No. 38111 (Amendment): Rule R277-497. School Grading System

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 38111
Filed: 11/08/2013 11:03:20 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide a new definition consistent with the requirement of S.B. 271, passed in the 2013 General Legislative Session, to clarify school grading indicators, and to provide definitions and terminology changes to make the rule consistent with other rules.

Summary of the rule or change:

A new definition is provided; changes to language for school grading indicators are provided; unnecessary language is removed.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53A-1-1113
• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. The amendments to the rule provide changes to school grading indicators which do not result in a cost or savings.

local governments:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to local government. The amendments to the rule provide changes to school grading indicators which do not result in a cost or savings.

small businesses:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. This rule and the amendments apply to public education and do not affect businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. The amendments to the rule provide changes to school grading indicators which do not result in a cost or savings.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. The amendments to the rule provide changes to school grading indicators which do not result in a compliance cost.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses.

Martell Menlove, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

12/31/2013

This rule may become effective on:

01/07/2014

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-497. School Grading System.

R277-497-1. Definitions.

A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

B. "LEA" means a local education agency, including local school boards/public school districts, charter schools, and, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

C. "Sufficient student growth" as determined by the Board, means a student growth percentile of 40 or above.

 

R277-497-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Section 53A-1-1113 which directs the Board to adopt rules to implement a school grading system, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to provide consistent definitions, standards and procedures for LEAs to report school data through a school grading system.

 

R277-497-3. Board Responsibilities.

A. Beginning in the 2012-2013 school year, the Board shall implement a school grading system (A,B,C,D,F). The school grading system report provided by the Board shall include the following [elements]indicators:

[ (1) A report of school academic performance in language arts, writing, math, and science expressed in a grading system (A,B,C,D,F), for academic achievement including:

]([a]1) student[ assessed] proficiency on the Board-approved grade/subject level assessments in language arts, math and science[, and];

([b]2) [student assessed]sufficient student growth[.]; and

[ (2) Academic achievement shall be based on:

(a) student performance on the Board-approved grade/subject level assessments, and

] ([b]3) [college and career readiness indicators, such as]for high schools:

(a) graduation rates[.]; and

(b) beginning in the 2013-14 school year, ACT scores.

B. [The Board shall use generally accepted standards of validity and reliability to determine the appropriate requirements for letter grades that combine to make up a school report through the school grading system.]School letter grades shall be determined as follows:

(1) 80 - 100 percent A;

(2) 70 - 79 percent B;

(3) 60 - 69 percent C;

(4) 50 - 59 percent D; and

(5) below 50 percent F.

C. Beginning with the 2012-2013 school year data, the Board shall:

(1) implement a school grading system that makes data and reports available to parents, educators and the public. The report shall include the elements described in R277-497-3A.

(2) School data and reports shall be available to parents, educators and the public through a public website that facilitates the comparison of public schools based on the school grading system and demographics.

D. The Board-implemented school grading system shall include test scores for students with disabilities consistent with the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), 20 U.S.C. 1401(3).

[E. After the 2012-2013 school year, the Board shall:

(1) seek and review evaluation information on the calculations and methodologies used to determine academic achievement reports and consider modifications to refine and improve the process and availability of the information.

]

R277-497-4. LEA Responsibilities.

A. LEAs shall provide accurate and timely data as required under R277-484 to allow for the development of the school reports.

B. LEAs shall use the school reports as a communication tool to inform parents and the community about school performance.

C. LEAs shall ensure that the school reports are available for all parents.

 

R277-497-5. School Responsibilities.

A. Schools shall provide data for the school reports as provided in R277-484.

B. Schools shall cooperate with the Board and LEAs to ensure that the school reports are available for all parents.

 

KEY: school reports, grading system

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [July 9, 2012]2014

Notice of Continuation: November 8, 2013

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X, Sec 3; 53A-1-1113; 53A-1-401(3)

 

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