R277-326. Early Literacy Coaches

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-326.  Early Literacy Coaches.

R277-326-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

          (c)  Section 53F-2-424, which establishes funding for early literacy coaches, and Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which authorizes the Board to make rules to administer and allocate funding for early literacy coaches.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to establish criteria and minimum requirements of early literacy coaches in accordance with Section 53G-10-804.

R277-326-2.  Definitions.

          "Early literacy coach" means an individual who provides early literacy coaching to educators in kindergarten through grade 3 in accordance with Section 53G-10-804.

R277-326-3.  Early Literacy Coaches.

          (1)(a)  Each regional education service agency and each school district that is not within a regional education service agency shall provide, train, and assign early literacy coaches in accordance with Section 53G-10-804.

          (b)  An early literacy coach shall meet minimum qualifications established by the Board including:

          (i)  training in the science of reading;

          (ii)  training in adult learning theory;

          (iii)  data analysis training and experience, including in the benchmark reading assessment;

          (iv)  experience providing professional learning to adults;

          (v)  a master's degree in education is preferred; and

          (vi)  a minimum of five years of elementary teaching experience is preferred.

          (c)  An early literacy coach shall perform responsibilities consistent with Section 53G-10-804 and as directed by the employing regional education service agency or school district including those identified in Subsections 53G-10-804(2)(b)(i) through (viii), and beginning in the 2028-2029 school year, support the integration of social studies content into literacy instruction to enhance reading comprehension and content knowledge, in alignment with Section 53E-4-205.

          (d)  An early literacy coach may not undertake duties unrelated to literacy coaches, as outlined in Section 53G-10-804.

          (2)  An LEA receiving funds for early literacy coaches may not charge indirect costs.

          (3)  A regional education service agency or school district shall ensure that early literacy coaching supports:

          (a)  professional learning in the science of reading for:

          (i)  educators in kindergarten through grade 3; and

          (ii)  elementary principals and vice principals;

          (b)  coaching of educators in kindergarten through grade 3; and

          (c)  training of paraprofessionals consistent with Section 53G-10-804.

KEY:  professional learning, prek-3, early learning, teacher development

Date of Last Change:  August 7, 2026

Notice of Continuation:  June 10, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented, or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53F-5-214

Status of Rule

Effective August 7, 2026

Five-year review June 10, 2030

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
Title 53E, Chapter 3, Part 10, Early Literacy, specifically 53E-3-1002

53F-5-214

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Harmony Langford
harmony.langford@schools.utah.gov
Teaching and Learning

Secondary Contact:
Julie Clark
julie.clark@schools.utah.gov
Teaching and Learning

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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