R277-410. Accreditation of Schools

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-410.  Accreditation of Schools.

R277-410-1.  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 53E-3-501, which directs the Board to establish rules governing school accreditation.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to require qualifying secondary schools to be accredited.

R277-410-2.  Definitions.

          For the purposes of this rule:

          "Qualifying secondary school" means a public school that:

          (1)  includes any of grades 9-12; or

          (2)  offers credits toward high school graduation.

R277-410-3.  Accreditation of Public Schools.

          (1)  A qualifying secondary school shall obtain accreditation from a regional accrediting body.

          (2)  If a qualifying secondary school does not obtain accreditation before the beginning of the school's second year of operation, the credit awarded by the qualifying secondary school is considered earned from a non-accredited source as described in Section R277-705-3:

          (a)  for the school's first year of operation; and

          (b)  until the school becomes accredited.

          (3)(a)  The Superintendent shall establish Utah-specific assurances demonstrating compliance with state law and Board rule to be followed by the accrediting body.

          (b)  The Superintendent shall ensure that qualified secondary schools meet the Utah-specific assurances described in Subsection (3)(a).

          (4)  The Superintendent may require on-site visits as part of the accreditation process.

R277-410-4.  Transfer or Acceptance of Credit.

          (1)  A qualifying secondary school shall accept transfer credits from an accredited qualifying secondary school consistent with Section 53G-7-206 and Section R277-705-3.

          (2)  A qualifying secondary school may accept transfer credits from other credit sources consistent with Section R277-705-3.

KEY:  accreditation, public schools, nonpublic schools

Date of Last Change:  July 22, 2022

Notice of Continuation:  May 16, 2022

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-501(1)(c); 53E-3-401(4)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Status of Rule

Effective July 22, 2022

Five-year review May 16, 2027

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Oversight Framework

Uncategorized

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53E-3-501

53G-7-206

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-705, Secondary School Completion and Diplomas

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Quinn Kellis
quinn.kellis@schools.utah.gov
Teaching and Learning

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This page was last updated on November 6, 2024.

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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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