CivicClerk Meeting Agendas

CivicClerk

Beginning August 1, 2019 the Utah State Board of Education will begin using CivicClerk as its Agenda Management Tool. If you have any questions, please contact Board Secretary, Cybil Child at (801) 538-7517 or via e-mail at cybil.child@schools.utah.gov.

Live Webcast/Audiocast

Utah State Board of Education Media
YouTube

Note: A live meeting Webcast or Audiocast is typically available while meetings are in session.

Board Summary

November 2, 2023 Board Meeting

The Utah State Board of Education: 

• Received a report on the decline in enrollment in Utah’s K-12 public schools in 2023.
• Made funding recommendations for the State Legislature’s consideration.
• Celebrated accomplishments in preschools across the State of Utah.
• Amended R277-700 and directed staff to refile the amended rule with the Office of Administrative Rules.
• Approved a waiver request from the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA).
• Full agenda. 

Utah Public School Enrollment Sees a Decline for the First Time in 2023

According to data released by the Utah State Board of Education, enrollment in Utah’s public education system decreased by 1,988 students, which marks a 0.3 percent decrease from the previous year. This also marks the first time that the Utah public school system has seen a decline in enrollment.

The agency released a separate press release on this item.

For Additional Information, Please Contact:

Ryan Bartlett
Director of Strategic Communications
Phone: (801) 538-7994 | E-mail

Board Makes Recommendations on the Funding of Multiple Programs for the State Legislature’s Consideration

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) made several recommendations and clarifications related to the funding of various programs to report back to the state legislature’s Public Education Appropriation (PEA) committee.

USBE is recommending that the legislature consider and clarify that the local funding match for the Beverley Taylor Sorenson Arts (BTSA) Program is a minimum of 20 percent and the non-supplant applies only to meeting the statutory match requirement. The Board voted to codify (in Board rule or Utah Code) that new funding goes first to increase the number of new schools in BTSA as the top priority, after ensuring current salary schedules are met. They encouraged PEA to consider an extension of time prior to shifting the current budget model to complete the research study underway which will address best models for program implementation and barriers to opting into BTSA and provide a report to PEA in 2024.

The Board also recommended the legislature consider relaxing the requirements in Utah Code 53F-2-506 for a required licensed full-time arts educator for the BTSA program to allow more participation from more rural areas who can’t afford or find a full-time educator; This would allow for more flexibility, such as an artist-in-residence model, or a rural coach model, to fill the role.

The Board also recommended that the legislature clarify that state funds for Educator Professional Time may be awarded by stipend or hourly rate at the discretion of the LEA. The state distribution could be appropriated on a per teacher basis to the LEA based on the state appropriation and total number of eligible educators, but then distributed based on a local school Board distribution model.

Finally, the Board plans to develop a framework for the Teacher Supplies and Materials program, including purpose, distribution of funding, and use of funding by educators to present to the legislature for consideration and feedback to clarify the intent and allowable costs of the program for future fiscal years.

For additional information, please contact: 

Scott Jones
Deputy Superintendent of Operations
Phone: (801) 538-7615 | E-mail

Board Celebrates Accomplishments in Utah Preschools

USBE staff presented an overview of the landscape and the recent accomplishments of preschool students across the state. There are currently 16,425 students in local education agency (LEA) preschool programs across the state. The agency administers two school readiness grants to support quality and expanded student access. The state assessment for preschool demonstrates significant improvement in literacy and numeracy for students that attend the high quality preschools.

According to data from the 2022-2023 school year, literacy rates increased from 32% at the beginning of the year to 72% by the end of the year. In the two years prior, literacy rates increased to 67%, making this past year the most successful yet.

For additional information, please contact: 

Jared Lisonbee
Preschool Specialist
Phone: (801) 538-7976 | E-mail

Board Amends R277-700 and Directs Staff to Refile the Rule with the Office of Administrative Rules

The Utah State Board of Education approved an amendment to R277-700, The Elementary and Secondary School General Core and directed staff to refile the rule with the Office of Administrative Rules (OAR). The amendment changes the language of the rule to allow for a parent and school to work together to establish an alternate academic accommodation, allowing a student to demonstrate mastery of Core Standards or alternate standards, if a student refrains from a portion of a course, or to a course in its entirety under Section 53G-10-205.  

For additional information, please contact: 

Angie Stallings
Deputy Superintendent of Policy
Phone: (801) 538-7656 | E-mail

Ben Rassmussen
Director of Law and Professional Practices
Phone: (801) 538-7835 | E-mail

Board Directs Staff to Revise and Bring Back the Statewide Online Education Program Rule

The Utah State Board of Education directed staff, as a component of the Certified Online Provider application process, to revise the Utah State Board of Education Statewide Online Education Program rule and bring it back before the Board. Those recommended revision elements include adding a demonstration of safeguards for student data privacy compliance, documentation of non-profit status, and a description of an alternative process for placing students who may lack academic records.

For additional information, please contact: 

Dr. Quinn Kellis
Technology-Supported Learning Coordinator
Phone: (801) 538-7785 | E-mail

Board Approves Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Waiver Request

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) approved the submission of the waiver request to the United States Department of Education. The passage of S.B. 257 created the requirement that the Utah State Board of Education submit a waiver request to the United States Department of Education to allow the exclusion from school accountability of any "school with an opt-out rate on statewide assessments for accountability that exceeds 50%."

For additional information, please contact: 

Darin Nielsen
Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning
Phone: (801) 538-7811| E-mail

Board Approves Waiver for Daggett School District

The Utah State Board of Education approved Daggett School District’s request for a waiver under R277-419-4 and made it retroactive to the 2022-2023 school year. This waiver would allow for an exception to the 180 day attendance requirement. The schools included are: Flaming Gorge Elementary School, Manila Elementary School, and Manila High School.

For additional information, please contact: 

Angie Stallings
Deputy Superintendent of Policy
Phone: (801) 538-7656 | E-mail 

Board Approves Winter Sports School Waiver

The Utah State Board of Education voted to approve the Winter Sports School's (WSS) request for a waiver under R277-419-4, which requires students to attend 180 days. Since the 2014 school year, WSS has operated as a public charter school with a non-traditional calendar of 144 days between April and November. The Board’s vote made the waiver retroactive to the 2022-2023 school year and the waiver will be applied for the next five years.

For additional information, please contact: 

Angie Stallings
Deputy Superintendent of Policy
Phone: (801) 538-7656 | E-mail

Board Approves Amendment to Data Sharing Agreement with Navajo Nation

The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) approved an amendment to the data sharing agreement with the Navajo Nation that has been in place since 2013. The agreement allows USBE to share certain student achievement data with the Navajo Nation. This specific amendment extends the existing data sharing agreement for another three years and does not change the data that will be shared with the Navajo Nation.

For additional information, please contact: 

Katy Challis
Director of Student Data Privacy
Phone: (801) 538-7894 | E-mail

Board Approves Data Sharing Agreement with Westat

The Utah State Board of Education approved the research data sharing agreement with Westat. Researchers from Westat are conducting a study on behalf of the Institute of Education Sciences (IES) at the U.S. Department of Education and are seeking de-identified student-level data on English learner students in Utah. The project title is "Study of the Impact of English Learner Entrance and Exit Policies."

For additional information, please contact: 

Katy Challis
Director of Student Data Privacy
Phone: (801) 538-7894 | E-mail

New Administrative Rules and Amendments Approved

The Utah State Board of Education approved the following new administrative rules and administrative rule amendments:

• R277-704, Financial and Economic Literacy: Integration into Core Curriculum and Financial and Economic Literacy Student Passports.This rule is being continued with an updated rule citation amendment.
• R277-217, Educator Standards and LEA Reporting. This rule is being amended to add new provisions to the educator standards and change LEA reporting requirements to UPPAC when there are alleged violations.
• R277-210, Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC) Definitions. This rule is being amended to include updated presumptions for educator misconduct.
• R277-211, Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC), Rules of Procedure: Notification to Educators, Complaints, and Final Disciplinary Actions. This rule is being amended to update provisions on how UPPAC reviews new cases.
• R277-477, Distributions of Funds from the Trust Distribution Account and Administration of School LAND Trust Program. This rule is being amended to remove the $7,000 limitation on digital citizenship and safety as part of School LAND Trust academic plans.
• R277-625, Mental Health Screeners Grant. This rule is being amended to clarify who must attend mental health screener training.
• R277-752, Special Education Intensive Services Fund. This rule is being amended to add a sunset because the Intensive Services Fund is being discontinued.
• R277-554, State Charter School Board Grants and Mentoring Program. This rule is being amended to clarify eligible uses for charter implementation grant funds. 

Board Approves Consent Calendar

The Utah State Board of Education approved its consent calendar.

Highlights of Friday’s Committee Meetings and Study Session

The Utah State Board of Education Finance, Law and Licensing, and Standards and Assessment Committees will meet on Friday, November 3. Members of the public who wish to virtually comment on items on committee agendas should contact the executive assistant of the committee via email prior to meeting. Public comment is at the discretion of committee chairs.

Items approved in committee meetings will be heard by the full Board during its December 7 meeting.

Finance Committee will meet online only from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Highlights of the meeting include:

• Preliminary approval and request of an allocation of unobligated Carry Forward Funds to the legislature.
• Preliminary approval of a resolution that establishes the official position of the Utah State Board of Education regarding School Trust Lands and Funds.

Law and Licensing Committee will meet in a hybrid format from 9:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., with the option to join virtually. Highlights of the meeting include:

• Preliminary approval of R277-925, Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program.
• Preliminary approval of R277-126, Utah Fits All Scholarship Appeals.

Standards and Assessment Committee will meet in a hybrid format from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., with the option to join virtually. Highlights of the meeting include:

• Preliminary approval of CTE course standards.

Meeting Minutes

Voting Records

Information coming soon.