DAR File No. 38242

Education, Administration

Rule R277-528

Use of Public Education Job Enhancement Program (PEJEP) Funds

Notice of Proposed Rule

(New Rule)

DAR File No.: 38242
Filed: 01/15/2014 05:26:55 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

S.B. 28, Boards and Commissions Amendments, from the 2013 General Legislative Session, moved the Public Education Job Enhancement Program (PEJEP) Committee's rulemaking authority from the PEJEP Committee (which was repealed) to the Utah State Board of Education. The new rule provides procedures and criteria for remaining PEJEP funds, consistent with the intent of the Program. (DAR NOTE: The proposed repeal of Rule R690-100 is under DAR No. 38243 in this issue, February 1, 2014, of the Bulletin.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The rule provides definitions, procedures, and criteria for the use of existing PEJEP funds.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)
• Subsection 53A-1a-601(3)(c)(2)
• Subsection 53A-1a-601(5)(b)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This new rule provides procedures and criteria for remaining PEJEP funds which likely will not result in a cost or savings to the state budget.

local governments:

This new rule provides procedures and criteria for remaining PEJEP funds which likely will not result in a cost or savings to local government.

small businesses:

This new rule provides procedures and criteria for remaining PEJEP funds which likely will not result in a cost or savings to small businesses.

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

This new rule provides procedures and criteria for remaining PEJEP funds which likely will not result in a cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This new rule provides procedures and criteria for remaining PEJEP funds which likely will not result in any compliance costs.

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

I have reviewed this rule and there is likely no fiscal impact on businesses.

Martell Menlove, 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:

03/03/2014

This rule may become effective on:

03/10/2014

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-528. Use of Public Education Job Enhancement Program (PEJEP) Funds.

R277-528-1. Definitions.

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

B. "Council for Accreditation of Educator Preparation (CAEP)" is a nationally recognized organization which provides accreditation of professional teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the preparation of K-12 teachers.

C. "National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education (NCATE)" is a nationally recognized organization which accredits the education units providing baccalaureate and graduate degree programs for the preparation of teachers and other professional personnel for elementary and secondary schools.

D. "PEJEP awards" means awards granted to eligible PEJEP participants that satisfy the purposes of the original PEJEP funding and USOE documentation requirements.

E. "Public Education Job Enhancement Program (PEJEP)" means a program authorized under Section 53A-la-601(2).

F. "Teacher Education Accreditation Council (TEAC)" is a nationally recognized organization which provides accreditation of professional teacher education programs in institutions offering baccalaureate and graduate degrees for the preparation of K-12 teachers.

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

 

R277-528-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. The rule is authorized by Article X, Section 3 of the Utah Constitution, which places general control and supervision of the public schools under the Board; Section 53A-la-601(3)(c)(2) which requires the Board to make a rule that provides for repayment of a portion of the initial payment by the teacher if the teacher fails to complete the Program with exceptions; Section 53A-1a-601(5)(b) which directs the Board to develop criteria for PEJEP awards; 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 provide standards and procedures for ongoing participation in PEJEP.

 

R277-528-3. PEJEP Participants.

A. PEJEP participants shall commit to required courses for advanced degrees and endorsements consistent with Section 53A-1a-601(2).

B. Qualified Utah institutions of higher education shall be reimbursed for the tuition for eligible PEJEP participants.

C. PEJEP participants shall receive textbook reimbursements directly.

D. PEJEP participants shall provide documentation annually, by October 1, to the USOE, demonstrating full-time employment as educators during the previous school year.

E. If a PEJEP participant changes employers, leaves public education, or moves from the state, he shall notify the USOE immediately. The USOE may require repayment or partial repayment, consistent with Section 53A-1a-601(3)(c)(ii).

F. PEJEP participants shall notify the USOE of the participants' satisfaction of their teaching commitment at the conclusion of their Program.

 

R277-528-4. University Program Eligibility.

A. A Utah higher education institution (university) program that provides licensure and endorsements in areas outlined in Section 53A-1a-601(2) shall be eligible to receive tuition reimbursement for eligible PEJEP participants.

B. University endorsement or education programs that desire to enroll PEJEP participants shall meet the following minimum requirements:

(1) provide documentation to the USOE of university program accreditation by NCATE/TEAC/CAEP;

(2) provide to the USOE an overview of the university endorsement program including:

(a) program requirements and eligibility standards for participants;

(b) a screening process for prospective participants;

(c) course syllabi; and

(d) a yearly evaluation of the program.

C. The USOE may determine the eligibility of university programs on an annual basis.

D. The USOE shall reimburse tuition directly to university programs for PEJEP participants.

 

R277-528-5. Evaluation.

A. The USOE shall maintain records of PEJEP award participants.

B. The USOE shall prepare an annual report for the Board that demonstrates use of PEJEP funding consistent with the intent of original PEJEP legislation.

 

KEY: educators, awards

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2014

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: 53A-1a-601; 53A-1-401(3)