DAR File No. 31833

Education, Administration

R277-506

School Psychologists and School Social Workers Licenses and Program

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 31833
Filed: 08/14/2008, 03:46
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to re-include the school counselor license requirements that were previously in this rule and were removed and placed in a different rule. It has since been determined that the most appropriate place for these requirements is in this rule.

Summary of the rule or change:

The changes include adding a new Section R277-506-5 on School Counselors and adding school counselor appropriately throughout the rule as necessary.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsections 53A-1-402(1)(a) and 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. The changes simply move school counselor license requirement language from another rule to this rule.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. The requirements have not changed, only the location of the requirements into this rule.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses and persons other than businesses. The changes related to school counselor license requirements in public schools.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. The requirements have not changed, only the location of the requirements.

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. Patti Harrington, 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:

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:

10/01/2008

This rule may become effective on:

10/08/2008

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-506. School Psychologists[ and], School Social Workers, and School Counselors Licenses and Programs.

R277-506-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Sections 53A-1-402(1)(a) which requires the Board to make rules regarding the qualification and certification of educators and ancillary personnel who provide direct student services, 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:

(1) the standards for obtaining licenses issued by the Board for employment in the public schools as school psychologists, [and ]school social workers, and school counselors; and

(2) the standards which shall be met by a post-secondary institution in order to receive Board approval of its program for school psychologists[ and], school social workers, and school counselors.

 

R277-506-5. School Counselors.

There are three levels of licensure for a K-12 school counselor:

A. School Counselor Professional Educator License Level 1 is a license issued:

(1) upon completion of an accredited counselor education program; or

(2) to persons applying for licensure under interstate agreements.

(3) This license is issued to counselors who are beginning their professional careers who have completed an approved 600 hour field experience (400 hours if the applicant has completed two or more years of successful teaching experience as approved by USOE licensing).

B. School Counselor Professional Educator License Level 2 is:

(1) a license issued after satisfaction of all requirements for a Level 1 license and 3 years of successful experience as a school counselor in an accredited school in Utah; and

(2) is valid for five years.

C. Counseling Intern Temporary License is based on written recommendation from a USOE accredited program that a candidate:

(1) is currently enrolled in the program;

(2) has completed 30 semester hours of course work, including successful completion of a practicum; and

(3) has skills to work in a school as an intern with supervision from the school setting and from the counselor education program.

(a) Letters from the accredited program recommending eligible candidates shall be submitted to USOE at the beginning of each school year.

(b) The Counseling Intern Temporary License is valid for the current year only and is not renewable.

 

KEY: educational program evaluations, professional competency, educator licensing

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 11, 2006]2008

Notice of Continuation: September 6, 2007

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-402(1)(a); 53A-6-103; 53A-1-401(3)