Adult Education Certification

A permit or current licensure and standard certification is required for public education employees teaching Adult Basic Education (ABE) programs and for teaching at the James H. Groves High School in Delaware.

Applicants who already hold a current Delaware teaching license and standard certification will not need a permit to teach adult education programs. Only applicants who do not hold current licensure and certification or who have an expired teaching license should apply for an adult education permit.

This Adult Education Certification page includes the following sections:

Applying for Delaware licensure and certification is a two-step process, in that you must hold both a License and at least one Certificate. The License authorizes you to work in a Delaware public/charter school, and the Certificate(s) identifies the area(s) in which you are authorized to teach.

License Overview

Delaware defines “License” as a credential that authorizes the holder to engage in the practice for which the license is issued. A Delaware educator holds only one license; however, the license type depends on experience as outlined below.

  • Initial License: If you are a brand new educator or have more than one year but less than four years of licensed teaching experience, you should apply for an Initial License.
  • Continuing License: If you have over four years of licensed teaching experience, you should apply for a Continuing License.
  • Advanced License: If you have received National Board for Professional Teaching Standards certification, you should apply for an Advanced License.

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Certificate Overview

A Delaware educator can hold multiple certificates to certify their education in a specific area of expertise. The certificate types are detailed below.

  • Standard Certificate: Delaware defines “Standard Certificate” as a credential issued to certify that an educator has the prescribed knowledge, skill or education to practice in a particular area to teach a particular subject, or to teach a category of students. Find your certification area by reviewing Delaware’s list of Standard Certificates. The Professional Standards Board promulgates the regulations governing certification.
  • Emergency Certificate: Delaware defines “Emergency Certificate” as a temporary credential issued to an educator who has obtained employment or an offer of employment with an employing authority and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License, but lacks the necessary skills and knowledge to immediately meet certification requirements in a specific content area.
  • Certificate of Eligibility: Delaware defines “Certificate of Eligibility” (COE) as a credential issued to an educator who is participating in a state-approved, appropriate, alternative route to licensure and certification program for teachers of students with disabilities and holds a valid Delaware Initial, Continuing, or Advanced License.

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Adult Education Permits

“Permit” is defined as a document issued by the Department that verifies an individual’s qualifications and training. Permits are issued by the Delaware Department of Education (DDOE) to verify an individual’s qualifications and training to serve in specialized roles.

Level I Permit means a teaching permit in adult education for three years. Qualifications are:

  • Bachelor’s degree
  • Term: 3 years; then the educator must apply for Level II Permit

Level II Permit means a teaching permit in adult education for five years. Qualifications are:

  • Must have 25 clock hours in Math or ELA while holding a Level I Permit
  • Not more than 1 unsatisfactory evaluation
  • Term: 5 years; renewable
  • To renew: 45 clock hours of PD in Math or ELA

Level III Permit means a permit required to be an adult education program administrator. Qualifications are:

  • Master’s degree with specifications
  • 3 years as an administrator, coordinator, or teacher in an adult education setting
  • One year may be as an administrator in an alternative education or non-traditional education setting as long as the program is regularly organized and supported by State or federal funds

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DEEDS Application Process Steps

  1. Log in to your DEEDS account via the EdAccess login page.
  2. Apply for the appropriate License and Certificate(s) for the content area you want to teach.
  3. Have a credit card (not a debit card) at hand. There will be a one-time $100 application fee, which is reimbursable upon employment in a Delaware public or charter school when the educator is fully licensed and certified.
  4. Request to send all official documentation:
    • All official transcripts.
    • Test Scores (Praxis, ACTFL.) – if applicable (not required for reciprocity applications)
    • Proof of student teaching, if not on your transcript.
    • Copy of your out-of-state credential, if applicable.
    • Verification of Experience (Form E or Form E/NT), if applicable (for out-of-state reciprocity applicants)
  5. Upon receipt of all documentation, DDOE Staff will review the application and documentation.
  6. DDOE staff will update your application status within DEEDS. You can monitor the application progress by clicking the “View My Applications” button on the DEEDS Educator Dashboard. Each application is shown with progress banners to indicate where the application is within the review and approval process.
  7. If additional documentation is needed to process your application, then a red “Respond to Deficiency” button will appear on the DEEDS Educator Dashboard. You will need to respond to the deficiency from within the DEEDS application, providing whatever additional information is requested in order for the application process to continue. This is the communication between DDOE and the applicant during the application process.
  8. You may apply for employment while your License and Certificate(s) are pending. Districts and charter schools will have access to your application information via DEEDS.

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Adult Basic Education (ABE) Permit

Adult Basic Education (ABE) – basic education in reading, math, writing, or English language acquisition. This program includes GED® preparation.

Applicants who already hold a current Delaware teaching license and standard certification will not need a permit to teach adult education programs. Only applicants who do not hold current licensure and certification or who have an expired teaching license should apply for an adult education permit. When submitting application documents, please follow the documentation guidelines for submission.

To become a public education employee working in an Adult Basic Education (ABE) program, review and follow these guidelines for the Level I Permit and Level II Permit.

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Level I Permit (valid 3 years)

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Provide passing scores for Praxis I (general knowledge exam of Math, Reading, and Writing); Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the Praxis tests. Please use Delaware Department of Education’s Reporting Code of R7065.
  • Must submit 25 clock hours in the Math or English/Language Arts content areas during term of Level I Permit.
  • Must not receive more than 1 unsatisfactory summative evaluation during the term of the Level I permit.

Adult Basic Education (ABE) Level II Permit (valid 5 years)

  • Must have provided 25 clock hours in the Math or English/Language Arts content areas while holding a Level I Permit for 3 years and then apply for the Level II Permit.
  • Must complete 45 clock hours of approved professional development in the Math or English/Language Arts content areas every 5 years to maintain and renew the Level II Permit.
  • Must not receive more than 1 unsatisfactory summative evaluation during the term of the Level II permit.

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James H. Groves High School Permit

James H. Groves High School – a high school diploma program for adults.

Applicants who already hold a current Delaware teaching license and standard certification will not need a permit to teach adult education programs. Only applicants who do not hold current licensure and certification or who have an expired teaching license should apply for an adult education permit. When submitting application documents, please follow the documentation guidelines for submission.

To become a public education employee working in the James H. Groves High School, review and follow these guidelines for the Level I Permit and the Level II Permit.

James H. Groves High School Level I Permit (valid 3 years)

  • Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Provide passing scores for Praxis I (general knowledge exam of Math, Reading, and Writing); Educational Testing Service (ETS) administers the Praxis tests. Please use Delaware Department of Education’s Reporting Code of R7065.
  • Must submit 25 clock hours in the content area in which instruction is being given during term of Level I Permit;
  • Must not receive more than 1 unsatisfactory summative evaluation during the term of the Level I permit.

James H. Groves High School Level II Permit (valid 5 years)

  • Must have provided 25 clock hours in the content area in which instruction was being given while holding a Level I Permit for 3 years and then apply for the Level II Permit.
  • Must complete 45 clock hours of approved professional development in the content area in which instruction is being given every 5 years to maintain and renew the Level II Permit.
  • Must not receive more than 1 unsatisfactory summative evaluation during the term of the Level II permit.

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James H. Groves High School Administrator Permit

James H. Groves High School – a high school diploma program for adults.

Applicants wanting to become an Administrator working in the James H. Grove High School who already hold a current Delaware teaching license and have a Standard Certificate in one of these three certification areas will not need a permit:

  1. School Principal and Assistant School Principal
  2. Certified Central Office Personnel
  3. Superintendent or Assistant Superintendent.

These applicants already have the credentials to work as an Administrator at the James H. Grove High School.

Only applicants who do not hold current licensure with these three standard certification areas or who have an expired teaching license should apply for this Administrator Level III permit. When submitting application documents, please follow the documentation guidelines for submission.

To become an Administrator working in the James H. Groves High School, review and follow these guidelines for the Level III Permit.

James H. Groves High School Level III Permit

  • Master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
  • Provide proof of 3 years of experience (Form E – Verification of Teaching Experience) in an adult education setting working as an administrator, coordinator or teacher (and 1 of these 3 years may be as an administrator in an alternative education or non-traditional educational setting as long as the program is regulatory organized and supported by state or federal funds).
  • Completed 18 semester hours directly related to Adult Education and Program Administration within the Master’s degree or in addition to the Master’s degree.

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Documentation Guidelines for Submission

All documents, with the exception of copies of out-of-state and/or national certificates (if applicable), must be official, meaning that they must be sent directly from the appropriate third party (e.g., the college/university, testing organization, former employer, independent credentialing agency) to the Department electronically to deeds@doe.k12.de.us, or forwarded unopened, by mail to the Department by the candidate. Applicants submitting test scores should be sure to review the Testing Guidelines for test-specific submission procedures.

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Delaware Department of Education
Licensure and Certification
Collette Education Resource Center
35 Commerce Way, Suite 1
Dover, DE 19904

Feel free to contact us:
M-F 8:00 AM-4:30 PM
302-857-3388
Contact Us – Delaware Department of Education

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Last Modified on July 19, 2022