1. (1) "Grant program" means the Grow Your Own Educator Program established in Section 53F-5-218.

2. (2) "Grant program candidate" or "candidate" means:

   1. (a) for a school counselor, a student who is:

      1. (i) enrolled in an accredited school counseling master's degree program; or
      2. (ii) completing the candidate's hours of a supervised practicum or internship by applying appropriate school counseling practices under the supervision of a licensed school counselor;

   2. (b) for a school psychologist, a student who is:

      1. (i) enrolled in an accredited school psychology degree program; or
      2. (ii) completing the candidate's hours of a supervised practicum or internship by applying appropriate school psychology practices under the supervision of a licensed school psychologist;

   3. (c) for a school social worker, a student who is:

      1. (i) enrolled in an accredited social work master's degree program; or
      2. (ii) completing the candidate's hours of a supervised practicum or internship by applying appropriate school social work practices under the supervision of a licensed social worker; or
   4. (d) for a teacher, meets the requirements of Section 53F-5-218.

3. (3) "High leverage" means critical instructional practices that research has demonstrated can impact student achievement and be used across different content areas and grade levels, including:

   1. (a) collective efficacy;
   2. (b) student engagement;
   3. (c) systematically designed instruction;
   4. (d) feedback; and
   5. (e) learning environment.

4. (4) "Mentor" means an educator selected in consultation with a candidate's principal who:

   1. (a) has a professional educator license and license area in the field for which the educator is mentoring;
   2. (b) has no less than three years full-time experience in the appropriate license area;
   3. (c) has effective or highly effective evaluations in accordance with Rule R277-533;
   4. (d) has proven successful in positively improving student outcomes;
   5. (e) follows all applicable supervision and mentoring requirements from a candidate's educator preparation program and Rule R277-308; and

   6. (f) for a mentor teacher:

      1. (i) models the use of high leverage teaching practices that meets the needs of diverse learners;
      2. (ii) demonstrates content and grade level expertise; and
      3. (iii) effectively collaborates with colleagues, families, and the broader community.
5. (5) "Regional Education Service Agency or "RESA" has the same meaning as the term is defined in Section 53G-4-410.
6. (6) "School counselor assistant" has the same meaning as defined in Section 53F-5-218.

KEY: school counselor program, grant program

Date of Last Change: July 11, 2023

Notice of Continuation: May 13, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4), 53F-5-218