DAB

Employment:

Licensure—LEA Specific Educator Licenses

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY 
2. APPLICATION 
3. EXPIRATION 
4. REQUIREMENTS 
5. EDUCATOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT 
6. LICENSE AND ENDORSEMENT AREAS 
7. DISTRICT MENTORING PROGRAM 
8. NOTICE 

1. PURPOSE AND PHILOSOPHY 

1.1.  Under UTAH CODE ANN. § 53E-6-201, an individual employed in a position that requires licensure by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) must hold the license appropriate to that position. The USBE has designated the following licenses: (1) associate educator license; (2) professional educator license, and (3) LEA-specific educator license. LEA means Local Education Agency. 

1.1.1.  Individuals who follow the traditional route of attending an educator preparation program, receiving a degree in education, and attaining what was formerly a level 1, 2, or 3 license by the USBE are now issued a professional educator license. 

1.1.2.  Individuals who have a bachelor’s degree or higher, or who are enrolled in an educator preparation program that will result in a bachelor’s degree or higher, or who have a skill certification in a specific CTE area as established by the USBE, may now be issued an associate educator license upon satisfaction of USBE requirements.  An associate educator license is valid for two years (with a possible one-year extension) and may be upgraded to a professional educator license in accordance with Utah law. 

1.1.3.  An individual who does not meet the criteria for a professional or associate educator license but meets the criteria set forth in this policy may be issued an LEA-specific educator license, license area, or endorsement. An LEA-specific license, license area, or endorsement is valid only within Wayne County School District. As used in this policy, the term “LEA- specific license” means an LEA-specific educator license, license area, or endorsement.

1.2.  Requirements for a professional educator license and an associate educator license are found in UTAH ADMIN. CODE R277-301. Consistent with that law, this policy identifies requirements for a Wayne County School District LEA-specific license. 

2. APPLICATION 

2.1.  An individual for whom an LEA-specific license is sought is referred to in this policy as a candidate. A candidate may be a current employee seeking an LEA-specific license in a new area of concentration or an individual not yet employed by the District. 

2.2.  An LEA-specific license is issued by the USBE. A request for an LEA-specific license must be made to the USBE by the District on behalf of the candidate. 

2.3.  If the candidate satisfies the requirements of Section 4, district administration will submit a request to Wayne County School District Board of Education (Board) for approval. 

2.4.  The application must receive approval from the Board in a public meeting no more than 60 days before it is submitted to the USBE. The request for Board approval must include the rationale for the appointment of an LEA-specific license and must demonstrate an inadequate supply of highly qualified licensed/endorsed applicants in the license/endorsement area. Evidence may be gathered by posting the position for a reasonable period. 

3. EXPIRATION 

3.1.  An LEA-specific license or endorsement is valid for three years; thereafter the renewal of the license is subject to the approval or denial by the USBE. 

3.2.  An LEA-specific license expires immediately if the educator's employment with the District ends. 

4. REQUIREMENTS 

4.1.  An LEA-specific license must include general, content knowledge, and pedagogical requirements. 

4.2.  An educator license must include at least one area of concentration. 

4.3.  A candidate for an LEA-specific license must demonstrate pedagogical knowledge as determined by the interview/hiring committee. 

4.4.  A candidate must complete a criminal background check including review of any criminal offenses and clearance in accordance with UTAH ADMIN. CODE R277-214. 

4.5.  A candidate is not required to have a bachelor's degree; however, if the candidate does not have a bachelor’s degree the candidate must have at least six years of directly related professional experience within the 10 years prior to the application. 

5. EDUCATOR TRAINING AND SUPPORT 

5.1.  An employee with an LEA specific license must participate in the Wayne County School District Mentoring Program. 

5.2.  Within the first year of employment, the employee must complete the following training: 

6. LICENSE AND ENDORSEMENT AREAS 

6.1.  An LEA-specific license is limited to the following licensing areas: 

6.2.  The District is not authorized, unless special exceptions are authorized by USBE, to provide an LEA-specific educator license in the areas of special education or preschool special education.

7. DISTRICT MENTORING PROGRAM 

7.1.  For at least the first three (3) years of employment, the District shall provide a mentoring program to each employee with an LEA-specific license. The mentoring program shall include a trained mentor educator who holds a professional educator license and, where possible, 

7.2.  The mentor does not evaluate the educator; however, all employees, including mentors, must promptly report educator misconduct in violation of District policy. 

7.3.  The mentor will help the employee meet the Utah Effective Educator Standards found in UTAH ADMIN CODE. R277-530 by: 

7.4. The mentoring program shall include: 

8. NOTICE

8.1. Each school where an educator holding an LEA-specific license works shall post the following on its website: 

REFERENCES 

UTAH CODE ANN. § 53E-6-201. UTAH ADMIN. CODE R277-214. UTAH ADMIN. CODE R277-301. UTAH ADMIN. CODE R277-515.