The following must serve as standards for the renewal of
initial and professional licenses and master certificates and endorsements
thereon.
7.2
Professional Licenses
A professional teacher, special services, principal or
administrator license and endorsements may be renewed for a period of seven
years upon submission of a complete application for renewal, payment of the
required fee and completion of professional development activities that meet
the requirements of this section 7.02. To be eligible to renew a professional
license, the holder must complete such activities within the period of time for
which the professional license is valid or, if expired, within the seven years
immediately preceding the date of application. An applicant for renewal must
meet the following requirements:
7.02(1) Professional development activities:
An educator requesting license renewal must complete professional development
activities equivalent to six semester hours or 90 contact hours. Applicants
must electronically submit an affidavit attesting to the completion of
applicable professional development. Such activities must be related to
increasing the license-holder's competence in his or her existing or potential
endorsement area; to increasing the license-holder's skills and competence in
delivery of instruction in his or her existing or potential endorsement area;
to evidence-based practices for teaching reading and literacy; or to culturally
and linguistically diverse education. Professional development activities may
be selected from one or more of the following:
7.02(1)(a) In-service education: School
districts and BOCES are approved entities for in-service education programs.
One semester hour of credit may be granted for every 15 contact hours of
participation.
7.02(1)(b) College
or university credit: College or university credit may be earned from accepted
institutions of higher education or accepted community, technical or junior
colleges. Courses must be directly related to the standards for professional
development as provided in section 7.02 of these rules. Copies of official
transcripts may be submitted, in addition to the online affidavit form, as
evidence of completion of college/university credit. Though submission of
official transcripts is not required, the Department may audit renewal
applications to verify college or university credit.
7.02(1)(c) Educational travel: Educational
travel must be directly applicable to the endorsement area of the
license-holder as documented by the license-holder and accompanied by
supervisor verification. One semester hour of credit may be granted for every
15 contact hours of involvement. Travel time to and from the intended
destination must not be included in the hours accumulated.
7.02(1)(d) Involvement in school and/or
district initiatives: One semester hour of credit may be granted for every 15
contact hours of participation. When verified by the license-holder's
supervisor, activities may include, but are not limited to:
7.02(1)(d)(i) membership on school site or
district accountability or improvement committee(s);
7.02(1)(d)(ii) curriculum, standards or
assessment development or implementation in the license-holder's endorsement
area;
7.02(1)(d)(iii) the
implementation of standards;
7.02(1)(d)(iv) the development or
implementation of evidence-based practices for teaching reading, literacy or
numeracy; and
7.02(1)(d)(v)
professional development in the area of culturally and linguistically diverse
education.
7.02(1)(e)
Internships/Externships: Advanced field experiences offered as part of graduate
study or other professional training and designed to acquire knowledge or
enhance the skills of the educator may qualify as an internship. The internship
must be directly related to the standards for professional development as
provided in section 7.02 of these rules. One semester hour of credit may be
accepted for every 15 contact hours of participation. Official transcripts or
supervisor verification must be submitted, in addition to the online renewal
summary form, as evidence of completion.
7.02(1)(f) Ongoing professional development
and training experiences: Online or in-person professional development
confirmed by certificate or documentation of completion or instructor
verification, attendance or presentation at professional conferences; service
on statewide or national educational task forces or boards; professional
research and publication; supervision of student teachers or interns;
mentorships; and the pursuit of national educator certification.
7.02(2) For renewal of a
professional teacher license, at least 10 of the 90 contact hours of
professional development activities required must be related to:
7.02(2)(a) behavioral health training that is
culturally responsive and trauma- and evidence-informed; and
7.02(2)(b) increasing awareness of laws and
practices relating to educating students with disabilities in the
classroom.
7.02(2)(c) The
behavioral health training required pursuant to section 7.02(2)(a) may include:
7.02(2)(c)(i) mental health first-aid
training, specific to youth and teens;
7.02(2)(c)(ii) training modules concerning
teen suicide prevention;
7.02(2)(c)(iii) training on interconnected
systems framework for positive behavioral interventions and supports and mental
health;
7.02(2)(c)(iv) training
approved or provided by the school district where the teacher is
employed;
7.02(2)(c)(v) training
concerning students with behavioral concerns or disabilities;
7.02(2)(c)(vi) training modules concerning
child traumatic stress; and
7.02(2)(c)(vii) any other program or training
that meets the requirements of Rule 7.02(2)(a).
7.02(2)(d) The training regarding students
with disabilities required pursuant to section 7.02(2)(b) must increase
awareness of laws and practices relating to educating students with
disabilities in the classroom, including, but not limited to, Child Find and
inclusive learning environments.
7.02(3) A teacher may obtain the 10 hours
required by section 7.02(2) through any combination of courses as long as that
combination includes at least one hour of training in each area. A single
professional development course or activity may satisfy both content
requirements.
7.02(4) For renewal
of a professional special services provider, principal or administrator
license, at least 10 of the 90 contact hours of professional development
activities required for renewal must be in professional development activities
related to increasing awareness of laws and practices relating to educating
students with disabilities in the classroom, as described in section
7.02(2)(b).
7.02(5) Professional
license-holders must meet the requirement outlined in this section 7.02(2) or
7.02(4), as applicable, during the term of the license, each seven-year renewal
cycle except that a professional license-holder who had less than three years
left in the license renewal period on June 30, 2020 has until the end of the
following applicable renewal period to satisfy the requirements.
7.02(6) Except for the activities undertaken
to satisfy the requirements of Rule 7.02(2) and 7.02(4) above, activities
completed for professional license renewal must be directly related to one or
more of the following standards:
7.02(6)(a)
knowledge of subject matter content and learning, including knowledge and
application of the Colorado Academic Standards, special education laws and
processes, postsecondary workforce readiness, career counseling, multi-tiered
systems of support and other appropriate student-based supports;
7.02(6)(b) knowledge of the Teacher and
Special Services Provider Quality Standards, Principal Quality Standards and
Administrator Quality Standards as outlined in sections 5.00, 6.00 and 6.06 of
these rules;
7.02(6)(c) knowledge
of the English Language Learner Educator Standards as outlined in sections
5.09-5.12 of these rules;
7.02(6)(d) knowledge of content area
endorsement standards as outlined in 1 CCR
301-101;
7.02(6)(e) knowledge of the standards for
preparation of Special Education and Gifted Education as outlined in sections
6.08 and 6.17 of these rules;
7.02(6)(f) knowledge of the Colorado Reading
to Ensure Academic Development (READ) Act as outlined in 1 CCR
301-92;
7.02(6)(g) effective
organization, leadership and management of human and financial resources to
create a safe and effective working and learning environment;
7.02(6)(h) awareness of warning signs of
dangerous behavior in youth and situations that present a threat to themselves
and to the health and safety of students, and knowledge of the community
resources available to enhance the health and safety of other students and the
school community, youth mental health, safe de-escalation of crisis situations,
recognition of signs of poor mental health and substance use, and support of
students;
7.02(6)(i) effective
teaching of the democratic ideal;
7.02(6)(j) recognition, appreciation and
support for ethnic, cultural, gender, economic and human diversity to create
inclusive learning environments that foster fair and equitable treatment and
consideration for all;
7.02(6)(k)
effective communication with students, colleagues, parents and the
community;
7.02(6)(l) effective
modeling of appropriate behaviors to ensure quality learning experiences for
students and for colleagues;
7.02(6)(m) consistently ethical behavior and
creation of an environment that encourages and develops responsibility, ethics
and citizenship in self and others;
7.06(6)(n) achievement as a continuous
learner who encourages and supports personal and professional development of
self and others; or
7.06(6)(o)
awareness of laws and practices relating to educating students with
disabilities in the classroom, including, but not limited to, Child Find and
inclusive learning environments.
7.02(7) Professional development activities
completed by an applicant for license renewal must apply equally to renewal of
any professional educator license or endorsement held by the
applicant.
7.02(8) Upon completion
of the professional development activities and within the six months prior to
the expiration of the professional license(s) to be renewed, the applicant must
submit:
7.02(8)(a) a complete application for
license renewal, including a signed affidavit in which the license-holder
affirms under oath that:
7.02(8)(a)(i) the
license-holder satisfactorily completed the ongoing professional development
activities specified in the affidavit;
7.02(8)(a)(ii) the activities were completed
within the term of the professional license; and
7.02(8)(a)(iii) to the best of the
license-holder's knowledge, the activities comply with the requirements of
section 7.02 of these rules and section
22-60.5-110, C.R.S.;
7.02(8)(b) a statement of how the
activities selected aided the license-holder in meeting the standards for
professional educators;
7.02(8)(c)
the required evaluation fee;
7.02(8)(d) the oath required in section
2.04(2)(f) of these rules; and
7.02(8)(e) a complete set of license-holder's
fingerprints taken by a qualified law enforcement agency, an authorized
employee of a school district or Board of Cooperative Services using
fingerprinting equipment that meets the Federal Bureau of Investigation image
quality standards, or any third party approved by the Colorado Bureau of
Investigation, unless the applicant previously submitted a complete and
approved set of fingerprints to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation and
satisfactory record of this submission is on file with the
Department.
7.02(9) The
Department will evaluate the application and supporting evidence and renew the
license, request additional information or explanation, or recommend denial of
the license renewal if the requirements of section 7.02(4) of these rules are
not met.
7.02(10) Master
certificates. License-holders who hold master certificates in conjunction with
professional licenses may renew the master certification by providing evidence
that the license-holder continued to engage in professional development and
leadership and continued to demonstrate advanced competencies and expertise
during the period in which the master certificate was valid. Master
certificates are valid for the period of time for which a professional license
is valid and are renewable upon expiration of the license.
7.02(10)(a) Professional development
activities for the renewal of master certificates may include but need not be
limited to: involvement in school reform efforts; service on state-wide boards
or commissions; supervision and mentorship of advanced-level practicum or
internship students; advanced study appropriate to standards 5.00 or 6.00 of
these rules; and original research and/or publication.
English Language Learner Professional
Development
7.02(11) Effective beginning in the 2018-2019
school year and every year thereafter, educators endorsed in elementary, math,
science, social studies or English language arts, and seeking a renewal of
their professional license, must complete professional development activities
equivalent to 45 contact hours or three semester hours in Culturally and
Linguistically Diverse (CLD) Education within the seven-year renewal period.
The activities must meet or exceed the standards set forth in section 7.02 and
in sections 5.09-5.12 of these rules. This requirement must only be completed
once. Professional development activities completed to satisfy this requirement
may also be counted toward the requirements in section 7.02(1).
7.02(11)(a) Educators may demonstrate
knowledge of the standards outlined in sections 5.09-5.12 of these rules in one
or in a combination of the following ways:
7.02(11)(a)(i) through a collection of
professional development, in-service credit, college/university credit and/or
work experience that meet the standards as outlined;
7.02(11)(a)(ii) completion of any
Department-approved English Language Learner pathway, which may include
district, college or university, BOCES or nonprofit programs;
7.02(11)(a)(ii)(A) Agencies wishing to become
an approved pathway may submit an application for approval of an English
Language Learner pathway to the Department's Educator Talent
Division.
7.02(11)(a)(ii)(B)
Approved pathways will be reviewed every three years to ensure consistency and
alignment to the standards as noted.
7.02(11)(a)(iii) completion of a Colorado CLD
or a related out-of-state endorsement (such as English as a Second Language);
and/or
7.02(11)(a)(iv) completion
of a Department-facilitated English Language Learner professional development
pathway.
7.02(11)(b) A
district superintendent annually may request a waiver from the English language
learner professional development requirements for their educators endorsed in
elementary, math, science, social studies or English language arts if the
district has had an average of 2% or fewer identified English language learners
in the three years immediately preceding such request, as identified in the
Department's annual Student October Pupil Enrollment data collection.
7.02(11)(c) The principal of a charter school
authorized by the institute annually may request a waiver from the English
language learner professional development requirements for educators in their
charter school authorized by the institute endorsed in elementary, math,
science, social studies or English language arts if the charter school has had
an average of 2% or fewer identified English language learners in the three
years immediately preceding such request as identified in the Department's
annual Student October Pupil Enrollment collection.
7.02(11)(d) Upon submission of an application
for renewal, license-holders must also submit the superintendent's or
institute's notice of request for waiver. The Department will evaluate the
waiver request based on the average of the last three years of the English
language learner population in the district.