R277-504-2. Definitions

  (1)(a) "Council for Exceptional Children" or "CEC" is an international professional organization dedicated to improving the educational success of both individuals with disabilities and individuals with gifts and talents.

  (b) CEC advocates for appropriate governmental policies, sets professional standards, provides professional development, advocates for individuals with exceptionalities, and helps professionals obtain conditions and resources necessary for effective professional practice.

  (2)(a) "Early Childhood license area of concentration" means an Early Childhood Education teaching license required for teaching kindergarten and permitting assignment in kindergarten through grade three.

  (b) An early childhood license area of concentration is recommended for those teaching in formal public school programs below kindergarten level.

  (3)(a) "Early intervention credential" is the highest qualified personnel standard established by the Department of Health that persons shall meet to be able to provide services to infants and toddlers with disabilities age 0-3 in early intervention settings.

  (b) In order to provide services to infants and toddlers with disabilities age 0-3 in early intervention settings, an individual shall have an Early Intervention Credential or a Preschool Special Education (Birth- Age 5) license.

  (4) "Elementary (1-8) license area of concentration" means an elementary teaching license required for teaching grades one through eight.

  (5) "Elementary (K-6) license area of concentration" means an elementary teaching license required for teaching grades kindergarten through six.

  (6) "Endorsement" means a specialty field or area listed on the teaching license which indicates the specific qualification of the holder.

  (7) "Highest requirements in the State applicable to a specific profession or discipline" means the highest entry-level academic degree needed for any State-approved or State-recognized certification, license, registration, or other comparable requirement that applies to that profession or discipline.

  (8)(a) "Internship" means the placement of a teacher education student in an advanced stage of preparation, as a culminating experience, in employment in a school setting for a period of up to one school year during which the intern shall receive salary proportionate to the service rendered as determined by the LEA.

  (b) An intern is supervised primarily by the school system but with a continuing relationship with college personnel and following a planned program designed to produce a demonstrably competent professional.

  (9) "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 applicants who have also met all ancillary requirements established by law or rule.

  (10) "Level 2 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued by the Board after satisfaction of:

  (a) all requirements for a Level 1 license;

  (b) satisfaction of requirements under R277-522 for teachers whose employment as a Level 1 licensed educator began after January 1, 2003 in a Utah public LEA or accredited private school;

  (c) at least three years of successful education experience in a Utah public LEA or accredited private school or one year of successful education experience in a Utah public LEA or accredited private school and at least three years of successful education experience in a public LEA or accredited private school outside of Utah; and

  (d) additional requirements established by law or rule.

  (11) "Preschool Special Education (Birth-Age 5) license area of concentration" means a teaching license required for teaching preschool students with disabilities.

  (12)(a) "Secondary license area of concentration" means a secondary teaching license required for teaching grades six through twelve.

  (b) Secondary license areas carry endorsements for the areas in which the holder is qualified to provide instruction.

  (13)(a) "Special Education license area of concentration (K-12)" means a special education teaching license required for teaching students with disabilities in kindergarten through grade twelve.

  (b) Special Education areas of concentration carry endorsements in at least one of the following areas:

  (i) Mild/Moderate Endorsement, which indicates that the holder's preparation focused on teaching students with mild/moderate learning and behavior problems;

  (ii) Severe Endorsement, which indicates that the holder's preparation focused on teaching students with severe learning and behavior problems;

  (iii) Deaf and Hard of Hearing Endorsement, which indicates that the holder's preparation focused on teaching students who are deaf or other hearing impaired;

  (iv) Blind and Visually Impaired Endorsement, which indicates that the holder's preparation focused on teaching students who are blind or other visually impaired; and

  (v) Deafblind Endorsement, which indicates that the holder's preparation focused on teaching students who are both blind or other visually impaired and deaf or other hearing impaired.

  (14) "Student teaching" means the placement of a teacher education student in an advanced stage of preparation for a period of guided teaching in a school setting during which the student assumes increasing responsibility for directing the learning of a group or groups of students over a period of time.