No. 32145 (New Rule): R277-527. International Guest Teachers

DAR File No.: 32145
Filed: 11/14/2008, 03:46
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Because of an increasing number of visiting guest teachers from around the world being hired by Utah school districts and charter schools, it has become necessary that more specific regulation is necessary. This new rule provides procedures and criteria for visiting guest teachers.

Summary of the rule or change:

The new rule provides definitions, Utah State Board of Education/Utah State Office of Education responsibilities, international guest teacher requirements, and other provisions as necessary.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsections 53A-1-401(3) and 53A-1-402(1)(a)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. Utah State Office of Education staff will continue to work with guest teachers on licensing as before this rule.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. International guest teachers received mentoring and support from school districts and charter schools prior to this rule and will continue to do so.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses AND persons other than business. This rule and program are public education specific.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons because of this rule. International guest teachers have paid costs associated with educator licensing in Utah and the rule does not create any additional costs.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses. Patti Harrington, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

12/31/2008

This rule may become effective on:

01/07/2009

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-527. International Guest Teachers.

R277-527-1. Definitions.

A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

B. "International guest teacher (guest teacher)" means a foreign educator who has earned a public teaching credential or license in a foreign country and who is currently legally residing in the United States and the state of Utah with the specific purpose to teach in Utah public schools. For this definition to apply, the international guest teacher shall be a resident of a foreign country that has a Memorandum of Understanding with the Board.

C. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

 

R277-527-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Section 53A-1-401(3) which permits the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities, and Section 53A-1-402(1)(a) which directs the Board to establish rules and minimum standards for the qualification and licensing of educators and ancillary personnel who provide direct student services.

B. The purpose of this rule is to establish procedures for qualified international guest teachers who meet the definition of R277-527-1B to be effectively hired and placed by Utah school districts/charter schools with assistance and direction from the USOE to encourage cultural exchange and foreign language development among Utah public school students.

 

R277-527-3. Utah State Board of Education/USOE Responsibilities.

A. The Board shall develop and State Superintendent shall sign a Memorandum of Understanding between the Board and the appropriate government agency of the country of origin of guest teachers, as identified by the Board.

B. The USOE shall work with guest teachers and their resident countries and the United States Department of State, if necessary, to secure appropriate visas or travel and work documents for guest teachers to legally teach in the public schools in Utah.

C. The USOE shall verify that guest teachers have appropriate licenses or credentials from the guest teachers' resident countries that satisfy the requirements of Utah law and any applicable federal requirements.

D. The USOE shall work with interested school districts and charter schools to make schools aware of guest teachers with specific credentials and language skills and to inform guest teachers about openings in specific grade levels and curriculum areas in various geographic locations in Utah.

E. The USOE shall require and review a guest teacher's criminal background checks required under Section 53A-4-410 and a criminal background clearance from the guest teacher's resident country or both prior to authorizing the guest teacher to work in Utah.

F. The Board may determine that it will seek guest teachers only from foreign countries that provide transportation or per diem expenses or both for USOE representatives to screen and interview potential guest teachers.

G. Following review and approval of a guest teacher's credentials and background, a guest teacher may receive an International Guest Teacher license equivalent to a Level 1 license.

 

R277-527-4. International Guest Teacher Requirements.

A. Guest teachers shall have a United States issued social security number prior to a school district/charter school processing any payment to the guest teacher.

B. Guest teachers shall cooperate with the USOE in required submission of information including criminal background check information, copies of credentials, copies of transcripts in the language and format designated by the USOE.

C. Guest teachers shall assume all responsibility for living and transportation expenses while participating in the International Guest Teachers Program.

D. Guest teachers shall be responsible for compliance with all state of Utah/Board and employing school district professional and ethical public school educator requirements.

E. Guest teachers who violate district employment or state or district professional practices may have their employment contract terminated consistent with at will employment provisions; the conduct of individual guest teachers may influence continued participation in the International Guest Teacher Program between the Board and a guest teacher's resident country.

 

R277-527-5. Other Provisions.

A. The opportunity for teachers from outside the United States to be licensed to teach in Utah schools with assistance provided by the USOE under this rule shall be available only to individuals from countries with which the Board has signed a Memorandum of Understanding.

B. A business or third party may not facilitate a Memorandum of Understanding between a foreign country and the Board, but may facilitate the hiring process at the request of the school district/charter school.

C. Internationally credentialed educators may seek appropriate licensing to teach in Utah schools. Those educators from countries that do not have Memoranda of Understanding with the Board shall be licensed under R277-502.

D. It is the responsibility of the prospective guest teacher or the guest teacher's home country to ensure that the guest teacher has the appropriate visa or authorization or both to live and teach in the United States for the agreed upon time period and teaching assignment.

 

KEY: international guest teachers

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2009

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401(3); 53A-1-402(1)(a)