Teacher
General Questions
How can I find out my CACTUS number?
C.A.C.T.U.S. Numbers (Computer Aided Credentials of Teachers in Utah Schools)Because of the issues of identity theft associated with social security numbers, there has been an effort to switch to CACTUS ID numbers. If you do not know your CACTUS ID number, you will need to log on to UEN by logging into my.uen and use the C.A.C.T.U.S. button to view your Utah Educator License information or simply log on to C.A.C.T.U.S . Keep this number handy for future use. This is how university and USOE credit is entered into C.A.C.T.U.S.
Endorsements
Please be aware- a new Secondary Science Endorsement Form will be effective Sept 2008.
For a copy of the new endorsement for, click here.
What is the difference between the old form and the new form?
- Biological Science endorsement:
- 2 zoology and 2 botany will change to 1 zoology, 1 botany, 1 your choice (zoology or botany) and evolution.
- Safety Certification will be added to all endorsements.
- Environmental Science endorsement:
- Organic chemistry is eliminated
How do I know which endorsements I currently have?
Check your CACTUS records. Log on to www.myuen.org.
How would I know what science endorsement I would need?
The following link has a list of courses and the required endorsement to teach each. Only one endorsement is required for each teaching assignment.
Science Assignment Requirements
How can I tell whether a course fulfills a requirement for endorsement?
The courses need to fit the following criteria.
1. Courses are from the appropriate science department within the university (for example- a geology requirement should be fulfilled with a course from the geology department.)
2. The course must be one which a science major can take to fulfill graduation requirements. (Credit cannot be from a course that is listed for non-science majors.)
3. The courses are three or more credits from an accredited institution of higher education.
4. There are some courses in which recency will be taken into consideration. Depending upon the course, some course credits that are over 10 years old may not be applicable.
5. The grade earned must be a C or higher.
Where can I take the courses to complete the requirements for an endorsement?
Courses may be taken at an accredited university or through USOE sponsored summer endorsement program. For a list of the courses being offered this coming summer click here.
Are all the summer endorsement courses offered every year?
No, some courses that have a high demand are offered every year. Others are offered every other year. Still others are offered on a three year rotating schedule. In order to help plan out your summers, there is a list of proposed courses.
List of Proposed Science Endorsement Courses 2008-2010
How do the summer endorsement courses compare to university courses?
The summer endorsement courses are comparable to university courses. The summer endorsement courses are developed specifically towards increasing the content knowledge and pedagogy of teachers in science education. Three types of credit are offered for theses courses. A participant must pick only one type of credit.
They are as follows:
* University Credit
University credit is transferable out of state. The credit is recorded on a university transcript. A teacher must pay the recording fee which is equal to the amount of the deposit. During the course, the deposit check will be returned to the participant. At that time, the participant may choose to resubmit the deposit check as the recording fee for university credit. Classes taken for university credit will also be recorded on CACTUS beginning summer of 2006. Prior to summer 2006, university credit used for endorsements would need to be accompanied by official university transcripts.
* USOE Credit
USOE credit is not transferrable out of state. The credit is included within the cost of the course. USOE credit has always been recorded on CACTUS and therefore, transcripts are not necessary for documentation in order to apply for endorsements.
* Relicensure Points
Relicensure points are awarded one point per hour of instruction. The credit is included within the cost of the course. This is not recorded on CACTUS and the participant is awarded a certificate which they are responsible for keeping for their own records.
If I have completed all the requirements for my science endorsement, what do I do next?
You will need the following:
A completed Secondary Science Endorsement form with corresponding coursework in boxes as indicated on the form
Original Transcripts from an accredited university with corresponding coursework highlighted. Computer printouts or copies will not be accepted.
Processing fee of $35.00
Please follow the instructions carefully as stated on the Secondary Science Endorsement form and mail to Sheri Lowry.
What is a SAEP?
SAEP stands for State Approved Endorsement Plan. It is a contract that is established between USOE and the participating teacher to allow a teacher to teach while earning an endorsement. By participating in the program, the individual promises that they will complete the required coursework for their SAEP within a two year period. In order to qualify for the SAEP program, the participating teacher must be currently teaching a course in which they would need an endorsement and have already completed at least 9 semester hours of courses within the endorsement requirements.
What do I need to do to apply for a SAEP?
You will need the following:
A completed Secondary Science Endorsement form with corresponding coursework in boxes as indicated on the form
Original Transcripts from an accredited university with corresponding coursework highlighted. Computer printouts or copies will not be accepted.
Processing fee of $30.00
Please follow the instructions carefully as stated on the Secondary Science Endorsement form and mail to Stephanie Ferris.
Can I get an extension on my SAEP?
You must demonstrate continual progress toward the completion of your SAEP in order to apply for an extension. If you are interested in applying for an extension contact Velma Itamura at (801)538-7803 or velma.itamura@schools.utah.gov.
What happens if I do not complete my SAEP?
A SAEP is a contract and breaking that contract prohibits the individual from entering another similar SAEP in the future.
If I have completed all the requirements for my science SAEP, what do I do next?
Complete the State-Approved Endorsement Program: Request for Endorsement form and provide original transcripts for all courses except those taken through the USOE Summer Endorsement Program after May 2006 or courses taken for USOE credit.
PRAXIS
What is the PRAXIS test?
The PRAXIS is a nationally-normed assessment of content based upon university level courses. The USOE has approved some tests in some areas as indicators of Highly Qualified status. Tests approved by Utah.
Can I earn an endorsement by passing the PRAXIS test?
No, taking the PRAXIS test does not replace taking the required coursework for the endorsement.
Do I have to take the PRAXIS test?
If you have a Level 2 license, the only time you would need to take the PRAXIS is if you want to earn a new science endorsement, or if you started a new SAEP for science after July 1, 2006.
The Following is a quote taken from Board Rule R 277-503 1M.
"Praxis II - Principles of Learning and Teaching" is a standards-based test provided by ETS and designed to assess a beginning teacher's pedagogical knowledge. This test is used by many states as part of their teacher licensing process. Colleges and universities may use this test as an exit exam from teacher education programs. All Utah Level 1 license holders employed or reemployed after January 1, 2003 shall pass this test prior to the issuance of a Level 2 professional educator license consistent with R277-522-1H(3).
How can I prepare for the PRAXIS test?
The following website has information regarding which PRAXIS tests are accepted in Utah for each science endorsement. The website has the topics covered and sample questions to help participants prepare for taking the PRAXIS test.
How do I register to take the PRAXIS ?
What are the PRAXIS passing scores and how are they determined?
There are two set passing scores for the PRAXIS exams in Utah.
* Utah Passing Score - UPS
The UPS is determined by a committee. The committee uses the national median and the Utah median for the PRAXIS to determine the Utah Passing Score.
*Interim Score - IS
The IS is the national median. This means that the UPS has yet to be determined.
*Where can I find the passing scores
Both the UPS and IS are listed to the left of the PRAXIS box on the Secondary Science Endorsement form.
Highly Qualified Status
What does “Highly Qualified” mean?
Highly Qualified (HQ) is a term used to define whether teachers have met specific teacher professional development standards. It is a term that is most closely associated with the provisions in the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), more commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind (NCLB). Quite often excellent, veteran teachers with years of experience and wonderful pedagogy are still not deemed HQ under the provisions of this law. Nevertheless, there are a number of steps teachers can take to become HQ in science.
Who determines whether teachers are HQ
School districts are responsible for this determination. Teachers with questions about their HQ status should consult with the district administrator in charge of compliance.
What is the connection between Highly Qualified under NCLB and endorsements?
While all teachers who are highly qualified will have the necessary endorsements, not all teachers who have endorsements are highly qualified. This is because the terms refer to two different things. In order to be qualified to teach a class, a teacher needs to have the required endorsements. However to be Highly Qualified, a teacher must have the endorsements and must meet one of the following requirements:
Have a major in the field in which you need to be HQ or
Have a major equivalency (30 semester hours) or
Earn National Board Certification or
Pass the PRAXIS assessment for the specific endorsement or
Have the required endorsement(s) and have earned 200 HOUSSE points.
What are HOUSSE points?
High Objective Uniform State Standard of Evaluation (HOUSSE) points are basically re-licensure points that educators can earn for successful teaching and for successful completion of professional development if that professional development is specific to the field in which they need to be highly qualified. Professional development that is not specific to a teacher’s field can be used for re-licensure, but does not count as HOUSSE points.
Teachers need to earn 200 points during the time between license renewals. Teachers can earn 100 points for successful teaching. Then they can earn an additional 100 points by taking college courses or earning other re-licensure credit in their field.
One semester hour of college credit is worth 18 points, as is one hour of USOE credit.
Can endorsement courses count for HOUSSE points?
Not unless the teacher already has the endorsement. HOUSSE points can only be applied after a teacher has earned their endorsement.