R277-730. Kindergarten Programs

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-730.  Kindergarten Programs.

R277-730-1.  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;

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

          (c)  Section 53E-3-401, which requires the Board to establish rules regarding the administration of kindergarten standards.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to establish minimum standards for half-day kindergarten programs in the state.

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

R277-730-2.  Definitions.

          (1) "Full Curriculum half-day" means the minimum standards required to be covered in a half-day kindergarten option.

          (2)  "Half-Day Kindergarten Option" means a structure within a kindergarten program that allows for enrollment in half-day kindergarten and may include:

          (a)  a half-day kindergarten class; or

          (b)  an option in which a student participates in a portion of a full-day kindergarten class.

          (3)  "Half-Day Kindergarten Student" means a student who is enrolled in a half-day kindergarten option and generates a .55 Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU) for the LEA.

          (4)  "Half-day kindergarten class" means a half-day kindergarten class dedicated to serving half-day kindergarten students exclusively.

          (5)  "Minimum standards" means the state-approved standards for content areas of English language arts and mathematics and recommended inclusion of other content area standards to the fullest extent possible.

          (6)  "Regional School" means a neighboring school within a district LEA's region.

          (7)  "Registration" means the timeline an LEA has established and communicated out to their community for priority kindergarten registration.

R277-730-3.  Half-Day Kindergarten Options.

          (1)  Each LEA shall provide and communicate half-day kindergarten options during the time of priority registration and after priority registration for a parent wanting to enroll the parent's child in a half-day option.

          (2)  The curriculum of a half-day kindergarten option shall align with the minimum standards for kindergarten as defined in Subsection R277-730-2(5).

          (3)  An LEA's half-day kindergarten options may include:

          (a)  a half-day option within a full-day kindergarten program; or

          (b)  a half-day kindergarten class.

          (4)  An LEA shall offer a half-day kindergarten class when 19 or more students enroll as half-day kindergarten students during the LEA's designated priority registration within the students' boundary school or regional school within the LEA.

          (5)  Nothing in this subsection prohibits an LEA from offering a half-day kindergarten class outside of the requirements listed in this rule.

R277-730-4.  Registration and Parental Notice.

          (1)  LEAs shall establish a deadline for priority kindergarten registration and clearly communicate that out to the LEA's community by email, posters, or other announcements.

          (2)  LEAs shall provide clear and comprehensive information to parents or guardians about the available kindergarten options within the LEA during the time of registration.

          (3)  The information described in Subsection (2) shall include:

          (a)  a description of the different kindergarten options available, including half-day and full-day kindergarten options;

          (b)  a typical daily schedule for each option; and

          (c)  any additional educational resources or opportunities available to parents who select the half-day kindergarten option.

          (4)  An LEA shall use multiple methods of communication to ensure all parents or guardians receive the information.

          (5)  The methods described in Subsection (4) may include printed materials, electronic communications, and in-person meetings.

          (6)  An LEA shall provide information described in this section in languages prevalent in the school community to ensure access by all parents or guardians.

          (7)  An LEA shall communicate kindergarten options in accordance with Rule R277-217.

KEY:  Kindergarten, Half-day option

Date of Last Change: August 7, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53G-7-203

Status of Rule

Effective August 7, 2024

Five-year review August 7, 2029

---

Oversight Framework

Category 2

---

Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53G-7-203

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-217, Educator Standards and Local Education Agency (LEA) Reporting

---

Related Federal Law

None

---

Resources

None

---

Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Cydnee McCarty
cydnee.mccarty@schools.utah.gov
Assessment and Accountability

Secondary Contact:
Teresa McEntire
teresa.mcentire@schools.utah.gov
Assessment and Accountability

---

This page was last updated on November 20, 2024.

---

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.

---