No. 27307 (Amendment): R277-725. Electronic High School

DAR File No.: 27307
Filed: 07/15/2004, 04:40
Received by: NL

 

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide for an electronic high school diploma once a student has satisfied the high school graduation requirements established by the State Board of Education.

 

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments provide for eligibility criteria, graduation criteria, and standards for awarding of diplomas. Other changes are nonsubstantive.

 

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsection 53A-1-401(3) and Section 53A-17a-131.15

 

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

Minimal or no costs to the state to provide for electronic high school diploma.

 

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs to school districts. Diplomas will be issued by the state.

 

other persons:

This rule requires no costs for individual students or parents except, perhaps, a minimal fee for a paper diploma.

 

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This rule requires no compliance costs for affected persons except, perhaps, a minimal fee to students or parents for a paper diploma.

 

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. Patti Harrington, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

 

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:

08/31/2004

 

This rule may become effective on:

09/01/2004

 

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Coordinator School Law and Legislation

 

 

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-725. Electronic High School.

R277-725-1. Definitions.

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

B. "Electronic high school" means a rigorous program offering 9-12 grade level courses delivered over the Internet and coordinated by the USOE.

C. "Home-schooled student" means a student who attends no more than two regularly scheduled classes or courses in a public school per semester as defined under Section 53A-11-102.

[C]D. "Open entry/open exit" means:

(1) a method of instructional delivery that allows for flexible scheduling in response to individual student needs or requirements and demonstrated competency when knowledge and skills have been mastered; and

(2) students have the flexibility to begin or end study at any time, progress through course material at their own pace, and demonstrate competency when knowledge and skills have been mastered.

[D]E. "Unit of credit" means credit awarded for courses taken with school district/school approval and successfully completed by students. A student may also earn units of credit by demonstrating subject mastery through district/school approved methods.

[E]F. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

 

R277-725-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of the public schools in the Board, Section 53A-1-401(3) which authorizes the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities, and Section 53A-17a-131.15 which directs the Board to have a rule for distribution of funds for the electronic high school program.

B. The purpose of this rule is to provide minimum standards, definitions, and procedures for distribution of funds and coordination of the electronic high school program.

 

R277-725-3. Electronic High School Funding.

A. Funds appropriated by the Legislature for the electronic high school program shall be distributed by the Utah State Office of Education.

B. The Utah State Office of Education may designate a fiscal agent to pay teachers' salaries, course development fees, software licensing fees, and accreditation dues.

 

R277-725-4. Courses and Credit.

A. Curriculum, course offerings and course availability shall be determined by the USOE Electronic High School Principal following consultation with school district personnel and USOE specialists to determine demand and curriculum requirements.

B. Courses shall be offered in an open-entry open-exit format.

C. Courses shall be designed to be competency-based, with no specific student seat time requirement. (Historically, the average course takes the average student 175 to 200 hours to successfully complete a one-credit course).

D. Credits that students earn through the electronic high school shall be accepted by schools or school districts consistent with this rule.

 

R277-725-5. Student Eligibility for Enrollment.

A. There are no age or grade restrictions for Utah students to enroll in electronic high school courses.

B. Students are accepted into electronic high school courses on a first-come first-served basis.

C. A student may register for electronic high school course(s) following approval from the student's residence area secondary school counselor, consistent with the student's SEP/SEOP.

D. The school counselor shall assist students in evaluating courses required for and offered through the electronic high school.

 

R277-725-6. Electronic High School Services to Students with Disabilities.

Students with disabilities who may need additional services or resources and who seek to enroll in electronic high school classes may request appropriate accommodations through the students' assigned schools or school districts.

 

R277-725-7. Student Fees or Tuition.

A. Electronic high school courses are provided to students who are Utah residents, as defined under Section 53A-2-201(1), free of charge.

B. Non-resident students may enroll in electronic high school courses for a fee of $100 per course per semester provided that the course can accommodate additional students.

 

R277-725-8. Teacher Requirements and Payments.

A. All electronic high school teachers are licensed Utah educators consistent with Section 53A-6.

B. Electronic high school teachers are paid a salary determined by the electronic high school salary schedule and negotiated to the extent necessary with the USOE Electronic High School Principal.

C. All electronic high school teachers shall be subject to laws and administrative rules for Utah educators, including the state and federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act, Sections 53A-13-301 and 302, and 20 U.S.C. Section 1232g and 34 C.F.R. Part 99; child abuse reporting requirements; and Professional Standards for Utah Educators, R686-103.

 

R277-725-9. Electronic High School Diploma.

A. Three types of students may be eligible for an electronic high school diploma:

(1) a home-schooled student;

(2) a student who has dropped out of school as defined under R277-419 and whose original high school class has graduated; and

(3) a student who is identified by his resident school district as ineligible for graduation from a traditional high school program for specific reasons.

B. Graduation criteria

(1) Students shall satisfy all requirements established by R277-700 for a high school diploma.

(2) Students who seek an electronic high school diploma shall be required to satisfy the requirements of the Participation Skills and Techniques and Individualized Lifetime Activity courses which are Core classes required for high school graduation. Students may satisfy course requirements through district-approved activities outside of the Electronic High School program.

C. Awarding of diplomas

(1) Diplomas shall be awarded to electronic high school graduates at least annually.

(2) An annual commencement program may be offered by the USOE. Electronic high school graduates may voluntarily participate.

D. Additional provisions

(1) The USOE shall provide graduation information upon request to interested prospective graduates.

(2) The USOE and resident school district personnel shall assist prospective graduates, to the extent of resources available, with transcript evaluation and suggestions for completing graduation requirements required beyond the electronic high school curriculum.

 

KEY: electronic high school

[April 15, ]2004

Art X Sec 3

53A-1-401(3)

53A-17a-131.15