R277-516-2. Definitions

  (1) "Association" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 53G-7-1101(3).

  (2) "Charter school governing board" means a board designated by a charter school to make decisions for the operation of the charter school.

  (3) "Charter school board member" means a current member of a charter school governing board.

  (4) "Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS)" means the database maintained on all licensed Utah educators, which includes information such as:

  (a) personal directory information;

  (b) educational background;

  (c) endorsements;

  (d) employment history;

  (e) professional development information;

  (f) completion of employee background checks; and

  (g) a record of disciplinary action taken against the educator.

  (5) "Contract employee" means an employee of a staffing service who works at a public school under a contract between the staffing service and the public school.

  (6) "DPS" means the Department of Public Safety.

  (7) "LEA" or "local education agency" for purposes of this rule includes the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

  (8)(a) "Licensed educator" means an individual who holds a valid Utah educator license and has satisfied all requirements to be a licensed educator in the Utah public school system (examples are traditional public school teachers, charter school teachers, school administrators, Board employees, and school district specialists).

  (b) A licensed educator may or may not be employed in a position that requires an educator license.

  (c) A licensed educator includes an individual who:

  (i) is student teaching;

  (ii) is in an alternative route to licensing program or position; or

  (iii) holds an LEA-specific competency-based license.

  (9) "Non-licensed public education employee" means an employee of a an LEA who:

  (a) does not hold a current Utah educator license issued by the Board under Title 53E, Chapter 6, Educator Licensing and Professional Practices Act; or

  (b) is a contract employee.

  (10) "Public education employer" means the education entity that hires and employs an individual, including public school districts, the Utah State Office of Education, Regional Service Centers, and charter schools.

  (11) "Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission" or "UPPAC" means an advisory commission established to assist and advise the Board in matters relating to the professional practices of educators, established in Section 53E-6-501.

  (12) "Volunteer" means a volunteer who may be given significant unsupervised access to children in connection with the volunteer's assignment.