NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Creating Conditions for Learning So All Students Can Succeed

NORTH SANPETE SCHOOL DISTRICT

Creating Conditions for Learning So All Students Can Succeed

Lucky Duck Recipients

IV-14: Licensure Policy


North Sanpete School District
Statement of…………………….

Board Policy With Guidelines 

Policy Number: IV-14
Effective Date: 12/16/82
Revised Date: 08/18/2020


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Subject: Licensure of Certified Employees (formerly “Certification Policy”)


BOARD POLICY


Personnel Credentials General—


Personnel shall possess and maintain valid credentials, including required licensure and certification, before contracts are issued, duties are assigned, or payment is made from any source of funds. Any such failure will render a contract with the Board void.

Certified Employees General—

Unless an express exception exists under law or under the rules of the Utah State Board of Education, to be employed in the District in a capacity covered by the following license areas of concentration, a person shall hold a valid license issued by the Utah State Board of Education in the respective license areas of concentration:


  1. Early Childhood;
  2. Elementary;
  3. Secondary;
  4. Educational Leadership;
  5. Career and Technical Education or “CTE”;
  6. School Counselor;
  7. School Psychologist;
  8. Special Education;
  9. Preschool Special Education;
  10. Deaf Education;
  11. Speech-Language Pathologist;
  12. Speech-Language Technician;
  13. School Social Worker; and
  14. Communication Disorders.


Utah Admin. Rules R277-301-2(76)(a) (December 10, 2018July 8, 2020)

Utah Admin. Rules R277-301-3(43) (December 10, 2018July 8, 2020)


Health Care Providers—


School health care providers, including physicians and nurses, shall maintain appropriate licensure from the State of Utah.

LEA Specific—


The purpose of this policy is to identify NSSD-LEA-Specific licensing/endorsement requirements pursuant to the conditions outlined in Utah Administrative Rule R277-301.


The following procedures are established to identify qualification requirements and guidelines for the issuance of NSSD-LEA-Specific licensing and endorsements.


Educator License/Endorsement Requirements.


NSSD-LEA-Specific License Eligibility Criteria. All applicants must:

  • Complete a bachelor's or higher degree in a related field of study; or have exceptional or specialized occupational experience, training, or expertise directly related to the area of assignment; and,
  • Complete a criminal background check including review of any criminal offenses and clearance in accordance with Rule R277-214; and,
  • Complete the educator ethics review described in Rule R277-500 within one calendar year prior to the application; and,
  • Complete the following USBE Professional Learning Modules:
  • Educator ethics;
  • Classroom management and instruction;
  • Basic special education law and instruction; and
  • Utah Effective Teaching Standards described in R277-530.


NSSD-LEA-Specific Endorsement Eligibility Criteria:

  • This authorization is issued for a temporary period upon request from a District administrator for a licensed teacher (LEA, Associate, or Professional) who is not endorsed in the area of assignment.


Approval:


The application must receive approval from the NSSD Board of Education in a public meeting no more than 60 days prior to submitting the application to the State Board of Education for an LEA License and include:

  • Rationale for the appointment of a NSSD-LEA-Specific License or endorsement.
  • Verification that there is an inadequate supply of highly qualified and suitable licensed applicants in the license and endorsement area as demonstrated by posting the position for a reasonable period of not less than one week. (Not required for less than half-time [<.5 FTE] applicants)
  • Include an Associate Licensing Plan where applicable.


Applicants placed on a NSSD-LEA-Specific licenses serve under temporary (at-will) employment agreements subject to termination at any time at the sole discretion of the North Sanpete School District.

A NSSD-LEA-Specific License, license area, or endorsement is valid for up to three years subject to demonstration of adequate progress consistent with the Associate Licensing Plan, successfully putting into effect guidance from the Instructional Coach, and the observations / recommendations of administration. After three years renewal of the license is subject to the approval or denial of the State Board of Education.

A NSSD-LEA-Specific license expires immediately if the educator's employment with the District ends and the educator is not rehired as an educator in the next contract year.


The District is not authorized to provide an LEA-specific educator license in the area of:

  • Special Education; or
  • Preschool Special Education.


NSSD-LEA-Specific License Mentoring/Learning Coach Program for pedagogical support.


The NSSD-LEA-Specific License incumbent must participate in the following Mentoring Program:


The District shall provide mentoring program by a trained mentor educator who:

  • holds a professional educator license; and
  • is assigned as an instructional coach or equivalent position


A District Mentor/Instructional Coach will not evaluate the educator; however, all employees to include Learning Coaches must promptly report educator misconduct in violation of the District’s Code of Conduct found in Policy IV-23.


An Instructional Coach will help the NSSD-LEA-Specific Educator meet the Utah Effective Educator Standards established in Rule R277-530 by:

  • Assisting the educator with a Professional Growth Plan (PGP).
  • Ensuring that the educator has a Professional Learning Plan (PLP)
  • Working on educational strategies drawn from the Personalized Learning Playbook.
  • Meeting regularly with the educator for coaching observations and feedback.
  • Documenting those meetings with a Collaborative Assessment Log (CAL).
  • Reflecting at a Mid-Year Review (MYR).
  • Reflecting, reviewing, and reassessing at an End-of-Year Review (EOYR).


The Applicant and the District will jointly develop an Associate Licensing Plan to:

  • Encourage transition from a NSSD-LEA-Specific to a Professional License.
  • Identify applicable educational, skill, and/or content knowledge requirements for enrollment in a qualified educator preparation program.
  • Identify paths and opportunities to prepare for successful passage of a pedagogical performance assessment.
  • Develop significant competency and knowledge sufficient to justify an extension request from the Utah State Board of Education for a continued NSSD-LEA-Specific License if transition to an Associate License is not reasonable or applicable.


 The District shall post percent of LEA-specific licenses, license areas, or endorsements on each school's website.



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