No. 41004 (New Rule): Rule R277-499. Seal of Biliteracy

(New Rule)

DAR File No.: 41004
Filed: 11/15/2016 01:46:14 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The purpose of this new rule is to provide procedures for a student who has achieved a level of proficiency in English and in a world language to have a Seal of Biliteracy placed electronically on the student's high school transcript.

Summary of the rule or change:

This new rule provides terms and procedures for a local education agency (LEA) to award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student who has achieved proficiency in English and intermediate-mid level or higher in one or more other world language.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-402(1)(b)
• Art X, Sec 3
• Section 53A-1-401

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

This new Rule R277-499 provides procedures for a student to earn and an LEA to award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student, which likely will not result in a cost or savings to the state budget.

local governments:

This new Rule R277-499 provides procedures for a student to earn and an LEA to award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student, which likely will not result in a cost or savings to local government.

small businesses:

This new Rule R277-499 provides procedures for a student to earn and an LEA to award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student, which likely will not result in a cost or savings to small businesses.

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

This new Rule R277-499 provides procedures for a student to earn and an LEA to award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student, which likely will not result in a cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This new Rule R277-499 provides procedures for a student to earn and an LEA to award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student, which likely will not result in any compliance costs for affected persons.

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

To the best of my knowledge, there should be no fiscal impact on businesses resulting from this new rule.

Sydnee Dickson, State Superintendent

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

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

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Angela Stallings at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7656, 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:

01/03/2017

This rule may become effective on:

01/10/2017

Authorized by:

Angela Stallings, Deputy Superintendent, Policy and Communication

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-499. Seal of Biliteracy.

R277-499-1. Authority and Purpose.

(1) This rule is authorized by:

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

(b) Section 53A-1-401, which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

(c) Section 53A-1-402(1)(b), which allows the Board to establish rules and minimum standards for graduation requirements.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to establish rules and procedures for a student to earn a Seal of Biliteracy in conjunction with a high school diploma.

 

R277-499-2. Definitions.

(1) "Intermediate-Mid" level means a level of language proficiency in terms of speaking, writing, listening, and reading in real-world situations in a spontaneous and non-rehearsed context, as established by the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages or tribal education directors.

(2) "Seal of Biliteracy " means a recognition, awarded in conjunction with a student's high school diploma, which certifies that a student is proficient in English and at Intermediate-Mid level or higher in one or more world languages.

(3) "World language" means a language other than English and includes:

(a) American Sign Language;

(b) American Native Languages, such as Navajo or Ute; and

(c) classical languages, such as Latin.

 

R277-499-3. Procedures for Award of Seal of Biliteracy.

(1)(a) An LEA may develop a local application process for a student who wishes to earn the Seal of Biliteracy.

(b) An LEA application process shall include procedures for:

(i) advertising the criteria for the Seal of Biliteracy;

(ii) tracking students who may qualify for the Seal of Biliteracy; and

(iii) documenting student progress.

(c) An LEA shall train counselors and world language coordinators to provide information on the application process to interested students.

(d) The Superintendent shall provide an application template which an LEA may use in the application process.

(2) An LEA may award the Seal of Biliteracy to a student who:

(a) demonstrates proficiency in an English assessment; and

(b) demonstrates a minimum of Intermediate Mid-level proficiency in a world language assessment.

(3)(a) The Superintendent shall maintain a list of acceptable national and international tests with qualifying scores to demonstrate proficiency as required by this rule.

(b) The Superintendent shall review and update the list provided by Subsection (3)(a) on a regular basis and publish the information on the Board's website.

(4) If a student meets the requirements of Subsection (2):

(a) the Superintendent shall place the Seal of Biliteracy electronically on the student's transcript; and

(b) an LEA may place a seal on the student's paper diploma.

 

KEY: biliteracy, seal, world languages

Date of Enactment of Last Substantive Amendment: 2017

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401; 53A-1-402(1)(b)

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