S.B. 48

1

TEACHER LICENSING BY COMPETENCY
2 AMENDMENTS
3 2009 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: D. Chris Buttars
6 House Sponsor: Curtis Oda
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This bill modifies procedures for obtaining a competency-based license to teach.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . provides that a person may obtain a competency-based license to teach if the person:
14 . files an application with the State Board of Education;
15 . pays the application fee;
16 . has not had a license issued by the State Board of Education revoked,
17 suspended, or surrendered;
18 . successfully completes a criminal background check;
19 . has certain educational degrees or certification; and
20 . demonstrates competency in a subject area by passing a test or completing
21 certain course work or has particular skills, talents, and abilities.
22 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
23 None
24 Other Special Clauses:
25 None
26 Utah Code Sections Affected:
27 AMENDS:

28 53A-6-104.5, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2004, Chapter 19
29
30 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
31 Section 1. Section 53A-6-104.5 is amended to read:
32 53A-6-104.5. Licensing by competency.
33 (1) A competency-based license to teach may be issued based on the demonstrated
34 competence of a teacher as provided in this section.
35 (2) [A local school board or charter school may request, and the] The State Board of
36 Education shall grant[, upon receipt of documentation from the local school board or charter
37 school verifying the person's qualifications as specified in this section,] a competency-based
38 license to a person who:
39 (a) files an application with the board on the form prescribed by the board;
40 (b) pays the fee required by Section 53A-6-105 ;
41 (c) has not had a license revoked, suspended, or surrendered;
42 (d) successfully completes a criminal background check as required by Section
43 53A-6-401 ; and
44 (e) meets the qualifications specified in this section [and Section 53A-6-401 ].
45 (3) (a) A [local school board or charter school] person may request a
46 competency-based license to teach one or more core academic subjects at the elementary
47 school level if the [candidate meets the following qualifications] person:
48 [(a) a license candidate who teaches one or more core academic subjects in an
49 elementary school shall:]
50 (i) [hold] holds at least a bachelor's degree; and
51 (ii) [have] has demonstrated, by passing a rigorous state test, subject knowledge and
52 teaching skills in reading, writing, mathematics, and other areas of the basic elementary school
53 curriculum[;].
54 (b) [a license candidate who teaches one or more] A person may request a
55 competency-based license to teach a core academic [subjects in] subject at a middle or
56 secondary school [shall] level if the person:
57 (i) [hold] holds at least a bachelor's degree; and
58 (ii) [have] has demonstrated a high level of competency in [each of] the academic

59 [subjects in which the teacher teaches] subject by:
60 (A) passing a rigorous state academic subject test [in each of the academic subjects in
61 which the teacher teaches]; or
62 (B) successful completion[, in each of the academic subjects in which the teacher
63 teaches,] of an academic major, a graduate degree, course work equivalent to an undergraduate
64 academic major, or advanced certification or credentialing[; or].
65 (c) [a license candidate who teaches subjects] A person may obtain a
66 competency-based license to teach a subject other than a core academic subject [in] at an
67 elementary, middle, or high school [shall] level if the person:
68 (i) [hold] has a bachelor's degree, associate's degree, or skill certification; and
69 (ii) [have] has skills, talents, or abilities[, as evaluated by the employing entity,] that
70 make the person suited for the teaching position.
71 (d) The State Board of Education shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G,
72 Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, that specifies standards and procedures for
73 determining if a person who applies for a competency-based license to teach a subject other
74 than a core academic subject has the skills, talents, or abilities suited for the teaching position.
75 (4) A school district or charter school:
76 (a) shall monitor and assess the performance of each teacher holding a
77 competency-based license; and
78 (b) may recommend that the competency-based license holder's training and
79 assessment be reviewed by the Utah State Office of Education for a level 1 license.




Legislative Review Note
as of 9-12-08 10:00 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel