Identification of high-demand teacher needs areas

The term “high-demand teacher needs area” means high-need content areas and high-priority location areas identified by the State Board of Education. The State Board of Education shall adopt rules pursuant to ss. 120.536(1) and 120.54 necessary to annually identify high-demand teacher needs areas. The state board must consider current and emerging educational requirements and workforce demands in determining high-demand teacher needs areas. School grade levels may also be designated critical teacher shortage areas. Individual district school boards may identify and submit other high-demand teacher needs areas. Such submissions must be aligned to current and emerging educational requirements and workforce demands in order to be approved by the State Board of Education. High-priority location areas must be in high-density, low-economic urban schools; low-density, low-economic rural schools; and schools that earned a grade of “F” or three consecutive grades of “D” pursuant to s. 1008.34. The State Board of Education shall develop strategies to address high-demand teacher needs areas.