R277-921. Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-921.  Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program.

R277-921-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

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

          (b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which authorizes the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities; and

          (c)  Section 53F-5-204, which requires the Board to make rules regarding the program.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to establish:

          (a)  procedures and criteria for applying for and awarding a grant; and

          (b)  reporting requirements for a grantee.

R277-921-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Certificate" means the certificate described in Subsection 53F-5-204(3)(a) that a school counselor may receive through participation in the program.

          (2)  "Grant" means payment of a course fee for a course required to earn the certificate.

          (3)  "Program" means the Strengthening College and Career Readiness Program created in Section 53F-5-204.

          (4)  "School counselor" means a person who:

          (a)  holds or is applying for a Utah School Counselor License as described in Subsection R277-306-6;

          (b)  is an employee of an LEA who provides counseling and information to a student about an educational or career choice;

          (c)  has received an evaluation as effective or higher through the LEA's evaluation system; and

          (d)  is recommended to participate in the program by a supervisor.

R277-921-3.  Incorporation of College and Career Readiness Certificate Program Standards Document.

          (1)(a)  This rule incorporates by reference the College and Career Readiness Certificate Program Standards Document, September 3, 2020, which lists approved standards of each component of the College and Career Readiness Certificate.

          (b)  A school counselor preparation program shall provide opportunities for program applicants, accepted into their programs after January 1, 2020, to successfully demonstrate competencies based on the College and Career Certificate Program Standards.

          (2)  A copy of the College and Career Readiness Certificate Program Standards Document is located at:

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

          (b)  the Utah State Board of Education - 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 84111.

R277-921-4.  Grant Application.

          (1)  Subject to legislative appropriations, an LEA may apply for a grant on behalf of a school counselor by submitting an application:

          (a)  provided on USBE's website;

          (b)  to the Superintendent; and

          (c)  except as provided in Subsection (2), on or before June 30.

          (2)  If the annual appropriation for the program exceeds the grant requests, the Superintendent may extend the deadline specified in Subsection (1)(c) by posting a new deadline on USBE's website.

R277-921-5.  Procedure and Criteria for Awarding Grant.

          (1)  If the grant applications exceed the annual appropriation for the program, the Superintendent shall give preference in awarding a grant to an applicant if:

          (a)  the school where the school counselor works has a state approved School Counseling Program;

          (b)  the school where the school counselor works meets the school counselor-to-student ratio of 1:350, according to Rule R277-462; and

          (c)  the school counselor is licensed as a school counselor according to Subsection R277-306-6.

          (2)  A school counselor who fails to complete a course that is paid for by a grant shall repay the course fee to the Superintendent.

R277-921-6.  Reporting Requirements for Grantee.

          After completing the course work necessary to receive the certificate, the school counselor shall submit to the Superintendent:

          (1)  an action plan to implement the skills developed through earning the certificate to improve students' college and career readiness; and

          (2)  an application that is provided on USBE's website to add the certificate to the school counselor's license.

KEY:  counseling, grant programs, college and career readiness

Date of Last Change:  March 15, 2024

Notice of Continuation:  September 4, 2020

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X, Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53F-5-204

Status of Rule

Effective March 15, 2024

Five-year review September 4, 2025

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Oversight Framework

Uncategorized

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53F-5-204

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-306, Educator Preparation Programs for School Psychologists, Audiologists, Speech-Language Pathologists, Speech-Language Technicians, Counselors, and School Social Workers

R277-462, Comprehensive School Counseling Program

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

Utah State Board of Education College and Career Readiness Certificate Program Standards

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Bethany Marker
bethany.marker@schools.utah.gov
School Counseling

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This page was last updated on November 22, 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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