R277-509. Licensure of Student Teachers and Interns  


R277-509-1. Authority and Purpose
Latest version.

  (1) This rule is authorized by:

  (a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

  (b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law;

  (c) Subsection 53E-6-201(1), which permits the Board to issue licenses for educators; and

  (d) Subsection 53E-6-402(1), which directs the Board to establish a procedure for obtaining and evaluating relevant information about license applicants.

  (2) The purpose of this rule is to specify the procedure under which the Board issues licenses to student teachers and interns.


R277-509-2. Definitions
Latest version.

  (1) "Cooperating teacher" means a licensed teacher employed by an LEA who is qualified to directly supervise a student teacher or intern during the period the student teacher or intern is assigned to the LEA.

  (2)(a) "Intern" means a teacher education student, who, in an advanced stage of preparation, usually as a culminating experience, may be employed in a school setting for a period of up to one year and receive salary proportionate to the service rendered.

  (b) An intern is supervised primarily by the school system while maintaining a continuing relationship with college personnel as part of a planned program designed to produce a demonstrably competent professional.

  (3) "LEA" includes, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

  (4) "Student teacher" means a college student preparing to teach who is assigned a period of guided teaching during which the student assumes increasing responsibility for directing the learning of a group or groups of students over a period of time.


R277-509-3. Issuing Licenses
Latest version.

  (1) The Superintendent shall recommend applicants enrolled in teacher preparation programs for student teacher or intern licenses.

  (2) The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission shall review background check information and make recommendations to the Board regarding student teacher and intern license applicants in accordance with Rule R277-214.

  (3)(a) An LEA may not give a student teacher or intern an unsupervised classroom assignment prior to issuance of a license in accordance with this Rule R277-509.

  (b) If an LEA assigns a student teacher or intern to a position in violation of Subsection (3)(a), the Superintendent shall not recognize the service as fulfilling the student teacher's or intern's requirements for Level 1 licensure.

  (c) An LEA is responsible to verify with the Board that a student teacher or intern has appropriate licensure.

  (4) A teacher preparation programs may allow an unlicensed student teacher or intern to complete student teaching or intern hours only if the university provides a constant supervisor for the student teacher's or intern's work in the public schools.

  (5)(a) The Superintendent may only recommend for licensure a student teacher or intern assigned to elementary, middle, or secondary schools under cooperating teachers for part of their preparation program.

  (b) A supervising administrator must be permanently assigned to the building to which an intern is assigned.

  (6) A student teacher or intern license is valid only for the period of time indicated on the license.


R277-509-4. Effective Dates
Latest version.

  (1) This rule shall be effective through June 30, 2020.

  (2) This rule shall sunset on July 1, 2020.