R277-623. School Climate Survey

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-623.  School Climate Survey.

R277-623-1.  Authority, Purpose, and Oversight Category.

          (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; and

          (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

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to provide an LEA with:

          (a)  the recommended distribution method;

          (b)  climate survey frequency; and

          (c)  minimum sample size required to conduct a climate survey.

          (3)  This Rule R277-623 is categorized as Category 2 as described in Rule R277-111.

R277-623-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "School Climate Survey" or "climate survey" means a survey that evaluates a range of aspects of the educational environment to assess perceptions and identify specific strengths and weaknesses within a school.

          (2)  "School Community" means relevant stakeholders including:

          (a)  parents;

          (b)  students;

          (c)  administration;

          (d)  school building staff including teachers; and

          (e)  school resource officers as defined in Subsection 53G-8-701(2).

R277-623-3.  Incorporation of Required School Climate Survey Questions by Reference.

          (1)  This rule incorporates by reference the Model School Climate Survey.

          (2)  A copy of the model survey is located at:

          (a)  https://schools.utah.gov/administrativerules/documentsincorporated; and

          (b)  the Utah State Board of Education.

R277-623-4.  Climate Survey Administration.

          (1)  If an LEA chooses to administer the Model School Climate Survey:

          (a)  an LEA shall administer the climate survey:

          (i)  with parental consent as described in Section 53E-9-203;

          (ii)  to all schools within the LEA; and

          (iii)  at least once every other year and in the opposite year from administration of the public education exit and engagement survey described in Rule R277-325;

          (b)  an LEA may include additional questions in the LEA's climate survey consistent with student data privacy requirements as described in Section 53E-9-203.

          (2)  If an LEA chooses to administer a school climate survey, the LEA shall administer the climate survey:

          (a)  in an anonymous and randomized way;

          (b)  to the LEA's school community as defined in Section R277-623-2;

          (c)  in other languages relevant to the school community where possible;

          (d)  to all adults and students across all academic achievement levels; and

          (e)  with a minimum of 35% of the student population or 400 responses per survey group, whichever is less.

          (f)  in a form compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

          (3)  For survey accommodations:

          (a)  the student can request for a different survey administrator; and

          (b)  an LEA may administer the survey orally to a student if:

          (i)  the LEA provides methods to protect the confidentiality of the student's responses;

          (ii)  the LEA provides methods to protect the confidentiality and identity of the survey administrator from the general public.

          (4)  If an LEA chooses to administer a school climate survey, the LEA shall administer the climate survey through a Board approved online provider.

          (5)  An LEA shall restrict access to survey responses in accordance with the LEA's written policies, Board rule, or state and federal laws.

KEY:  school climate survey, school safety

Date of Last Change:  March 10, 2025

Notice of Continuation:  January 15, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53G-8-802(2)(i)

Status of Rule

Effective March 10, 2025

Five-year review January 15, 2030

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Oversight Framework

Category 2

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53E-9-203

53G-8-802

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-325, Public Education Exit and Engagement Surveys

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Related Federal Law

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Willie Chen
willie.chen@schools.utah.gov
School Safety Center

Secondary Contact:
Melissa Muhlestein
melissa.muhlestein@schools.utah.gov
School Safety Center

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This page was last updated on 3/18/25.

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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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