DAR File No. 27211

Education, Administration

R277-522

Entry Years Enhancements (EYE) for Quality Teaching - Level 1 Utah Teachers

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 27211
Filed: 06/01/2004, 03:20
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide clarification of who is required to complete the EYE including Level 1 teachers employed or reemployed in the state and Level 1 teachers from out-of-state entering employment into the Utah public schools. Amendments are also made in the language to establish consistency in terminology and changes to other educator licensing rules.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments provide new definitions, new language in requirements, changes in terminology for consistency, and accreditation definition is broadened.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 53A-6-106

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There may be some cost to the state as teachers are required to complete an induction process. The cost to the state would be minimal.

local governments:

Again, perhaps some nominal costs to school districts in providing induction program and services. There may be some long-term savings in retaining teachers.

other persons:

There may be a cost of approximately $80 per individual as part of institutional requirements for license applicants to take the Praxis II test and for out-of-state applicants who have not taken any Praxis test.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There may be a cost of approximately $80 per individual as part of institutional requirements for license applicants to take the Praxis II test and for out-of-state applicants who have not taken any Praxis test.

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 to businesses. Patrick Ogden, Interim State Superintendent of Public Instruction

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

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 clear@usoe.k12.ut.us

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:

07/15/2004

This rule may become effective on:

07/16/2004

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Coordinator School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-522. Entry Years Enhancements (EYE) for Quality Teaching - Level 1 Utah Teachers.

R277-522-1. Definitions.

A. "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 R277-503-1L.

[A]B. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

[B]C. "Computer-Aided Credentials of Teachers in Utah Schools (CACTUS)" means a database that maintains public information on licensed Utah educators.

[C]D. "Educational Testing Services (ETS)" is an educational measurement institution that has developed standard-based teacher assessment tests.

[D]E. "Entry years" means the three years a beginning teacher holds a Level 1 license.

[E]F. "INTASC" means the Interstate New Teacher Assessment and Support Consortium, that has established Model Standards for Beginning Teacher Licensing and Development. The ten principles reflect what beginning teachers should know and be able to do as a professional teacher. The Board has adopted these principles as part of the NCATE standards.

[F]G. "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 ancillary requirements established by law or rule.

H. "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; and

(3) satisfaction of requirements under R277-522 for teachers employed after January 1, 2003.

I. "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 or an accredited private school.

[G]J. "Mentor" means a Level 2 or Level 3 educator, who is trained to advise and guide Level 1 teachers.

[H]K. ["NCATE" means the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education, that has established standards for teacher education programs and holds accredited institutions accountable for meeting these standards.

I. ]"Praxis II - Principles of Learning and Teaching" is a standards-based test provided by ETS and designed to assess a beginning teacher's pedagogical knowledge. This test is used by many states as part of their teacher licensing process. Colleges and universities use this test as an exit exam from teacher education programs.

[J]L. "Professional development" means locally or Board-approved education-related training or activities that enhance an educator's background consistent with R277-501, Educator License Renewal.

[K]M. "Teaching assessment/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.

[L]N. "Working portfolio" means a collection of documents prepared by a Level 1 teacher and used as a tool for evaluation.

[M]O. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

R277-522-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of the public school system under the Board; by Section 53A-9-103(5) which directs career ladder programs to include a program of evaluation and mentoring for beginning teachers designed to assist those beginning teachers in developing the skills required of capable teachers; Section 53A-6-102(2)(a)(iii) which finds that the implementation of progressive strategies regarding induction, professional development and evaluation are essential in creating successful teachers; Section 53A-6-106 which directs the Board to establish a rule for the training and experience required of license applicants for teaching; 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 outline required entry years enhancements of professional and emotional support for Level 1 teachers whose employment or reemployment in the Utah public schools began after January 1, 2003. The requirements apply to teachers during their first three years of teaching [to]and include mentoring, testing, assessment/evaluation, and developing a professional portfolio. The purpose of these enhancements is to develop in Level 1 teachers successful teaching skills and strategies with assistance from experienced colleagues.

R277-522-3. Required Entry Year Enhancements Requirements for a Level 1 Teacher to Advance to a Level 2 License.

A. Level 1 teachers shall satisfactorily collaborate with a trained mentor, pass a required pedagogical exam, complete three years of employment and evaluation, and compile a working portfolio.

[A]B. Collaboration with an assigned mentor:

(1) [Assignment of a mentor]A mentor shall be assigned to each Level 1 teacher in the first semester of teaching:

(a) [Each]The beginning teacher shall be assigned a trained mentor teacher by the principal to supervise and act as a resource for the entry level teacher.

(b) The mentor teacher shall teach in the same school, and where feasible, in the same subject area as the Level 1 teacher.

(2) Qualification of a mentor:

(a) A mentor shall hold a Utah Professional Educator's Level 2 or 3 license;

(b) A mentor shall have completed a mentor training program including continuing professional development.

(3) A mentor shall:

(a) guide Level 1 teachers to meet the procedural demands of the school and school district;

(b) provide moral and emotional support;

(c) arrange for opportunities for the Level 1 teacher to observe teachers who use various models of teaching;

(d) share personal knowledge and expertise about new materials, planning strategies, curriculum development and teaching methods;

(e) assist the Level 1 teacher with classroom management and discipline;

(f) [supervise]support Level 1 teachers on an ongoing basis;

(g) help Level 1 teachers understand the implications of student diversity for teaching and learning;

(h) engage the Level 1 teacher in self-assessment and reflection; and

(i) assist with development of Level 1 teacher's portfolio.

[B]C. Passage of a pedagogical examination:

(1) The Praxis II - Principles of Learning and Teaching[ shall]

(a) shall be administered by ETS;

(b) [require]shall be taken by the beginning teacher; the beginning teacher shall earn a qualifying score of at least 160;

(c) [be taken only once a year]may be taken successive times.

(2) [Scores]Results shall be posted on CACTUS.

[C]D. Successful evaluation under a school district [level]employment and assessment/evaluation program:

(1) Teachers shall be fully employed for three years in Utah public schools or in accredited private schools.

(2) Employing school districts may, following evaluation of the individual's experience, determine that teaching experience outside of the Utah public schools satisfies the teaching/experience requirement of this rule.

(3) The school district has discretion in determining the employment or reemployment status of individuals.

([1]4) Employing school districts shall be responsible for the evaluation; this duty may be assigned to the school principal.

([2]5) The assessment/evaluation shall take place at least twice during the first year of teaching and at least twice during each of the following two years with a satisfactory final evaluation.

[D]E. Compilation of a working portfolio:

(1) The portfolio shall be [received]reviewed and evaluated by the employing school district.

(2) [and ]the portfolio may be reviewed by USOE staff[ on a random sampling basis or] upon request during the Level 1 teacher's second year of teaching.

([2]3) the portfolio shall be based upon INTASC principles; and may:

(a) include teaching artifacts;

(b) include notations explaining the artifacts; and

(c) include a reflection and self-assessment of his or her own practice; or

(d) be interpreted broadly to include the employing school district's requirement of samples of the first year teaching experience.

R277-522-4. Satisfaction of Entry Years Enhancements.

A. If a Level 1 teacher fails to complete all enhancements as enumerated in this rule, the Level 1 teacher shall remain in a provisional employment status until the Level 1 teacher completes the enhancements.

(1) The school district may make a written request to the USOE Educator Licensing Section for a one year extension of the Level 1 license in order to provide time [to]for the educator to satisfy entry years enhancements.

(2) The Level 1 teacher may repeat some or all of the entry years enhancements.

(3) An opportunity to repeat or appeal an incomplete or unsatisfactory entry years enhancements process shall be designed and offered by the employing school district.

B. Recommendation for a Level 2 license:

(1) Each school district shall make an annual recommendation to the Board of teachers approved in its schools to receive a Level 2 license, including documentation demonstrating completion of the enhancements.

(2) The names of teachers who did not successfully complete entry years enhancements [shall]may also be reported to the Board annually by school districts.

C. The Board shall receive an annual report tracking the success of retention and the job satisfaction of Utah educators who complete the entry years enhancement program.

KEY: teachers

[November 4, 2002]2004

Art X Sec 3

53A-9-103(5)

53A-6-102(a)(iii)

53A-6-106

53A-1-401(3)

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at clear@usoe.k12.ut.us

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.