Committee adopts functional‑ability requirement for driver‑education endorsements

The Licensure Committee voted unanimously to amend R277‑311 (specialized endorsements) to require an annual functional‑ability evaluation for driver‑education endorsements and to permit rescission when a teacher does not meet the standard.

Malia Hyde, USBE’s executive coordinator of educator licensing, told the committee LEAs have asked for a common standard because driver‑education instructors operate in a higher‑risk setting and LEAs vary on how they evaluate fitness. Hyde said applying the same standard used for private driving instructors would simplify decisionmaking and reduce litigation risk. "It is the easier answer would be to apply the same standard for all other drivers ed teachers in the state that are privately employed, to do to have this standard health form," Hyde said.

Committee members discussed due‑process concerns, reasonable accommodations, and cost; staff said the form can be administered in a way that is not burdensome (state provisions to assist if there is a cost). Vice Chair Bollinger proposed an amendment clarifying issuance and rescission language for superintendent action; the amendment passed unanimously and the committee approved draft 1 on first reading and forwarded it to the board for second and final reading.