Education, Administration

Rule R277-509

Licensure of Student Teachers and Interns

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 37059
Filed: 11/15/2012 03:26:23 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide necessary language requiring background checks for student teachers and interns and to provide minor terminology changes.

Summary of the rule or change:

Required background check information is added to the rule so it is clear that student teachers and interns must have necessary criminal background checks and must be cleared by the Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC) before they can work with students in the public schools.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-6-104(1)
• Subsection 53A-6-401(3)
• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. The changes to the rule clarify background check requirement language for student teachers and interns.

local governments:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to local government. This changes to this rule apply to student teachers and interns.

small businesses:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to small businesses. This rule and the amendments apply to public education and do not affect businesses.

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

Interns and student teachers have had background checks prior to working in public schools. The amendments make the requirements clear. There may be background check fees for student teachers and interns who have not had these checks. Costs are both nominal and speculative; it is unclear how many current and prospective interns and student teachers will be responsible for unexpected fees.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There may be background check fees for student teachers and interns who have not had background checks before they can be cleared by UPPAC and are able to work with students in the public schools. Costs are both nominal and speculative.

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 carol.lear@schools.utah.gov

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:

12/31/2012

This rule may become effective on:

01/07/2013

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-509. Licensure of Student Teachers and Interns.

R277-509-1. Definitions.

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

B. "Cooperating teacher" means a licensed teacher employed by a n [school district or charter school]LEA who is qualified to directly supervise a student teacher or intern during the period the student teacher or intern is assigned to the [district]LEA.

C. "Intern" means a teacher education student, who, in an advanced stage of preparation, usually as a culminating experience, may be employed in a school setting for a period of up to one year and receive salary proportionate to the service rendered. An intern is supervised primarily by the school system but with a continuing relationship with college personnel and following a planned program designed to produce a demonstrably competent professional.

D. "LEA" means a local education agency, including local school boards/public school districts, charter schools, and, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

[D]E. "Student teacher" means a college student preparing to teach who is assigned a period of guided teaching during which the student assumes increasing responsibility for directing the learning of a group or groups of students over a period of time.

 

R277-509-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized under Article X, Section 3 of the Utah Constitution which vests general authority and supervision of public education in the Board, Sections 53A-6-104(1) which permit the Board to issue licenses for educators, Section 53A-6-401(3) which directs the Utah State Office of Education to establish a procedure for obtaining and evaluating relevant information about license applicants, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to specify the procedure under which the Board issues licenses to student teachers and interns.

 

R277-509-3. Issuing Licenses.

A. The Board shall issue Student Teacher or Intern licenses to students enrolled in[approved] teacher preparation programs.

B. The Board shall provide a process for timely review by UPPAC of background check information and shall provide adequate due process for student teachers and interns in the licensing process.

(1) The Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC) shall receive and review background information about student teachers and interns.

(2) Student teachers and interns shall have student teacher licenses issued by the Board prior to assignment in public schools.

(3) UPPAC shall review student teacher license applications and make recommendations for their approval by the Board.

(4) UPPAC shall not recommend student teachers or interns to complete student teaching or intern assignments while student teachers or interns are under court supervision of any kind.

(5) Teacher preparation programs may allow student teachers or interns not approved by UPPAC to complete student teaching or intern hours only if the university provides a constant supervisor for the student teacher's or intern's work in the public schools.

[B]C. A license is issued only to student teachers or interns assigned to elementary, middle, or secondary schools under cooperating teachers for part of their preparation program. A supervising administrator must be permanently assigned to the building to which an intern is assigned.

[C]D. A Student Teacher or Intern license is valid only in the [school district or charter school]LEA specified and for the period of time indicated on the license.

 

R277-509-4. [ School District and Charter School ] LEA Requirements.

A. A n [school district or charter school]LEA may not accept or assign student teachers or interns who do not possess a Utah Student Teacher or Intern license. The service of persons so assigned is not recognized by the Board as fulfilling an intern or student teaching requirement for licensure.

B. It is the responsibility of the [school district or charter school]LEA to verify that potential student teachers or interns are appropriately licensed.

 

KEY: student teachers, interns, teacher preparation programs

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [ March 10, 2009 ] 2013

Notice of Continuation: October 5, 2012

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