R277-514. Deaf Education in Public Schools  


R277-514-1. 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; and

  (c) Subsection 53E-3-501(1)(a), which requires the Board to establish the qualification and certification of educators.

  (2) The purpose of this rule is to specify the requirements for Deaf Education licensing.


R277-514-2. Deaf Education (Birth to Age 22) License Area of Concentration
Latest version.

  (1) A deaf education (birth to age 22) license area of concentration permits an educator to teach a class composed of deaf and hard of hearing students from birth to age 22 if the educator holds the appropriate endorsement as described in R277-520-4.

  (2) The Board may approve an application for a Deaf Education license area of concentration if the applicant:

  (a)(i) completes a deaf education teacher preparation program approved by the Board as described in Section R277-514-3; or

  (ii) holds a valid deaf education license issued by a state other than Utah under the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification Interstate Agreement;

  (b) passes a deaf education competency exam approved by the Board;

  (c) has met the requirements of at least one of the following endorsements:

  (i) Listening and Spoken Language endorsement, which indicates that the endorsement holder's preparation focused on teaching deaf and hard of hearing students with listening and spoken language strategies; or

  (ii) ASL/English-bilingual/bicultural endorsement, which indicates that the endorsement holder's preparation focused on strategies that promote the development of American Sign Language and English literacy across the curriculum; and

  (d) if the applicant intends to teach in grades six through twelve, has met the requirements of at least one content specific area endorsement.


R277-514-3. Deaf Education Program
Latest version.

  The Board may approve an institution of higher education's deaf education teacher preparation program if the program includes course work specifically designed to train candidates to:

  (1) understand the legal and ethical issues surrounding deaf education;

  (2) comply with:

  (a) the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act of 2004, Pub. L. No. 108-446; and

  (b) Board rule;

  (3) address specific linguistic and cultural needs of deaf and hard of hearing students throughout the curriculum;

  (4) demonstrate techniques for incorporating language into all aspects of the curriculum;

  (5) demonstrate pedagogical skills unique to teaching reading, writing, math and other content areas to deaf and hard of hearing students;

  (6) demonstrate basic fluency in the use of American Sign Language;

  (7) understand audiological and physiological components of audition;

  (8) understand techniques for teaching speech to deaf and hard of hearing students;

  (9) understand the socio-cultural and psychological implications of hearing loss; and

  (10) assess and address the educational needs and educational progress of deaf and hard of hearing students.