R277-301-7. LEA-specific Educator License Requirements

  (1) The Superintendent may issue an LEA-specific educator license to a candidate if:

  (a) the LEA requesting the LEA-specific educator license has an adopted policy, posted on the LEA's website, which includes:

  (i) educator preparation and support:

  (A) as established by the LEA; and

  (B) aligned with the Utah Effective Teaching Standards described in R277-530;

  (ii) criteria for employing educators with an LEA-specific license; and

  (iii) compliance with all requirements of this Rule R277-301;

  (b) an LEA governing board applies on behalf of the the candidate

  (c) the candidate meets all the requirements in this Section R277-301-7; and

  (d) within the first year of employment, the LEA trains the candidate on:

  (i) educator ethics;

  (ii) classroom management and instruction;

  (iii) basic special education law and instruction; and

  (iv) the Utah Effective Teaching Standards described in R277-530.

  (2)(a) Except as provided in Subsection (2)(b), an LEA governing board may request an LEA-specific educator license for a license area described in Subsection R277-301-2(6).

  (b) An LEA may not request an LEA-specific educator license for a license area in:

  (i) Special Education; or

  (ii) Preschool Special Education.

  (3) An LEA-specific license, license area, or endorsement is valid only within the requesting LEA.

  (4) An LEA-specific license, license area, or endorsement is valid for one, two, or three years in accordance with the LEA governing board's application.

  (5) The first renewal of an LEA-specific educator license, license area, or endorsement shall be approved or denied by the Board.

  (6) The Board may require that subsequent renewals be approved by the Board on a case by case basis.

  (7) An LEA-specific license expires immediately if the educator's employment with the LEA that requested the license ends.

  (8) The general requirements for an LEA-specific educator license shall include:

  (a) completion of a criminal background check including review of any criminal offenses and clearance in accordance with Rule R277-214;

  (b) completion of the educator ethics review described in Rule R277-500 within one calendar year prior to the application; and

  (c) approval of the request by the LEA governing board in a public meeting no more than 60 days prior to the application, which includes the LEA's rationale for the request.

  (9) The content knowledge and pedagogical requirements for an LEA-specific educator license shall be established by the LEA governing board.