ARC 6680C

ARC 6680C

EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS BOARD[282]

Notice of Intended Action

Proposing rule making related to requirements for licenses and authorizations

and providing an opportunity for public comment

The Educational Examiners Board hereby proposes to amend Chapter 13, "Issuance of Teacher Licenses and Endorsements," Chapter 22, "Authorizations," and Chapter 27, "Issuance of Professional Service Licenses," Iowa Administrative Code.

Legal Authority for Rule Making

This rule making is proposed under the authority provided in Iowa Code section 272.2.

State or Federal Law Implemented

This rule making implements, in whole or in part, Iowa Code section 272.2.

Purpose and Summary

This proposed rule making would allow out-of-country applicants to be exempt from Praxis testing if they hold a license in another country or a degree in education, would allow candidates with a master's degree or higher to obtain a content specialist authorization, and would change the requirements for a Class G license to 75 percent of coursework completion.

Fiscal Impact

This rule making has no fiscal impact to the State of Iowa.

Jobs Impact

After analysis and review of this rule making, no impact on jobs has been found.

Waivers

Any person who believes that the application of the discretionary provisions of this rule making would result in hardship or injustice to that person may petition the Board for a waiver of the discretionary provisions, if any, pursuant to 282—Chapter 6.

Public Comment

Any interested person may submit written comments concerning this proposed rule making. Written comments in response to this rule making must be received by the Board no later than 4:30 p.m.on December 6, 2022. Comments should be directed to:

Public Hearing

A public hearing at which persons may present their views orally or in writing will be held as follows:

Persons who wish to make oral comments at the public hearing may be asked to state their names for the record and to confine their remarks to the subject of this proposed rule making.

Any persons who intend to attend the public hearing and have special requirements, such as those related to hearing or mobility impairments, should contact the Board and advise of specific needs.

Review by Administrative Rules Review Committee

The Administrative Rules Review Committee, a bipartisan legislative committee which oversees rule making by executive branch agencies, may, on its own motion or on written request by any individual or group, review this rule making at its regular monthly meeting or at a special meeting. The Committee's meetings are open to the public, and interested persons may be heard as provided in Iowa Code section 17A.8(6).

The following rule-making actions are proposed:

Item 1. Amend subrule 13.5(3) as follows:

13.5(3) Applicants from foreign institutions. An applicant for initial licensure whose preparation was completed in a foreign institution must additionally obtain a course-by-course credential evaluation report completed by one of the board-approved credential evaluation services and then file this report with the Iowa board of educational examiners for a determination of eligibility for licensure. After receiving the notification of eligibility by the Iowa board of educational examiners, the applicant must provide verification of successfully passing the Iowa-mandated assessment(s) by meeting the minimum score set by the Iowa department of education. If the applicant submits a teaching credential from another country or a credential evaluation report that verifies the completion of a full teacher preparation program from an accredited institution, the testing requirement may be waived.

Item 2. Adopt the following new rule 282—22.15(272):

282—22.15(272) Content specialist authorization.

22.15(1) Authorization. This authorization is provided to applicants who have not completed a teacher preparation program but who hold a master's degree or higher in an endorsement area.

22.15(2) Application process. Any person interested in the content specialist authorization shall submit an application to the board of educational examiners for an evaluation. Application materials are available from the office of the board of educational examiners online at www.boee.iowa.gov.Degrees and semester hour credits shall be completed through a college or university accredited by an institutional accrediting agency as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

22.15(3) Specific requirements for the initial content specialist authorization.

a. The applicant must have completed a master's degree or higher in an endorsement area through a college or university accredited by an institutional accrediting agency as recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.

b. Background check. The applicant must complete the background check requirements set forth in rule 282—13.1(272).

c. The applicant must obtain a recommendation from a school district administrator verifying that the school district wishes to hire the applicant. Before the applicant is hired, the school district administrator must verify that a diligent search was completed to hire a fully licensed teacher for the position.

d. During the term of the authorization, the applicant must complete board-approved training in the following:

(1)Methods and techniques of teaching. Develop skills to use a variety of learning strategies that encourage students' development of critical thinking, problem solving, and performance skills. The methods course must include specific methods and techniques of teaching a foreign language and must be appropriate for the level of endorsement.

(2)Curriculum development. Develop an understanding of how students differ in their approaches to learning and create learning opportunities that are equitable and adaptable to diverse learners.

(3)Measurement and evaluation of programs and students. Develop skills to use a variety of authentic assessments to measure student progress.

(4)Classroom management. Develop an understanding of individual and group motivation and behavior which creates a learning environment that encourages positive social interactions, active engagement in learning, and self-motivation.

(5)Code of ethics. Develop an understanding of how to foster relationships with parents, school colleagues, and organizations in the larger community to support students' learning and development and become aware of the board's rules of professional practice and code of ethics.

(6)Human relations. Develop an understanding of diverse groups found in a pluralistic society, including students from diverse ethnic, racial, and socioeconomic backgrounds; students with disabilities and the gifted and talented; students who are struggling with literacy including those with dyslexia; students who are English learners; and students who are at risk of not succeeding in school.

e. The applicant must be assigned a mentor by the hiring school district. The mentor must have four years of teaching experience in a related subject area.

22.15(4) Validity—initial authorization. The initial content specialist authorization is valid for three years.

22.15(5) Renewal. The initial content specialist authorization may be renewed once if the candidate can demonstrate that coursework progress has been made.

22.15(6) Conversion. The initial content specialist authorization may be converted to a content specialist authorization if the applicant has completed the required coursework set forth in paragraph 22.15(3)"d."

22.15(7) Specific requirements for the content specialist authorization.

a. This authorization is valid for five years.

b. An applicant for this authorization must first meet the requirements for the initial content specialist authorization.

c. Renewal requirements for the content specialist authorization. Applicants for renewal must meet the requirements set forth in 282—subrule 20.5(1) and 282—paragraphs 20.5(2)"a" through "d."

22.15(8) Revocation and suspension. Criteria of professional practice and rules of the board of educational examiners shall be applicable to the holders of the initial career and technical secondary authorization or the career and technical secondary authorization. If a school district hires an applicant without a valid license or authorization, a complaint may be filed against the teacher and the superintendent of the school district.

Item 3. Amend paragraph 27.2(5)"c" as follows:

c. Verification that the individual has completed at least 75 percent of the coursework and competencies required prior to the practicum or internship.