R277-716-2. Definitions

  (1) "Alternative language services program" or "ALS program" means an evidence-based language instruction educational program used to achieve English proficiency and academic progress of identified students.

  (2) "Alternative language services" or "ALS" means language services designed to meet the education needs of all students learning English so that students are able to participate effectively in the regular instruction program.

  (3) "Consolidated State Plan" means the application for federal funds authorized under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, or ESEA, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 1001, et seq., as amended, and other federal sources submitted annually to the Superintendent.

  (4) "Evidence-based language instruction education program" means evidence-based methods, recommended by the Superintendent, that meet the "Non-Regulatory Guidance: Using Evidence to Strengthen Education Investments" developed by the U.S. Department of Education.

  (5) "Immigrant children and youth" for purposes of this rule means individuals who:

  (a) are ages 3 through 21;

  (b) were born outside of the United States; and

  (c) have not been attending one or more schools in any one or more states of the United States for more than three full academic years.

  (6) "Instructional Materials Commission" means a Commission appointed by the Board to evaluate instructional materials for recommendation by the Board consistent with Title 53E, Chapter 4, State Instructional Materials Commission.

  (7) "Language instruction educational program" means an instructional course:

  (a) in which a student learning English is placed for the purpose of developing and attaining English proficiency, while meeting challenging state academic standards;

  (b) that may make instructional use of both English and a child's native language to enable the child to attain and develop English proficiency; and

  (c) that may include the participation of English proficient children if the course is designed to enable all participating children to become proficient in English and a second language.

  (8) "State Approved Endorsement Program" or "SAEP" means a professional development plan on which a licensed Utah educator is working to obtain an endorsement.

  (9) "Student learning English" means an individual who:

  (a) who has sufficient difficulty speaking, reading, writing, or understanding the English language, and whose difficulties may deny the individual the opportunity to:

  (i) learn successfully in classrooms where the language of instruction is English; or

  (ii) participate fully in society;

  (b) who was not born in the United States or whose native language is a language other than English and who comes from an environment where a language other than English is dominant; or

  (c) who is an American Indian or Alaskan native or who is a native resident of the outlying areas and comes from an environment where a language other than English has had a significant impact on such individual's level of English language proficiency.

  (10) "TESOL" means Teachers of English to Speakers of Other Langages.

  (11) "TESOL Standards" mean the Pre-K-12 English Language Proficiency Standards established by TESOL International.

  (12) "Title III" means federal provisions for providing language instruction to students learning English and immigrant children and youth under 20 U.S.C. 6801, et seq.