Education, Administration

Rule R277-501

Educator Licensing Renewal and Timelines

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 33561
Filed: 04/15/2010 01:10:09 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide procedures for appropriate licensing consequences for educator license holders who do not respond to the Utah State Office of Educations (USOE) fingerprint background check requirement or directive in a timely manner.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments include expanding the title of the rule, adding new language in Section R277-501-6, Background Checks Required for Renewal, and adding a new Section R277-501-7, Board Directive to Educator License Holders for Fingerprint Background Check.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There may be minimal costs to the state budget for directives to have fingerprint background checks. Depending upon circumstances, the Utah State Board of Education/USOE may cover the costs of the background checks; those costs will be paid within existing budgets.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. These amendments are procedural and affect individual licensed educators and the criminal background check process.

small businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses. The amendments affect individual licensed educators and do not involve small businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. The amendments do affect individual licensed educators but are procedural.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Criminal background checks are a requirement of educator licensing. The amendments provide changes in the procedure as a result of a criminal background check or request for a criminal background check.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses.

Larry K. Shumway, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [email protected]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

05/31/2010

This rule may become effective on:

06/07/2010

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-501. Educator Licensing Renewal[ and], Timelines, and Required Fingerprint Background Checks.

R277-501-1. Definitions.

A. "Acceptable alternative professional development activities" means activities that do not fall within a specific category under R277-501-3 but are consistent with this rule.

B. "Accredited" means a teacher preparation program accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE), the Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC) or one of the major regional accrediting associations as defined under R277-503-1N.

C. "Accredited school" for purposes of this rule means a public or private school that has met standards considered to be essential for the operation of a quality school program and has had formal approval by the Northwest Association of Schools and Colleges.

D. "Active educator" for purposes of this rule means an individual holding a valid license issued by the Board who is employed by a Utah public or accredited private school in a role covered by the license or an individual who has taught successfully for three of the five years in the educator's renewal cycle in a Utah public or accredited private school.

E. "Active educator license" means a license that is currently valid for service in a position requiring a license.

F. "Approved professional development" means training or courses, approved by the USOE under R277-519-3, in which current educators or individuals who have previously received a license may participate to renew a license, teach in another subject area or teach at another grade level.

G. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

H. "College/university course" means a course taken through an institution approved under Section 53A-6-108. "University level course" means a course having the same academic rigor and requirements similar to a university/college course and taught by appropriately trained individuals.

I. "Course work successfully completed" for purposes of this rule means the student earns a grade C or better.

J. "Documentation of professional development activities" means:

(1) an original report card or student transcript for university/college courses;

(2) certificate of completion for an approved professional development, conference, workshop, institute, symposium, educational travel experience and staff development;

(3) summary, explanation, or copy of the product and supervisor's signature, if available, or complete documentation of professional development activities that support district and school policies and further academic pursuit or educational innovations of professional development activities. All agendas, work products, and certificates shall be maintained by the educator;

(4) an agenda or conference program demonstrating sessions and duration of professional development activities.

K. "Educational research" means conducting educational research or investigating education innovations.

L. "Inactive educator" means an individual holding a valid license issued by the Board who was employed by a Utah public or accredited private school in a role covered by the license for less than three years in the individual's renewal period.

M. "Inactive educator license" means a license, other than a surrendered, suspended or revoked license, that is currently not valid due to the holder's failure to complete requirements for license renewal.

N. "Level 1 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued upon completion of an approved preparation program or an alternative preparation program, or pursuant to an agreement under the NASDTEC Interstate Contract, to applicants who have also met all ancillary requirements established by law or rule.

O. "Level 2 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued after satisfaction of all requirements for a Level 1 license and:

(1) requirements established by law or rule;

(2) three years of successful education experience within a five-year period in a Utah public or accredited private school; and

(3) 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 or accredited private school.

P. "Level 3 license" means a Utah professional educator license issued to an educator who holds a current Utah Level 2 license and has also received National Board Certification or a doctorate in education or in a field related to a content area in a unit of the public education system.

Q. "License" means an authorization issued by the Board which permits the holder to serve in a professional capacity in a Utah school.

R. "NASDTEC" means the National Association of State Directors of Teacher Education and Certification. NASDTEC maintains an Educator Information Clearinghouse for its members regarding persons whose licenses have been suspended or revoked.

S. "National Board Certification" means the successful completion of the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) process, a three-year process, that may include national content-area assessment, an extensive portfolio, and assessment of video-taped classroom teaching experience.

T. "No Child Left Behind (NCLB) standards for highly qualified teachers" means that all teachers of Core academic subjects as defined under R277-510-1B, demonstrate adequate content knowledge of their teaching assignments as of July 1, 2006.

U. "Professional colleague" for purposes of this rule means a Utah Level 2 or 3 licensed educator who has adequate familiarity with the inactive educator's license area of concentration and endorsement(s).

V. "Professional development plan" means a document prepared by the educator consistent with this rule.

W. "Professional development points" means the points accumulated by a Utah license holder through activities approved under this rule for the purpose of satisfying requirements of Section 53A-6-104.

X. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

Y. "Verification of employment" means official documentation of employment as an educator.

 

R277-501-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Section 53A-6-104 which requires the Board to make rules requiring participation in professional development activities in order for educators to retain Utah licensure, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which permits the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to provide definitions and requirements for an educator to renew a Utah educator license. This rule requires verification of employment, development of a professional development plan and documentation of activities consistent with Section Title 53A, Chapter 6.

 

R277-501-3. Categories of Acceptable Activities for a Licensed Educator.

A. A college/university course:

(1) shall be successfully completed with a "C" or better, or a "pass."

(2) Each semester hour equals 18 license points; or

(3) Each quarter hour equals 12 license points.

B. Professional development:

(1) shall be state-approved under R277-519-3.

(2) may be requested from the USOE by:

(a) written request from a private provider on a form supplied by the USOE and received by the appropriate USOE subject specialist at least two weeks prior to the beginning date of the scheduled professional development, or

(b) a request submitted through the computerized professional development program connected to the USOE licensure system.

(i) The computerized process is available in most Utah school districts and area technology centers.

(ii) Such requests shall be made at least two weeks prior to the beginning of the scheduled professional development.

(3) Each clock hour of authorized professional development time equals one professional development point.

(4) The professional development shall be successfully completed through attendance and required project(s).

C. Conferences, workshops, institutes, symposia, educational travel experience or staff-development programs:

(1) Acceptable workshops and programs include those with prior written approval by the USOE, recognized professional associations, district supervisors, or school supervisors regardless of the source of sponsorship or funding.

(2) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of educational participation; license points may be limited to specific educational activities under R277-501-3C.

D. Content and pedagogy testing:

(1) Acceptable tests include those approved by the Board.

(2) 25 license points shall be awarded for each Board-approved test score report submitted.

(3) No more than two test score reports may be submitted in a license cycle for a maximum of 50 points.

(4) Each score report submitted shall have a different test number and title.

(5) The license renewal applicant is responsible for reporting of score test results. This information should be used by renewal applicants to design ongoing professional development.

E. Service in professional activities in an educational institution:

(1) Acceptable service includes that in which the license holder contributes to improving achievement in a school, district, or other educational institution, including planning and implementation of an improvement plan.

(2) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation.

(3) An inactive educator may earn professional development points by service in professional activities under the supervision of an active administrator.

F. Service in a leadership role in a national, state-wide or district recognized professional education organization:

(1) Acceptable service includes that in which the license holder assumes a leadership role in a professional education organization.

(2) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation with a maximum of 10 license points per year.

G. Educational research and innovation that results in a final, demonstrable product:

(1) Acceptable activities include conducting educational research or investigating educational innovations.

(2) This research activity shall follow school and district policy.

(3) An inactive educator may conduct research and receive professional development points on programs or issues approved by a practicing administrator.

(4) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation.

H. Acceptable alternative professional development activities:

(1) Acceptable activities are those that enhance or improve education yet may not fall into a specific category.

(2) These activities shall be approved by an educators's principal/supervisor or in the case of the inactive educator, a professional colleague, or a USOE or Utah school district specialist.

(3) One license point is awarded for each clock hour of participation.

I. Substituting in a Utah public or accredited private school may be an acceptable alternative professional development activity toward license renewal if the license holder is not an active educator as defined under R277-501-1D and is paid and authorized as a substitute. A substitute shall earn one point for every two hours of documented substitute time. Verification of hours shall be obtained from the employer or from the supervising principal. A license holder may earn up to 25 professional development points per year not to exceed a total of 50 points in a license cycle as a substitute.

J. A license-holder who instructs students in a professional or volunteer capacity in a Utah public or accredited private school may earn up to 25 professional development points per year not to exceed a total of 50 points in a license cycle. Paraprofessionals/volunteers may accrue one professional development point for every three hours of paraprofessional/volunteer service, as determined and verified by the building principal or supervisor.

K. Up to 50 license points may be earned in any one or any combination of categories E, F and G above.

 

R277-501-4. Required Renewal License Points for Designated License Holders.

A. Level 1, 2 and 3 license holders may accrue relicensure points beginning with the date of each new license renewal.

B. Level 1 license holder with no licensed educator experience.

(1) An educator desiring to retain active status shall earn at least 100 license points in each three year period.

C. Level 1 license holder with one year licensed educator experience in a Utah public or accredited private school within a three year period.

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 75 license points in each three year period; and

(2) any years taught shall have satisfactory evaluation(s).

D. Level 1 license holder with two years licensed educator experience in a Utah public or accredited private school within a three year period.

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 50 license points in each three year period; and

(2) Any years taught shall have satisfactory evaluation(s).

E. Level 1 license holder with three years licensed educator experience in a Utah public or accredited private school within a three year period.

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 25 professional development points in each three year period; and

(2) Any years taught shall have satisfactory evaluation(s).

F. An educator seeking a Level 2 license shall notify the USOE of completion of Level 2 license prerequisites consistent with R277-522, Entry Years Enhancements (EYE) for Quality Teaching - Level 1 Utah Teachers and R277-502, Educator Licensing and Data Retention.

G. Level 2 license holder:

(1) An active educator shall earn at least 95 license points within each five year period. License points shall be earned in activities defined under this rule that contribute to competence, performance, and effectiveness in the education profession.

(2) An inactive educator shall earn at least 200 license points within a five year period to maintain an active educator license.

(3) An inactive educator who works one year in a Utah public or accredited private school within a five year period shall earn 165 license points within a five year period to maintain an active educator license.

(4) An inactive educator who works two years in a Utah public or accredited private school within a five year period shall earn 130 license points within a five year period to maintain an active educator license.

(5) Credit for any year(s) taught requires satisfactory evaluation(s).

H. Level 3 license holder:

(1) A Level 3 license holder with National Board Certification shall meet the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards (NBPTS) requirements consistent with the NBPTS schedule available from the USOE Educator Licensure Section. A Level 3 license holder shall be responsible to provide verification of NBPTS status prior to the license holder's designated renewal date.

(2) A Level 3 license holder with a doctorate degree from a regionally accredited college or university in education or in a field related to a content area in a unit of the public education system and shall meet the active or inactive educator Level 2 license holder requirements within a seven year period.

(3) An educator seeking a Level 3 license shall notify the USOE of completion of Level 3 license requirements. Level 3 license criteria apply to the license holder as of the license holder's renewal date following the notification to the USOE.

I. Teachers seeking license renewal who do not meet NCLB standards for highly qualified teachers under R277-510 shall focus 95 of the 200 required professional development points in teaching assignments in which the teacher does not hold an appropriate major, major equivalent, or other NCLB highly qualified criteria.

 

R277-501-5. Renewal Timeline with Point Requirements for Educator Level 2 License Holders.

A. A Level 2 active educator whose license expires June 30 shall earn 95 license points during the educator's five year renewal period and shall provide verification of employment.

B. A Level 2 inactive educator whose license expires June 30 shall earn 200 license points during the educator's five year renewal period.

 

R277-501-6. Background Checks Required for Renewal.

A. A background check shall be required for the renewal of any Utah educator license beginning July 1, 2009 consistent with Section 53A-6-401. No license may be renewed until the completion of the background check and receipt and review of the report by the USOE.

B. Beginning no later than July 1, 2009, applicants for Utah educator license renewal shall submit fingerprints to the Utah Department of Public Safety consistent with procedures and scheduling developed and disseminated by the USOE in consultation with the Utah Department of Public Safety.

C. No later than July 1, 2009, the USOE shall provide to the Utah Department of Public Safety a list of licensed Utah educators including dates of birth, social security numbers, and other necessary demographic information to be determined between the USOE and the Utah Department of Public Safety.

D. If an educator license holder's criminal background check is incomplete or under review by the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC), the educator license holder's license shall be in a pending status until the process is concluded. The educator license holder's CACTUS file will show a dialog box directing the reviewer of the file to the USOE for further information. An educator license in a pending status cannot be renewed until the background check process is complete.

 

R277-501-7. Board Directive to Educator License Holders for Fingerprint Background Check.

A. The USOE may direct a Utah educator license holder to have a criminal fingerprint background check under Section 53A-6-104 for good cause shown.

B. If an educator license holder fails to comply with the directive in a reasonable time, following reasonable notice and adequate due process, the educator license holder's license may be put into a pending status subject to the educator license holder's compliance with the Board's directive.

C. The Board or its designee may review an educator license holder's compliance with the directive prior to the final decision about the educator license holder's license status.

 

R277-501-[7]8. Miscellaneous Renewal Information.

A. A licensed educator shall develop and maintain a professional development plan. The plan:

(1) shall be based on the educator's professional goals and current or anticipated assignment,

(2) shall take into account the goals and priorities of the school/district,

(3) shall be consistent with federal and state laws and district policies, and

(4) may be adjusted as circumstances change.

(5) shall be reviewed and signed by the educator's supervisor or a professional colleague designated by the building administrator.

B. If an educator is not employed in a Utah public or accredited private school at the renewal date, the educator shall review the plan and documentation with a professional colleague who may sign the professional development plan and USOE verification form. The verification form signed by the professional colleague shall be provided to the USOE between January 1 and June 30 of the renewal year.

C. Each Utah license holder shall be responsible for maintaining a professional development plan.

(1) It is the educator's responsibility to retain copies of complete documentation of professional development activities with appropriate signatures.

(2) The professional development documentation shall be retained by the educator for a minimum of two renewal cycles.

D. The "Verification for License Renewal" form shall be submitted to the USOE Licensing Section, 250 East 500 South, P.O. Box 144200, Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200 between January 1 and June 30 of the educator's assigned renewal year.

(1) Forms submitted by mail that are not complete or do not bear original signatures shall not be processed.

(2) Failure to submit the verification form consistent with deadlines shall result in beginning anew the administrative licensure process, including all attendant fees and criminal background checks.

(3) The USOE may, at its own discretion, review or audit verification for license renewal forms or educator license renewal folders or records.

E. License holders may begin to acquire professional development points under this rule on the date identified on the license as the date of licensure.

F. This rule does not explain criteria or provide credit standards for state approved professional development programs. That information is provided in R277-519.

G. Credit for district lane changes or other purposes is determined by a school district and is awarded at a school district's discretion. Professional development points should not be assumed to be credit for school district purposes, such as salary or lane change credit.

H. A renewal fee set by the USOE shall be charged to educators who seek renewal from an inactive status or to make level changes. Educators with active licenses shall be charged a renewal fee consistent with R277-502.

I. The USOE may make exceptions to the provisions of this rule for unique and compelling circumstances.

(1) Exceptions may only be made consistent with the purposes of this rule and the authorizing statutes.

(2) Requests for exceptions shall be made in writing at least 30 days prior to the license holder's renewal date to the Coordinator of Educator Licensing, USOE.

(3) Approval or disapproval shall be made in a timely manner.

J. Licenses awarded under R277-521, Professional Specialist Licensing, are subject to renewal requirements under this rule.

(1) Specialists shall be considered licensed as of September 15, 1999 or at their official employment date, whichever is later.

(2) All specialists shall be considered Level 1, 2 or 3 license holders consistent with R277-521-3, 4 and 5.

(3) Years of work experience beginning September 15, 1999 count toward levels of licensure.

K. Consistent with Section 53A-6-104(2) and (4), an educator may comply with the professional development requirements of this rule by:

(1) satisfactory completion of the educator's employing school district's district-specific professional development plan; and

(2) submission by the employing school district of the names of educators who completed district-specific professional development plans; and

(3) submission of professional development information in a timely manner consistent with the educator's license renewal cycle; failure of timely notification by districts to the USOE may result in expiration of licenses and additional time and costs for relicensure.

L. Completion of relicensure requirements by an educator under R277-501-4 or R277-501-6K, may not satisfy HOUSSE requirements for highly qualified status under No Child Left Behind, as defined in R277-520.

M. Educators are individually responsible for tracking their renewal cycles and completing professional development in a timely manner.

 

KEY: educational program evaluations, educator license renewal

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [October 22, 2009]2010

Notice of Continuation: February 18, 2010

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-6-104; 53A-1-401(3)