USBE committee approves teacher preparation competencies after edits on wording and family language

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Licensure and Preparation Committee on May 15 approved draft general teacher preparation competencies (draft 1) as amended and forwarded them, by unanimous committee vote, to the full board for approval.

The committee approved the competencies and related edits to rule R277-304 on a unanimous vote after members adopted two substantive edits earlier in the discussion: an amendment to change CC2’s phrasing so students “respect and value each other” (adopted 4–1), and a change to wording in the instructional and professional-responsibility sections to include the explicit term “parents” alongside families in two places (adopted 3–2). The committee then voted to forward draft 1, as amended, and the R277-304 rule changes to the board for the required second and final reading.

Those competencies are intended to set the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviors required to obtain a professional teaching license in Utah. Malia Haidt, executive coordinator of educator licensing, told the committee that the documents are “the minimum standards to obtain a professional license” and are…