Student and Family Rights Resources

Overview

Educators must create a safe learning environment conducive to the learning process, where students are accepted and valued as members of the school community with equal opportunities to contribute by creating conditions for meaningful participation.

The State Board enacted R277-328 Equal Opportunity in Education in April 2024. This rule aims to provide districts and charter schools with the standards for educators and professional learning regarding equal opportunities in education and prohibits discriminatory practices (See House Bill (H.B.) 261 Equal Opportunity Initiatives (2024)).

In classrooms with student discourse, differing opinions are inevitable and help students gain a deeper understanding of the ideas and perspectives of others. Active student discourse prepares students to participate in a democratic society. Educators may not ban discussions of events, ideas, attitudes, beliefs, or concepts in the marketplace of ideas or instruction regarding race, color, national origin, religion, disability, or sex if consistent with federal and state laws.

To support LEAs and educators in the successful implementation of this rule, the Teaching and Learning team has developed supportive resources for educators to help advance educational equity in every Utah classroom.

2024 USBE R277-328 Equal Opportunity in Education Requirements Checklist
2024 USBE Equal Opportunity in Education Compliance Agreement
Creating Collaborative Norms in the Classroom: The intended purpose of this resource is to provide educators with the tools necessary to construct a classroom culture with explicit norms and expectations for engagement and respectful participation. Respect means acknowledging differences by looking for the good in everyone, including oneself, and showing due regard for feelings, rights, cultures, and traditions (Utah’s Portrait of a Graduate, USBE, 2018).
Orchestrating Productive Classroom Discussions: When orchestrating productive, respectful, and safe classroom discussions, it is essential to have ground rules, language frames, and discussion protocols to support students. This document shares some sample ground rules, along with discussion language frames, and protocols to assist teachers in facilitating discussions.
Leadership for Respectful Classrooms and Productive Classroom Discussions: Recommendations for District, Charter, and School Leaders: This resource includes seven recommendations for district, charter, and school leaders to promote and support respectful classrooms and productive classroom discussions.
Utah Laws Recognizing Constitutional Freedoms in the Schools

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)

Race and Ethnicity Data

Civil Rights Data Collection (CRDC)
The CRDC collects a variety of information including student enrollment and educational programs and services, most of which is disaggregated by race/ethnicity, sex, limited English proficiency, and disability. The CRDC is a longstanding and important aspect of the United States Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights (OCR) overall strategy for administering and enforcing the civil rights statutes for which it is responsible. Information collected by the CRDC is also used by other education offices as well as policymakers and researchers outside of Education.

Graduation Authentication

Authentications.Utah.Gov
The Office of the Utah Lieutenant Governor

Guardianship of a Minor
Utah Juvenile Courts

Apostille or Non-Apostille Seals
Notary Division of the Governor's Office
Utah State Capital Complex, Suite 220
PO Box 142325
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
Phone: (801) 538-1041
Monday through Thursday
Hours: 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Processing and authentication of documents stop at 5:30 p.m.

Office for Civil Rights (OCR)
Region VIII (Denver Office)
United States Department of Education
Office for Civil Rights
Cesar East Chavez Memorial Building
1244 Speer Boulevard, Suite 310
Denver, CO 80204-3582
Phone: (303) 844-5695 | Fax: (303) 844-4303 | TDD: (877) 521-2172 | E-mail

Websites

American College Test (ACT)

ACT Test Accommodations and English Learner Supports
ACT Education Corp.

Center for Multicultural Health

Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)

Health Equity in Utah
Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Health Equity

Living Traditions Festival
Salt Lake City Arts Council

Multicultural Youth Leadership Program
Utah Department of Cultural and Community Engagement, Utah Division of Multicultural Affairs

Nepali-English Dictionary

A Practical Dictionary of Modern Nepali
Ruth Laila Schmidt (1994)

Other Resources

School Meals Model Application
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), Food and Nutrition Services

Refugee Resources
Asian Association of Utah

StopBullying.gov
United States Department of Health and Human Services

U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division

U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) Civil Rights Division | División de Derechos Civiles

The Civil Rights Division of the United States (U.S.) Department of Justice (DOJ) works to uphold the civil and constitutional rights of all persons in the U.S. The Division enforces federal statutes prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, and gender identity), disability, religion, familial status, national origin, and citizenship status.

Educational Opportunities Cases

Report a civil rights violation

Publications