R277-522-2. Definitions

  (1) "Comprehensive Administration of Credentials for Teachers in Utah Schools" or "CACTUS" has the same meaning as set forth in Subsection R277-512-2(1).

  (2) "Entry years" means the three years a beginning teacher holds a Level 1 license.

  (3) "Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium" or "INTASC" means the organization that has established Model Standards for Beginning Teacher Licensing and Development, which include ten principles reflecting what beginning teachers should know and be able to do as a professional teacher.

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

  (5) "Level 1 license" has the same meaning as set forth in Subsection R277-503-2(9).

  (6) "Level 2 license" has the same meaning as set forth in Subsection R277-503-2(10).

  (7) "Level 3 license" has the same meaning as set forth in Subsection R277-503-2(11).

  (8) "Mentor" means a Level 2 or Level 3 educator, who is trained to advise and guide Level 1 teachers.

  (9) "Praxis II" or "Praxis II - Principles of Learning and Teaching" is a widely-used standards-based test designed by the Educational Testing Services to assess a beginning teacher's pedagogical knowledge.

  (10) "Professional development" means locally or Board-approved education-related training or activities that enhance an educator's background consistent with Rule R277-501.

  (11) "Teaching assessment or evaluation" means an observation of a Level 1 teacher's instructional skills by a school district or school administrator using an evaluation tool based on or similar to INTASC principles.

  (12) "Working portfolio" means a collection of documents prepared by a Level 1 teacher and used as a tool for evaluation.