R277-522-3. Required Entry Years Enhancements Requirements for a Level 1 Teacher to Advance to a Level 2 License

  (1) Prior to advancement to a Level 2 license, a Level 1 teacher shall:

  (a) satisfactorily collaborate with a trained mentor;

  (b) pass a required pedagogical exam;

  (c) complete three years of employment and evaluation; and

  (d) compile a working portfolio.

  (2) A principal shall assign a mentor to each Level 1 teacher in the first semester of teaching to supervise and act as a resource for the entry level teacher.

  (3) A mentor teacher shall teach in the same school, and where feasible, in the same subject area as the Level 1 teacher.

  (4) A mentor assigned in accordance with Subsection (2) shall:

  (a) hold a Level 2 or 3 license; and

  (b) have completed a mentor training program including continuing professional development.

  (5) A mentor assigned in accordance with Subsection (2) shall:

  (a) guide the Level 1 teacher to meet the procedural demands of the school and school district;

  (b) provide moral and emotional support;

  (c) arrange for opportunities for the Level 1 teacher to observe teachers who use various models of teaching;

  (d) share personal knowledge and expertise about new materials, planning strategies, curriculum development and teaching methods;

  (e) assist the Level 1 teacher with classroom management and discipline;

  (f) support the Level 1 teacher on an ongoing basis;

  (g) help the Level 1 teacher to understand the implications of student diversity for teaching and learning;

  (h) engage the Level 1 teacher in self-assessment and reflection; and

  (i) assist with development of the Level 1 teacher's portfolio.

  (6) A Level 1 teacher shall pass the Praxis II with a qualifying score of at least 160 prior to advancing to Level 2 licensure.

  (a) A Level 1 teacher may take the Praxis II successive times.

  (b) The Superintendent shall post a Level 1 teacher's Praxis II results in CACTUS.

  (7) A Level 1 teacher shall successfully complete evaluation through an LEA or accredited private school.

  (a) A Level 1 teacher shall maintain full employment for three years in an LEA or accredited private school.

  (b) An employing LEA or accredited private school may, following evaluation of a Level 1 teacher's experience, determine that teaching experience outside of the Utah public schools satisfies the teaching experience requirement of this rule.

  (c) An LEA has discretion in determining the employment or reemployment status of individuals.

  (d)(i) A Level 1 teacher's employing LEA or accredited private school is responsible for conducting the evaluations required under this rule.

  (ii) An LEA may assign evaluations required under this rule to a school principal.

  (e) A Level 1 teacher's evaluations shall take place at least twice during the first year of teaching and at least twice during each of the following two years with a satisfactory final evaluation.

  (8) A Level 1 teacher shall compile a working portfolio during the teacher's entry years.

  (a) A Level 1 teacher's employing LEA or accredited private school shall review and evaluate the portfolio.

  (b) The Superintendent may review the portfolio upon request during the Level 1 teacher's second year of teaching.

  (9) A portfolio required under Subsection (8) shall be based upon INTASC principles; and may:

  (a) include teaching artifacts;

  (b) include notations explaining the artifacts; and

  (c) include a reflection and self-assessment of the teacher's own practice; or

  (d) be interpreted broadly to include the employing LEA's or accredited private school's requirement of samples of the first year teaching experience.