No. 27206 (Amendment): R277-501. Educator Licensing Renewal

DAR File No.: 27206
Filed: 06/01/2004, 03:16
Received by: NL

 

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide for a renewal point category for volunteer and paraprofessional service in instructional roles, to update terminology and make the rule consistent with other licensing rules, and to provide for individual responsibility of educators to track their renewal cycles.

 

Summary of the rule or change:

The rules provides new definitions, a new category of acceptable activities for a licensed educator to receive professional development points, and updates terminology to make the rule consistent with state and federal law.

 

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 53A-6-104

 

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The amendments to this rule may result in savings to the state if individuals take seriously the responsibility to track their own renewal requirements.

 

local governments:

There are no cost or savings to school districts except very speculative savings that could result if individuals maintaining licenses volunteer in schools.

 

other persons:

There are no specific cost or savings to other persons. The rule provides individuals with one more option for professional development toward license renewal which could save money, though very speculative.

 

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. The rule provides individuals with one more option for professional development toward license renewal which could save money, though very speculative.

 

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. Patrick Ogden, Interim 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:

07/15/2004

 

This rule may become effective on:

07/16/2004

 

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Coordinator School Law and Legislation

 

 

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-501. Educator Licensing Renewal, Highly Qualified and Timelines.

R277-501-1. Definitions.

A. "Acceptable alternative professional development activities" means activities that do not fall within a specific category under R277-501-3 but are consistent with this rule.

B. "Accredited" means a teacher preparation program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) or one of the major regional accrediting associations as defined under R277-503-1L.

[B]C. "Active educator" means an individual holding a valid license issued by the Board who is employed by a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school in a role covered by the license or an individual who has taught successfully for three of the five years in the educator's renewal cycle.

[C]D. "Active educator license" means a license that is currently valid for service in a position requiring a license.

[D]E. "Approved Inservice" means training or courses, approved by the USOE under R277-519-3, in which current educators or individuals who have previously received a license may participate to renew a license, teach in another subject area or teach at another grade level.

[E]F. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

[F]G. "College/university course" means a course taken through an institution approved under Section 53A-6-108. "University level course" means a course having the same academic rigor and requirements similar to a university/college course and taught by appropriately trained individuals.

[G]H. "Core academic subjects" means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), also known as the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB), Title IX, Part A, 20 U.S.C. 7801, Section 9101(11).

[H]I. "Documentation of professional development activities" means:

(1) an original report card or student transcript for university/college courses;

(2) certificate of completion for an approved inservice, conference, workshop, institute, symposium, educational travel experience and staff development;

(3) summary, explanation, or copy of the product and supervisor's signature, if available, or complete documentation of professional development activities that support district and school policies and further academic pursuit or educational innovations of professional development activities. All agendas, work products, and certificates shall be maintained by the educator[ in the educator's Utah Educator License Renewal Folder];

(4) an agenda or conference program demonstrating sessions and duration of professional development activities.

[I]J. "Educational research" means conducting educational research or investigating education innovations.

[J]K. "Highly qualified" means a teacher has met the specific requirements of ESEA, NCLB, Title IX, Part A, 20 U.S.C. 7801, Section 9101(23).

[K]L. "HOUSSE" means high, objective, uniform state standard of evaluation permitted under ESEA, NCLB, Title IX, Part A, 20 U.S.C. 7801, Section 9101(23)(C)(ii).

[L]M. "Inactive educator" means an individual holding a valid license issued by the Board who was employed by a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school in a role covered by the license for less than three years in the individual's renewal period.

[M]N. "Inactive educator license" means a license, other than a surrendered, suspended or revoked license, that is currently not valid due to the holder's failure to complete requirements for license renewal.

[N]O. "Level 1 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued upon completion of an approved preparation program or an alternative preparation program, or pursuant to an agreement under the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, to [candidates]applicants who have also met all ancillary requirements established by law or rule.

[O]P. "Level 2 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued after satisfaction of all requirements for a Level 1 license and:

(1) requirements established by law or rule;[ and]

(2) three years of successful education experience within a five-year period[.]; and

(3) satisfaction of requirements under R277-522 for teachers employed after January 1, 2003.

[P]Q. "Level 3 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued to an educator who holds a current Utah Level 2 license and has also received National Board Certification or a doctorate in education or in a field related to a content area in a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school.

[Q]R. "License" means an authorization issued by the Board which permits the holder to serve in a professional capacity in a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school.

[R]S. "NASDTEC" means the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. NASDTEC maintains an Educator Information Clearinghouse for its members regarding persons whose licenses have been suspended or revoked.

[S]T. "National Board Certification" means the successful completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) process, a three-year process, that may include national content-area assessment, an extensive portfolio, and assessment of video-taped classroom teaching experience.[

T. "NCATE" means the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, that has established standards for teacher education programs and holds accredited institutions accountable for meeting these standards.]

U. "Professional development plan" means a document prepared by the educator consistent with this rule.

V. "Professional development points" means the points accumulated by a Utah license holder through activities approved under this rule for the purpose of satisfying requirements of Section 53A-6-104.[

W. "Utah Educator License Renewal Folder" means the folder provided by the USOE or school districts for educators to collect and track professional activities for purposes of license renewal. The Utah Educator License Renewal Folder may also be developed by an educator upon his own initiative and in an individual format, but shall include adequate documentation of participation in activities approved under this rule.]

[X]W. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

[Y]X. "Verification of employment" means official documentation of employment as an educator.

 

R277-501-2. 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-6-104 which requires the Board to make rules requiring participation in professional development activities in order for educators to retain Utah licensure, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which permits the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to provide definitions and requirements for an educator to renew a Utah educator license. This rule requires verification of employment, development of a professional development plan and documentation of activities consistent with Section Title 53A, Chapter 6.

 

R277-501-3. Categories of Acceptable Activities for a Licensed Educator.

A. A college/university course:

(1) shall be successfully completed with a "C" or better, or a "pass."

(2) Each semester hour equals 18 license points; or

(3) Each quarter hour equals 12 license points.

B. Inservice:

(1) shall be state-approved under R277-519-3.

(2) may be requested from the USOE by:

(a) written request from a private provider on a form supplied by the USOE and received by the appropriate USOE subject specialist at least two weeks prior to the beginning date of the scheduled inservice, or

(b) a request submitted through the computerized inservice program connected to the USOE licensure system.

(i) The computerized process is available in most Utah school districts and area technology centers.

(ii) Such requests shall be made at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the scheduled inservice.

(3) Each clock hour of authorized inservice time equals one professional development point.

(4) The inservice shall be successfully completed through attendance and required project(s).

C. Conferences, workshops, institutes, symposia, educational travel experience or staff-development programs:

(1) Acceptable workshops and programs include those with prior written approval by the USOE, recognized professional associations, district supervisors, or school supervisors regardless of the source of sponsorship or funding.

(2) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of educational participation.

D. Service in professional activities in an educational institution:

(1) Acceptable service includes that in which the license holder contributes to improving achievement in a school, district, or other educational institution, including planning and implementation of an improvement plan.

(2) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation.

(3) An inactive educator may earn professional development points by service in professional activities under the supervision of an active administrator.

E. Service in a leadership role in a national, state-wide or district recognized professional education organization:

(1) Acceptable service includes that in which the license holder assumes a leadership role in a professional education organization.

(2) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation with a maximum of 10 license points per year.

F. Educational research and innovation that results in a final, demonstrable product:

(1) Acceptable activities include conducting educational research or investigating educational innovations.

(2) This research activity shall follow school and district policy.

(3) An inactive educator may conduct research and receive professional development points on programs or issues approved by a practicing administrator.

(4) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation.

G. Acceptable alternative professional development activities:

(1) Acceptable activities are those that enhance or improve education yet may not fall into a specific category.

(2) These activities shall be approved by an educators's principal/supervisor.

(3) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation.

H. Substituting in a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school may be an acceptable alternative professional development activity toward license renewal if the license holder is not an active educator as defined under R277-501[B]C and is paid and authorized as a substitute. A substitute shall earn one point for every two hours of documented substitute time. Verification of hours shall be obtained from the employer or from the supervising principal. A license holder may earn [a maximum of 50 professional development points during the renewal period as a substitute]up to 25 professional development points per year not to exceed a total of 50 points in a license cycle as a substitute.

I. A license-holder who instructs students in a professional or volunteer capacity in a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school may earn up to 25 professional development points per year not to exceed a total of 50 points in a license cycle. Paraprofessionals/volunteers may accrue one professional development point for every three hours of paraprofessional/volunteer service, as determined and verified by the building principal or supervisor.

[I]J. Up to 50 license points may be earned in any one or any combination of categories D, [F]E and [G]F above.

 

R277-501-4. NCLB Highly Qualified - Secondary.

In order to meet the federal requirements under a Highly Objective Uniform Statewide System of Evaluation (HOUSSE), a secondary educator shall have a bachelor's degree, an educator license and one of the following for each of the teacher's NCLB Core academic subject assignments:

A. a University major degree, masters degree, doctoral degree or National Board Certification; or

B. documentation that the teacher has passed, at a level designated by the USOE, an appropriate USOE-approved subject area test(s); or

C. an endorsement in a subject area directly related to the educator's academic major; or

D. documentation of coursework equivalent to a major degree (30 semester or 45 quarter hours); or

E. documentation of satisfaction of Utah's HOUSSE requirements for assignments not directly related to the educator's academic major:

(1) a current endorsement for the assignment; and

(2) completion of 200 professional development points directly related to the area in which the teacher seeks to meet the federal standard under R277-501(3) as applicable. (No more than 100 points may be earned for successful teaching in related area(s)); and

(3) [points and documentation are required for teachers of all NCLB content courses prior to]all Utah secondary teachers who teach NCLB content courses shall have points and documentation of highly qualified status before June 30, 2006; and

(4) documentation includes official transcripts, annual teaching evaluation(s), data of adequate student achievement.

 

R277-501-5. NCLB Highly Qualified - Elementary and Early Childhood.

A. In order to meet the federal requirements under a Highly Objective Uniform Statewide System of Evaluation (HOUSSE), an elementary/early childhood educator shall satisfy before June 30, 2006 R277-501-5A (1) and (2) and (3)(a) or (b), and B or C as provided below:

(1) the educator has a current Utah educator license; and

(2) the educator is assigned consistent with the teacher's current state educator license; and

(3) the educator shall:

(a) have completed an elementary or early childhood major or both from an accredited college or university; or

(b) the teacher's employer may review the teacher's college/university transcripts and subsequent professional development to document that the following have been satisfied with academic grades of C or better:

(i) nine semester hours of language arts/reading or the equivalent; and

(ii) six semester hours of physical/biological science or the equivalent; and

(iii) nine semester hours of social sciences or the equivalent; and

(iv) three semester hours of the arts or the equivalent; and

(v) nine semester hours of college level mathematics or the equivalent as approved by the USOE; and

(vi) six semester hours of elementary/early childhood methodology (block); and

B. the educator has obtained a Level 2 license; or

C. An elementary/early childhood teacher shall pass Board-approved content test(s).

 

R277-501-6. Required Renewal License Points for Designated License Holders.

A. Level 1 license holder with no licensed educator experience.

(1) An educator desiring to retain active status shall earn at least 100 license points in each three year period.

B. Level 1 license holder with one year licensed educator experience within a three year period.

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 75 license points in each three year period; and

(2) any years taught shall have satisfactory evaluation(s).

C. Level 1 license holder with two years licensed educator experience within a three year period.

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 50 license points in each three year period; and

(2) Any years taught shall have satisfactory evaluation(s).

D. Level 1 license holder with three years licensed educator experience within a three year period.

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 25 professional development points in each three year period; and

(2) Any years taught shall have satisfactory evaluation(s).

E. An educator seeking a Level 2 license shall notify the USOE of completion of Level 2 license prerequisites consistent with R277-522, Entry Years Enhancements (EYE) for Quality Teaching - Level 1 Utah Teachers and R277-502, Educator Licensing and Data Retention.

F. Level 2 license holder:

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 100 license points within each five year period. License points shall be earned in activities defined under this rule that contribute to competence, performance, and effectiveness in the education profession.

(2) An inactive educator shall earn at least 200 license points within a five year period to maintain an active educator license.

(3) An inactive educator who works one year within a five year period shall earn 165 license points within a five year period to maintain an active educator license.

(4) An inactive educator who works two years within a five year period shall earn 130 license points within a five year period to maintain an active educator license.

(5) Credit for any year(s) taught requires satisfactory evaluation(s).

G. Level 3 license holder:

(1) A Level 3 license holder with National Board Certification shall meet the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) requirements consistent with the NBPTS schedule available from the USOE Educator Licensure Section. A Level 3 license holder shall be responsible to provide verification of NBPTS status prior to the license holder's designated renewal date.

(2) A Level 3 license holder with a doctorate degree in education or in a field related to a content area in a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school shall meet the active or inactive educator Level 2 license holder requirements within a seven year period.

(3) An educator seeking a Level 3 license shall notify the USOE of completion of Level 3 license requirements. Level 3 license criteria apply to the license holder as of the license holder's renewal date following the notification to the USOE.

H. Teachers seeking license renewal who do not meet NCLB standards shall focus 100 of the 200 required professional development points in teaching assignments in which the teacher does not hold an appropriate major or major equivalent.

 

R277-501-7. Renewal Timeline with Point Requirements for Educator Level 2 License Holders.

A. Level 2 active educators:

(1) A licensed educator whose license expires June 30, 2004 shall earn 80 license points between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2004 and shall provide verification of employment.

(2) A licensed educator whose license expires June 30, 2005 shall earn 100 license points between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2005 and shall provide verification of employment.

B. Level 2 inactive educators:

(1) A licensed educator whose license expires on June 30, 2004 shall earn 180 license points between July 1, 1999 and June 30, 2004.

(2) A licensed educator whose license expires after June 30, 2004 shall earn 200 license points during the renewal period.

 

R277-501-8. Miscellaneous Renewal Information.

A. A licensed educator shall develop and maintain a professional development plan. The plan:

(1) shall be based on the educator's professional goals and current or anticipated assignment,

(2) shall take into account the goals and priorities of the school/district,

(3) shall be consistent with federal and state laws and district policies, and

(4) may be adjusted as circumstances change.

(5) shall be reviewed and signed by the educator's supervisor.

(6) If an educator is not employed in education at the renewal date, the educator shall:

(a) review the plan and documentation with a professional colleague who may sign the professional development plan and USOE verification form, or

(b) review the professional development plan and personally sign the verification form.

B. Each Utah license holder shall be responsible for maintaining a professional development folder.

(1) It is the educator's responsibility to retain copies of complete documentation of professional development activities with appropriate signatures.

(2) The professional development folder shall be retained by the educator for a minimum of two renewal cycles.

C. The "Verification for License Renewal" form shall be submitted to the USOE Licensing Section, 250 East 500 South, P.O. Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200 between January 1 and June 30 of the renewal year.

(1) Forms that are not complete or do not bear original signatures shall not be processed.

(2) Failure to submit the verification form consistent with deadlines shall result in beginning anew the administrative licensure process, including all attendant fees and criminal background checks.

(3) The USOE may, at its own discretion, review or audit verification for license renewal forms or [the Utah E]educator [L]license [R]renewal [F]folders or records.

D. License holders may begin to acquire professional development points under this rule as of July 1, 1999.

E. This rule does not explain criteria or provide credit standards for state approved inservice programs. That information is provided in R277-519.

F. Credit for district lane changes or other purposes is determined by a school district and is awarded at a school district's discretion. Professional development points should not be assumed to be credit for school district purposes, such as salary or lane change credit.

G. A renewal fee set by the USOE shall be charged to educators who seek renewal from an inactive status or to make level changes. Educators with active licenses shall [not ]be charged a renewal fee consistent with R277-503.

H. The USOE may make exceptions to the provisions of this rule for unique and compelling circumstances.

(1) Exceptions may only be made consistent with the purposes of this rule and the authorizing statutes.

(2) Requests for exceptions shall be made in writing at least 30 days prior to the license holder's renewal date to the Coordinator of Educator Licensing, USOE.

(3) Approval or disapproval shall be made in a timely manner.

I. Licenses awarded under R277-521, Professional Specialist Licensing, are subject to renewal requirements under this rule.

(1) Specialists shall be considered licensed as of September 15, 1999, the effective date of R277-521.

(2) All specialists shall be considered Level 1 license holders.

(3) Years of work experience beginning September 15, 1999 count toward levels of licensure.

J. Consistent with Section 53A-6-104(2) and (4), an educator may comply with the professional development requirements of this rule by:

(1) satisfactory completion of the educator's employing school district's district-specific professional development plan; and

(2) submission by the employing school district of the names of educators who completed district-specific professional development plans; and

(3) submission of professional development information in a timely manner consistent with the educator's license renewal cycle; failure of timely notification by districts to the USOE may result in expiration of licenses and additional time and costs for relicensure.

K. Completion of relicensure requirements by an educator under R277-501-6 or R277-501-8J, may not satisfy HOUSSE requirements for highly qualified status under No Child Left Behind, as defined in R277-520.

L. Educators are individually responsible for tracking their renewal cycles and completing professional development in a timely manner.

 

KEY: educational program evaluations, educator license renewal

[April 15, ]2004

Art X Sec 3

53A-6-104

53A-1-401(3)