
The ability to comprehend patterns of normal development in students and employ appropriate intervention strategies for disorders of development.
- DT demonstrated knowledge of physical, social, and academic development patterns to meet the instructional needs of individual students in the classroom and to advise students about these needs.
- DT selected, adapted, and/or developed instructional materials for a given set of instructional objectives and student learning needs.
- DT selected, developed, and sequenced learning activities that are appropriate to instructional objectives and student needs.
Competency #10
The ability to identify and comprehend the codes and standards of professional ethics, performance and practices as adopted pursuant to s.231.546 (2)(b), the grounds for disciplinary action provided by s.231.28, and the procedures for resolving complaints filed pursuant to this chapter, including appeal processes.
- DT reviewed and discussed The Code of Ethics and the Principles of Professional Conduct of the Education Profession in Florida, and s.231.28, Florida statues, discussed reasons for revocation of certificates, and/or demonstrated how the Principles apply or effect employment.
- DT attended a seminar on Professional Ethics in the State of Florida and employment practices of the association and/or school.
Competency #11
The ability to recognize and demonstrate awareness of the educational needs of students who have limited proficiency in English and employ appropriate teaching strategies.
- DT reviewed the requirements of the consent decree and how these requirements are implemented through an ESOL Plan.
- DT reviewed the requirements for ESOL as an endorsement on one’s professional certificate.
- DT attended a seminar on strategies for the needs of students who have limited proficiency in English.
Competency #12
The ability to use appropriate technology in teaching and learning processes.
- DT demonstrated the integration of appropriate technology to achieve instructional and curricular goals and objectives.
- DT attended a seminar on the appropriate technology for the teaching/learning processes.
Competency #13
The ability to use assessment strategies to assist the continuous development of the learner.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument for Domain 6.0 in categories 6.1, 6.2, and/or 6.3.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument for Domain 3.0 in categories 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, and 3.6.
- DT developed alternative strategies for assessing continuous development of the learner.
- DT attended a seminar on alternative assessment strategies.
Competency #14
The ability to use teaching and learning strategies that include considering each student’s culture, learning styles, special needs, and socioeconomic background.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the summative instrument (SSOI) for #6 and #7.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument for Domain 3.0 in categories 3.4, 3.5.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument for Domain 5.9 in categories 5.5.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument for Domain 6.0 in categories 6.1 and /or 6.3.
- DT developed activities to identify the contributions of various ethnic, cultural, and socio-economic groups.
- DT attended a seminar on developing a positive support structure for students.
- DT provided learning activities that enabled each student to experience success.
Competency #15
The ability to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the subject matter that is aligned with the subject knowledge and skills specified in the student performance standards approved by the state board.
- DT successfully passed the Subject Area Test.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the summative instrument (SSOI) for #11, #12, #13, and #14.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument for Domain 4.0 in categories 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, and/or 4.4.
Competency #16
The ability to formulate a standard for student behavior in the classroom.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument (SSOI) for Domain 2.0 in category 2.1.
- DT posted classroom rules and consequences.
- DT developed a written classroom management plan.
Competency #17
The ability to deal with misconduct, interruptions, intrusions, and digressions in ways that promote instructional momentum.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the summative instrument for #20, #21.
- DT demonstrated sufficient tallies on the left side of the formative instrument (SSOI) for Domain 2.0 in categories 2.2-2.4, 2.6-2.7, and/or 2.8.

