R277-503-2. Definitions

  (1) "Alternative Routes to Licensure advisors" or "ARL advisors" means:

  (a) a specialist designated by the Superintendent with specific professional development and educator licensing expertise; and

  (b) a curriculum specialist designated by the Superintendent.

  (2)(a) "Career and technical education" or "CTE" means organized educational programs that:

  (i) prepare individuals for a wide range of high-skill, high-demand careers;

  (ii) provide all students with a seamless education system from public education to post-secondary education, driven by a Plan for College and Career Readiness; and

  (iii) provide students competency-based instruction, hands-on experiences, and certified occupational skills, culminating in further education and meaningful employment.

  (b) CTE areas of study include:

  (i) agriculture;

  (ii) business and marketing;

  (iii) family and consumer sciences;

  (iv) health science;

  (v) information technology;

  (vi) skilled and technical sciences; and

  (vii) technology and engineering education.

  (3) "Competency-based" means a teacher training approach structured for an individual to master and demonstrate content and teaching skills and knowledge at the individual's own pace and sometimes in alternative settings.

  (4) "Core academic subject" means English, reading or language arts, mathematics, science, foreign languages, civics and government, economics, arts, history, and geography.

  (5) "Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation" or "CAEP" means the nationally-recognized organization that provides accreditation of professional teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the preparation of k-12 teachers.

  (6) "Endorsement" means a supplemental qualification to a teaching license that is based on content area mastery obtained through a higher education major or minor or through a state-approved endorsement program.

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

  (8) "Letter of authorization" means a formal approval given to an individual, such as an out-of-state candidate or a first year ARL candidate who:

  (a) is employed by an LEA in a position requiring a professional educator license;

  (b) has not completed the requirements for an ARL license or a Level 1, 2, or 3 license; or

  (c) has not completed necessary endorsement requirements.

  (9) "Level 1 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued by the Board to an applicant who has met all ancillary requirements established by law or rule, and:

  (a) completed an approved preparation program;

  (b) completed an alternative preparation program;

  (c) is approved pursuant to an agreement under the NASDTEC Interstate Contract; or

  (d) completed the requirements of R277-511.

  (10) "Level 2 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued by the Board after satisfaction of all requirements for a Level 1 license and:

  (1) 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;

  (2) 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;

  (3) additional requirements established by law or rule.

  (11) "Level 3 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued by the Board to an educator who holds a current Utah Level 2 license and has also received:

  (a) National Board Certification;

  (b) a doctorate in education or in a field related to a content area in a unit of the public education system or an accredited private school; or

  (i) holds a Speech-Language Pathology area of concentration; and

  (ii) has obtained American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) certification.

  (12) "National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification" or "NASDTEC" means the educator information clearinghouse that maintains an interstate reciprocity agreement and database for its members regarding educators whose licenses have been suspended or revoked.

  (13) "National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education" or "NCATE" means the nationally-recognized organization that accredits the education units providing baccalaureate and graduate degree programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools.

  (14) "Pedagogical knowledge" means practices and strategies of teaching, classroom management, preparation and planning that are in addition to an educator's content knowledge of an academic discipline.

  (15) "Regional accreditation" means formal approval of a school that has met standards considered to be essential for the operation of a quality school program by the following organizations:

  (a) Middle States Commission on Higher Education;

  (b) New England Association of Schools and Colleges;

  (c) North Central Association Commission on Accreditation and School Improvement;

  (d) Northwest Accreditation Commission;

  (e) Southern Association of Colleges and Schools; and

  (f) Western Association of Schools and colleges: Senior College Commission.

  (16) "Restricted endorsement" means a qualification available only to teachers in necessarily existent small school settings based on content area knowledge obtained through a Board-approved program of study or demonstrated through passage of a Board-designated test.

  (17) "State-approved Endorsement Plan" or "SAEP" means a plan in place developed between the Superintendent and a licensed educator to direct the completion of endorsement requirements by the educator.

  (18) "Teacher Education Accreditation Council" or "TEAC" means the nationally recognized organization which provides accreditation of professional teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the preparation of K-12 teachers.