1 Colo. Code Regs. § 301-37-7.00

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 10, May 30, 2024

Section 1 CCR 301-37-7.00 - Renewal of Colorado Licenses

The following must serve as standards for the renewal of initial and professional licenses and master certificates and endorsements thereon.

7.1Initial Licenses

An initial teacher, special services, principal or administrator license and endorsements may be renewed once for a period of three years for applicants who have not completed the requirements for a professional license as specified in sections 3.05-3.07 of these rules. The State Board of Education may renew the license-holder's initial license for one or more additional three-year periods for good cause if the holder is unable to complete an approved induction program for reasons other than incompetence. A renewal request must include a complete application for renewal, payment of the required fee, and a statement concerning the circumstances related to the applicant's inability to complete the induction program.

7.2Professional 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.

7.3Appeals Process

An applicant whose application for renewal of any license has been denied by the Department may submit an appeal to the State Board of Education. If the State Board of Education finds that the applicant has met the criteria for license renewal, the Department must approve the license renewal.

7.4Reinstatement of Expired Licenses or Certificates

An applicant whose previous professional license or certificate was not renewed may reinstate his or her professional license or certificate by:

7.04(1) completing and submitting a renewal application including:

7.04(1)(a) evidence to satisfy the deficiencies that resulted in prior nonrenewal, including, but not limited to, evidence of completion of professional development requirements as provided in section 7.02 of these rules. An applicant seeking reinstatement must have completed professional development activities totaling either six semester hours or 90 clock-hours within the seven-year period preceding the application for reinstatement; and

7.04(1)(b) the renewal fee set by the State Board of Education.

7.04(2) In the event that a license or certificate is expired, the applicant must submit new fingerprints to the CBI and the results must be transferred to the Department, as provided by section 2.04(1) of these rules.

1 CCR 301-37-7.00

41 CR 14, July 25, 2018, effective 8/14/2018

42 CR 09, May 10, 2019, effective 5/30/2019

43 CR 13, July 10, 2020, effective 7/30/2020

44 CR 07, April 10, 2021, effective 4/30/2021

44 CR 23, December 10, 2021, effective 12/30/2021

45 CR 21, November 10, 2022, effective 11/30/2022

46 CR 11, June 10, 2023, effective 6/30/2023

47 CR 09, May 10, 2024, effective 5/30/2024