Parent Rights
As a parent in Utah, you have specific data privacy rights related to your child's educational records and information. These rights are protected
by federal and state laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Utah state regulations. Utah code acknowledges a parent’s primary role in the education of their children,
and the vital supporting role of the public education system.
Utah Code Policy for Utah's Public Education System 53E-2-201 "Parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children..."
Parents have opportunities to provide input to USBE by serving on various advisory
committees; for more information is available and to participate, contact Kelsey James via e-mail at kelsey.james@schools.utah.gov.
The Utah Constitution provides that the “general control and supervision of the public
education system shall be vested in a State Board of Education.”
Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3
Utah’s “Local Education Agencies” – districts and charter schools – are governed by
elected boards, and are primarily responsible for curriculum, hiring and payment of
teachers, and most other local issues. USBE encourages parents to reach out to your
LEA with any concerns, but we are happy to answer questions about the role of USBE
in supporting and guiding LEAs.
Student Data Privacy
Student Data Privacy
Parent Data Privacy Rights
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) -Health Information Privacy
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)Utah Home Education Association (UHEA)
Utah Code of Parental Rights (53G-6-8)
Utah Senate Bill 114 Public School Curriculum Requirements (parents right to approve curriculum)
Utah Code Student Privacy and Data Protection (53E-9)
R277-615 Board Rule Procedures for Searching Student
R277-487 Board Rule School Data Confidentiality and Disclosure
Accommodations and Special Education Rights
Special Education, Title I, III, IX, VI, and 504.
Constitutional Rights
Article I Declaration of Rights
Article X Constitutional Rights in Education
HB 247 Individual Freedom In Public Education
Utah Code Maintaining constitutional freedom in the public schools (53G-10-202)
Equal Opportunities in Education
Student and Family Rights
Board Rule R277-328 Equal Opportunity in Education
Office for Civil Rights
Filing an OCR Complaint
- Be filed in writing by mail, fax, e-mail, or via the OCR Complaint Portal
- Name the health care or social service provider involved, and describe the acts or
omissions, you believe violated civil rights laws or regulations
- Be filed within 180 days of when you knew that the act or omission complained of occurred.
OCR may extend the 180-day period if you can show "good cause"
Religious Accommodations
Utah Code Individual Freedom In Public Education (3)
Utah Code Waivers of participation based on religious belief (53G-10-205)
Constitutional Law-Religious Liberty (Article I, Section 4)
Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962)
Responsibility to Educate your Child
Utah Code Policy for Utah's Public Education System 53E-2-201
Compulsory Education
Utah Code Truancy -- Notice of truancy -- Failure to cooperate with school authorities
(53G-6-203)
Utah Code Individual Freedom In Public Education (HB 427)
Utah Code Compulsory Education (53G-6-202)
Constitutional Law-Religious Liberty (Article I, Section 4)
Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962)
Report a Concern
The Public Education Hotline is maintained by the Internal Audit Department of the
Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and it is a venue for citizens, educators, employees,
and other stakeholders to report concerns related to any of the agencies governed
by or provided resources by the USBE. You can expect a response within 3 business
days.
Where Should I Start?
If an EMERGENCY or a CRISIS, contact, 911, SAFE-UT or your local law enforcement!
OR for questions about the process, your rights as a parent, contact the Parent Liaison
at the Utah State Board of Education:
Cassie Hays, M. Ed.
Parent Liaison and Engagement Education Specialist
Utah State Board of Education
cassie.hays@schools.utah.gov
801-538-7845
Public Education is governed both at the state and local levels, so it is important
to try and identify who has authority in the area where you have a question or a concern.
The document to the right will help you identify options when you have a concern;
many times, the best option is to Start Local.
Utah Schools Directory Includes public (district and charter) and private schools.
For concerns regarding Special Education and/or Alleged Educator Misconduct consider the following USBE resources:
Protection for Individuals Reporting Concerns?
The USBE and the Internal Audit Department are committed to protecting individuals
who report concerns. As requested, and to the extent allowed by law, we maintain the
confidentiality of anyone providing information. Utah law prohibits discharging, threatening,
or otherwise bringing a personal action against an employee who reports a violation
of law or waste of public funds, property, or manpower unless the employee knows the
report is malicious, false, or frivolous. Please see the Utah State Legislature Title 63G-2-305: Protected Records Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) concerning protected information,
including information for audit purposes, and Title 67-21: Utah Protection of Public Employees Act concerning the whistleblower protections.
Reporting a Concern
If you would like to report a concern (e.g., misuse of assets, funds, or resources;
non-compliance with regulations, policies or rules; fraud, waste, abuse or unethical
behavior) please contact the Internal Audit Department in one of the following ways:
- Fill out the Report a Concern Form (hosted by Qualtrics) by clicking the button below:
Report a Concern Form
- Call the dedicated phone number (801) 538-7813 (if we do not answer, please leave
a message and we will return your call within 3 business days).
- Send an email to audit@schools.utah.gov.
- Mail a concern to:
Utah State Board of Education
Internal Audit Department
Attention: Debbie Davis
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200
- Schedule an appointment to share your concern in person by emailing audit@schools.utah.gov.
To expedite a preliminary analysis of reported items, when you report a concern please
provide as much information and documentation as possible. This could include:
- Your name, e-mail, and phone number (reports of concerns may be anonymous to the extent
allowed by law)
- A detailed description of the concern, including any relevant laws, regulations, policies,
programs, etc., and if applicable, the source of the funds involved (e.g. federal,
state, other)
- The names and titles of the individuals involved with the concern
- The location and date where the concern occurred
- Additional information such as: other witnesses, supporting documents, evidence, etc.
For each concern received the Internal Audit Department will conduct a preliminary
analysis as directed by R277-123. The analysis includes consideration of relevant laws and rules, and entities with
authority to review the concern and take necessary action. This means a concern may
be referred to one or more entity; if referred, consideration of the concern will
be according to the policies and procedures of that entity.
Language Assistance
For translation in reading any page of this website, please utilize the language assistance
"Translate" drop down feature at the top right corner of the Utah State Board of Education
website.
USBE is also available to assist you in obtaining translation services for discussions
with your local schools. Please see our Title VI site to speak with our English Learners, immigrant and Refugee Director to learn how to
access those services.