No. 42027 (Amendment): Rule R277-700. The Elementary and Secondary School General Core

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 42027
Filed: 08/15/2017 08:51:22 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Rule R277-700 is amended to provide flexibility to LEAs to establish junior high and middle school course requirements.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments to Rule R277-700 eliminate the requirement that students complete certain 7th and 8th grade courses before moving to high school but require LEAs to continue to offer the courses for students to enroll in. The amendments also allow LEAs to: 1) offer additional elective courses than those required in the rule; 2) require a student to complete additional courses; or 3) set minimum credit requirements.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53A-1-402
• Art X Sec 3
• Section 53A-1-401
• Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 12
• Section 53A-1-402.6
• Section 53A-13-109.5

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The amendments to Rule R277-700 will likely not result in a cost or savings to local government. While certain 7th and 8th grade courses are no longer required for students to complete before moving on to high school, LEAs will still be required to make the courses available to students. LEAs may also require additional courses.

local governments:

The amendments to Rule R277-700 will likely not result in a cost or savings to local government. While certain 7th and 8th grade courses are no longer required for students to complete before moving on to high school, LEAs will still be required to make the courses available to students. LEAs may also require additional courses.

small businesses:

The amendments to Rule R277-700 will likely not result in a cost or savings to small businesses. The amendments to this rule provide for more flexibility to students and LEAs on 7th and 8th grade course requirement and will not impact businesses.

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

The amendments to Rule R277-700 will likely not result in a cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. The amendments to this rule provide for more flexibility to students and LEAs on 7th and 8th grade course requirement and will not impact persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

The amendments to Rule R277-700 will likely not result in any compliance costs for affected persons. The amendments to this rule provide for more flexibility for students and LEAs to establish 7th and 8th grade course requirements.

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

After conducting a thorough analysis, it was determined that the amendments to this rule will not result in a fiscal impact to businesses.

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:

10/02/2017

This rule may become effective on:

10/09/2017

Authorized by:

Angela Stallings, Deputy Superintendent, Policy and Communication

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-700. The Elementary and Secondary School General Core.

R277-700-1. Authority and Purpose.

(1) This rule is authorized by:

(a) [Article X, Section 3, of the Utah Constitution, which places general control and supervision of the public schools under the Board]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;

([b]c) S[ubs]ection 53A-1-402[(1)], which directs the Board to make rules regarding competency levels, graduation requirements, curriculum, and instruction requirements;

([c]d) Section 53A-1-402.6, which directs:

(i) the Board to establish Core Standards in consultation with LEA boards and superintendents; and

(ii) [directs ]LEA boards to adopt local curriculum and to design programs to help students master the General Core;

([d]e) Title 53A, Chapter 1, Part 12, Career and College Readiness Mathematics Competency, which directs the Board to establish college and career mathematics competency standards; and

([e]f) Section 53A-13-109.5, which requires the Board to provide rules related to a basic civics test[; and

(f) 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].

(2) The purpose of this rule is to specify the minimum Core Standards and General Core requirements for the public schools, and to establish responsibility for mastery of Core Standard requirements.

 

R277-700-2. Definitions.

For purposes of this rule:

(1)(a) "Applied course" means a public school course or class that applies the concepts of a Core subject.

(b) "Applied course" includes a course offered through Career and Technical Education or through other areas of the curriculum.

(2) "Assessment" means a summative computer adaptive assessment for:

(a) English language arts grades 3 through 11;

(b) mathematics grades 3 through 8, and Secondary I, II, and III; or

(c) science grades 4 through 8, earth science, biology, physics and chemistry.

(3) "Career and Technical Education(CTE)" means an organized educational program or course which directly or indirectly prepares students for employment, or for additional preparation leading to employment, in an occupation, where entry requirements generally do not require a baccalaureate or advanced degree.

(4) "Core Standard" means a statement of what a student enrolled in a public school is expected to know and be able to do at a specific grade level or following completion of an identified course.

(5) "Core subject" means a course for which there is a declared set of Core Standards as approved by the Board.

(6) "Elementary school" for purposes of this rule means a school that serves grades K-6 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist.

(7) "General Core" means the courses, content, instructional elements, materials, resources and pedagogy that are used to teach the Core Standards, including the ideas, knowledge, practice and skills that support the Core Standards.

(8) "High school" for purposes of this rule means a school that serves grades 9-12 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist.

(9) "LEA" or "local education agency" includes the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

(10) "Life Skills document" means a companion document to the Core Standards that describes the knowledge, skills, and dispositions essential for all students; the life skills training helps students transfer academic learning into a comprehensive education.

(11) "Middle school" for purposes of this rule means a school that serves grades 7-8 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist.

(12) "Summative adaptive assessment" means an assessment that:

(a) is administered upon completion of instruction to assess a student's achievement;

(b) is administered online under the direct supervision of a licensed educator;

(c) is designed to identify student achievement on the Core Standards for the respective grade and course; and

(d) measures the full range of student ability by adapting to each student's responses, selecting more difficult questions when a student answers correctly and less difficult questions when a student answers incorrectly.

(13) "World language" means the same as that term is defined in Section R277-499-2.

 

R277-700-3. General Core and Core Standards.

(1) The Board establishes minimum course description standards for each course in the required General Core.

(2)(a) The Superintendent shall develop, in cooperation with LEAs, course descriptions for required and elective courses.

(b) The Superintendent shall provide parents and the general public an opportunity to participate in the development process of the course descriptions described in Subsection (2)(a).

(3)(a) The Superintendent shall ensure that the courses described in Subsection (2):

(i) contain mastery criteria for the courses; and

(ii) stress mastery of the course material, Core Standards, and life skills consistent with the General Core and Life Skills document.

(b) The Superintendent shall place a greater emphasis on a student's mastery of course material rather than completion of predetermined time allotments for courses.

(4) An LEA board shall administer the General Core and comply with student assessment procedures consistent with state law.

 

R277-700-4. Elementary Education Requirements.

(1) The Core Standards and a General Core for elementary school students in grades K-6 are described in this section.

(2) The following are the Elementary School Education Core Subject Requirements:

(a) English Language Arts;

(b) Mathematics;

(c) Science;

(d) Social Studies;

(e) Arts:

(i) Visual Arts;

(ii) Music;

(iii) Dance; or

(iv) Theatre;

(f) Health Education;

(g) Physical Education;

(h) Educational Technology; and

(i) Library Media.

(3) An LEA board shall provide access to the General Core to all students within the LEA.

(4) An LEA board is responsible for student mastery of the Core Standards.

(5) An LEA shall conduct informal assessments on a regular basis to ensure continual student progress.

(6) An LEA shall use Board-approved summative adaptive assessments to assess student mastery of the following:

(a) reading;

(b) language arts;

(c) mathematics;

(d) science; and

(e) effectiveness of written expression in grades five and eight.

(7) An LEA shall provide remediation to elementary students who do not achieve mastery of the subjects described in this section.

 

R277-700-5. Middle School Education Requirements.

(1) The Core Standards and a General Core for middle school students are described in this section.

(2) A student in grades 7-8 is required to [earn a minimum of 12 units of credit]complete the courses described in Subsection (3) to be properly prepared for instruction in grades 9-12.

[(3) In addition to the Board requirements described in this section, an LEA board may require a student to complete additional units of credit.

]([4]3) The following are the Grades 7-8 General Core Requirements[and units of credit]:

(a) Grade 7 Language Arts[(2.0 units of credit)];

(b) Grade 8 Language Arts;

([b]c) Grade 7 Mathematics[(2.0 units of credit)];

(d) Grade 8 Mathematics;

([c]e) Grade 7 Integrated Science[(2.0 units of credit)];

(f) Grade 8 Integrated Science;

([d]g) [Social Studies (1.5 units of credit)]United States History; and

(h) Utah History.

[(e) The Arts (1.0 units of credit from the following):

(i) Visual Arts;

(ii) Music;

(iii) Dance; or

(iv) Theatre.

(f) Physical Education (1.0 units of credit);

(g) Health Education (0.5 units of credit);

(h) College and Career Awareness (1.0 units of credit); and

(i) beginning no later than the 2018 - 2019 school year, Digital Literacy (0.5 units of credit).]

(4) An LEA board shall provide access to the General Core to all students within the LEA.

(5) An LEA shall conduct informal assessments on a regular basis to ensure continual student progress.

(6) An LEA shall provide remediation to middle school students who do not achieve mastery of the subjects described in Subsection (3).

([5]7) An LEA shall use evidence-based best practices, technology, and other instructional media in middle school curricula to increase the relevance and quality of instruction.

([6]8) An LEA shall use Board-approved summative adaptive assessments to assess student mastery of the following:

(a) reading;

(b) language arts;

(c) mathematics; and

(d) science[in grades 7 and 8].

(9) An LEA shall offer, by making the course available through the registration process, the following courses aligned with Core Standards for students in grades 7 and 8:

(a) at least two of the following arts courses:

(i) Visual Arts;

(ii) Music;

(iii) Dance;

(iv) Theatre; or

(v) Media Arts;

(b) Physical Education;

(c) Health Education;

(d) College and Career Awareness; and

(e) beginning no later than the 2018-19 school year:

(i) Digital Literacy; and

(ii) at least one of the World Languages.

(10) An LEA may integrate one or more of the courses if the LEA ensures all Core Standards from each course are taught in entirety.

(11) At the discretion of the LEA board, an LEA board may:

(a) offer additional elective courses;

(b) require a student to complete additional courses; or

(c) set minimum credit requirements.

 

R277-700-6. High School Requirements.

(1) The General Core and Core Standards for students in grades 9-12 are described in this section.

(2) A student in grades 9-12 is required to earn a minimum of 24 units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with R277-705 to graduate.

(3) The General Core credit requirements from courses approved by the Board are described in Subsections (4) through (18).

(4) Language Arts (4.0 units of credit from the following):

(a) Grade 9 level (1.0 unit of credit);

(b) Grade 10 level (1.0 unit of credit);

(c) Grade 11 level (1.0 unit of credit); and

(d) Grade 12 level (1.0 Unit of credit) consisting of applied or advanced language arts credit from the list of Board-approved courses using the following criteria and consistent with the student's [SEOP/]Plan for College and Career Readiness:

(i) courses are within the field/discipline of language arts with a significant portion of instruction aligned to language arts content, principles, knowledge, and skills;

(ii) courses provide instruction that leads to student understanding of the nature and disposition of language arts;

(iii) courses apply the fundamental concepts and skills of language arts;

(iv) courses provide developmentally appropriate content; and

(v) courses develop skills in reading, writing, listening, speaking, and presentation.

(5) Mathematics (3.0 units of credit) shall be met minimally through successful completion of a combination of the foundation or foundation honors courses, Secondary Mathematics I, Secondary Mathematics II, and Secondary Mathematics III.

(6)(a) A student may opt out of Secondary Mathematics III if the student's parent submits a written request to the school.

(b) If a student's parent requests an opt out described in Subsection (6)(a), the student is required to complete a third math credit from the Board-approved mathematics list.

(7) A 7th or 8th grade student may earn credit for a mathematics foundation course before 9th grade, consistent with the student's [SEOP/]Plan for College and Career Readiness if:

(a) the student is identified as gifted in mathematics on at least two different [USOE]Board-approved assessments;

(b) the student is dual enrolled at the middle school/junior high school and the high school;

(c) the student qualifies for promotion one or two grade levels above the student's age group and is placed in 9th grade; or

(d) the student takes the [USOE]Board competency test in the summer prior to 9th grade and earns high school graduation credit for the course.

(8) A student who successfully completes a mathematics foundation course before 9th grade is required to earn 3.0 units of additional mathematics credit by:

(a) taking the other mathematics foundation courses described in Subsection (5); and

(b) an additional course from the Board-approved mathematics list consistent with:

(i) the student's [SEOP/]Plan for College and Career Readiness; and

(ii) the following criteria:

(A) courses are within the field/discipline of mathematics with a significant portion of instruction aligned to mathematics content, principles, knowledge, and skills;

(B) courses provide instruction that lead to student understanding of the nature and disposition of mathematics;

(C) courses apply the fundamental concepts and skills of mathematics;

(D) courses provide developmentally appropriate content; and

(E) courses include the five process skills of mathematics: problem solving, reasoning, communication, connections, and representation.

(9) A student who successfully completes a Calculus course with a "C" grade or higher has completed mathematics graduation requirements, regardless of the number of mathematics credits earned.

(10) Science (3.0 units of credit):

(a) shall be met minimally through successful completion of 2.0 units of credit from two of the following five science foundation areas:

(i) Earth Science (1.0 units of credit);

(A) Earth Science;

(B) Advanced Placement Environmental Science; or

(C) International Baccalaureate Environmental Systems;

(ii) Biological Science (1.0 units of credit);

(A) Biology;

(B) Human Biology;

(C) Biology: Agricultural Science & Technology;

(D) Advanced Placement Biology;

(E) International Baccalaureate Biology; or

(F) Biology with Lab Concurrent Enrollment;

(iii) Chemistry (1.0 units of credit);

(A) Chemistry;

(B) Advanced Placement Chemistry;

(C) International Baccalaureate Chemistry; or

(D) Chemistry with Lab Concurrent Enrollment;

(iv) Physics (1.0 units of credit);

(A) Physics;

(B) Physics with Technology;

(C) Advanced Placement Physics (1, 2, C: Electricity and Magnetism, or C: Mechanics);

(D) International Baccalaureate Physics; or

(E) Physics with Lab Concurrent Enrollment; or

(v) Computer Science (1.0 units of credit):

(A) Advanced Placement Computer Science;

(B) Computer Science Principles; or

(C) Computer Programming II; and

(b) one additional unit of credit from:

(i) the foundation courses described in Subsection(10)(a); or

(ii) the applied or advanced science list:

(A) determined by the LEA board; and

(B) approved by the Board using the following criteria and consistent with the student's [SEOP/]Plan for College and Career Readiness:

(i) courses are within the field/discipline of science with a significant portion of instruction aligned to science content, principles, knowledge, and skills;

(ii) courses provide instruction that leads to student understanding of the nature and disposition of science;

(iii) courses apply the fundamental concepts and skills of science;

(iv) courses provide developmentally appropriate content;

(v) courses include the areas of physical, natural, or applied sciences; and

(vi) courses develop students' skills in scientific inquiry.

(11) Social Studies (3.0 units of credit) shall be met minimally through successful completion of:

(a) 2.5 units of credit from the following courses:

(i) Geography for Life (0.5 units of credit);

(ii) World Civilizations (0.5 units of credit);

(iii) U.S. History (1.0 units of credit); and

(iv) U.S. Government and Citizenship (0.5 units of credit);

(b) Social Studies (0.5 units of credit per LEA discretion); and

(c) a basic civics test or alternate assessment described in R277-700-8.

(12) The Arts (1.5 units of credit from any of the following performance areas):

(a) Visual Arts;

(b) Music;

(c) Dance; or

(d) Theatre.

(13) Physical and Health Education (2.0 units of credit from any of the following):

(a) Health (0.5 units of credit);

(b) Participation Skills (0.5 units of credit);

(c) Fitness for Life (0.5 units of credit);

(d) Individualized Lifetime Activities (0.5 units of credit); or

(e) team sport/athletic participation (maximum of 0.5 units of credit with school approval).

(14) Career and Technical Education (1.0 units of credit from any of the following):

(a) Agriculture;

(b) Business;

(c) Family and Consumer Sciences;

(d) Health Science and Technology;

(e) Information Technology;

(f) Marketing;

(g) Technology and Engineering Education; or

(h) Trade and Technical Education.

(15) Digital Studies (0.5 units of credit).

(16)Library Media Skills (integrated into the subject areas).

(17) General Financial Literacy (0.5 units of credit).

(18) Electives (5.5 units of credit).

(19) An LEA shall use Board-approved summative adaptive assessments to assess student mastery of the following subjects:

(a) reading;

(b) language arts through grade 11;

(c) mathematics as defined in Subsection (5); and

(d) science as defined in Subsection (10).

(20) An LEA board may require a student to earn credits for graduation that exceed the minimum Board requirements described in this rule.

(21) An LEA board may establish and offer additional elective course offerings at the discretion of the LEA board.

(22)(a) An LEA may modify a student's graduation requirements to meet the unique educational needs of a student if:

(i) the student has a disability; and

(ii) the modifications to the student's graduation requirements are made through the student's individual IEP.

(b) An LEA shall document the nature and extent of a modification, substitution, or exemption made to a student's graduation requirements described in Subsection (22)(a) in the student's IEP.

(23) The Board and Superintendent may review an LEA board's list of approved courses for compliance with this rule.

(24) An LEA may modify graduation requirements for an individual student to achieve an appropriate route to student success if the modification:

(a) is consistent with:

(i) the student's IEP; or

(ii) [SEOP/]Plan for College and Career Readiness;

(b) is maintained in the student's file;

(c) includes the parent's signature; and

(d) maintains the integrity and rigor expected for high school graduation, as determined by the Board.

 

R277-700-7. Student Mastery and Assessment of Core Standards.

(1) An LEA shall ensure students master the Core Standards at all levels.

(2) An LEA shall provide remediation for secondary students who do not achieve mastery [under]in accordance with Section 53A-13-104.

(3) An LEA shall provide remedial assistance to students who are found to be deficient in basic skills through a statewide assessment in accordance with[the provisions of] Subsection 53A-1-606(1).

(4) If a parent objects to a portion of a course or to a course in its entirety under [provisions of ]Section 53A-13-101.2 and R277-105, the parent shall be responsible for the student's mastery of Core Standards to the satisfaction of the school prior to the student's promotion to the next course or grade level.

(5)(a) A student with a disability served by a special education program is required to demonstrate mastery of the Core Standards.

(b) If a student's disability precludes the student from successfully mastering the Core Standards, the student's IEP team, on a case-by-case basis, may provide the student an accommodation for, or modify the mastery demonstration to accommodate, the student's disability.

(6) A student may demonstrate competency to satisfy course requirements consistent with R277-705-3.

(7) LEAs are ultimately responsible for and shall comply with all assessment procedures, policies and ethics as described in R277-404.

 

R277-700-8. Civics Education Initiative.

(1) For purposes of this section:

(a) "Student" means:

(i) a public school student who graduates on or after January 1, 2016; or

(ii) a student enrolled in an adult education program who receives an adult education secondary diploma on or after January 1, 2016.

(b) "Basic civics test" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53A-13-109.5.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (3), an LEA shall:

(a) administer a basic civics test in accordance with the requirements of Section 53A-13-109.5; and

(b) require a student to pass the basic civics test as a condition of receiving:

(i) a high school diploma; or

(ii) an adult education secondary diploma.

(3) An LEA may require a student to pass an alternate assessment if:

(a)(i) the student has a disability; and

(ii) the alternate assessment is consistent with the student's IEP; or

(b) the student is within six months of intended graduation.

(4) Except as provided in Subsection (5), the alternate assessment shall be given:

(a) in the same manner as an exam given to an unnaturalized citizen; and

(b) in accordance with 8 C.F.R. Sec. 312.2.

(5) An LEA may modify the manner of the administration of an alternate assessment for a student with a disability in accordance with the student's IEP.

(6) If a student passes a basics civics test or an alternate assessment described in this section, an LEA shall report to the Superintendent that the student passed the basic civics test or alternate assessment.

(7) If a student who passes a basic civics test or an alternate assessment transfers to another LEA, the LEA may not require the student to re-take the basic civics test or alternate assessment.

 

R277-700-9. College and Career Readiness Mathematics Competency.

(1) For purposes of this section, "senior student with a special circumstance" means a student who:

(a) is pursuing a college degree after graduation; and

(b) has not met one of criteria described in Subsection (2)(a) before the beginning of the student's senior year of high school.

(2) Except as provided in Subsection (4), in addition to the graduation requirements described in R277-700-6, beginning with the 2016-17 school year, a student pursuing a college degree after graduation shall:

(a) receive one of the following:

(i) a score of 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) calculus AB or BC exam;

(ii) a score of 3 or higher on an Advanced Placement (AP) statistics exam;

(iii) a score of 5 or higher on an International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level math exam;

(iv) a score of 50 or higher on a College Level Exam Program (CLEP) pre-calculus or calculus exam;

(v) a score of 26 or higher on the mathematics portion of the American College Test (ACT) exam;

(vi) a score of 640 or higher on the mathematics portion of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) exam; or

(vii) a "C" grade in a concurrent enrollment mathematics course that satisfies a state system of higher education quantitative literacy requirement; or

(b) if the student is a senior student with a special circumstance, take a full year mathematics course during the student's senior year of high school.

(3) Except as provided in Subsection (4), in addition to the graduation requirements described in R277-700-6, beginning with the 2016-17 school year, a non-college and degree-seeking student shall complete appropriate math competencies for the student's career goals as described in the student's [SEOP/]Plan for College and Career Readiness.

(4) An LEA may modify a student's college or career readiness mathematics competency requirement under this section if:

(a) the student has a disability; and

(b) the modification to the student's college or career readiness mathematics competency requirement is made through the student's IEP.

(5)(a) Beginning with the 2016-17 cohort, an LEA shall report annually to the LEA's governing board the number of students within the LEA who:

(i) meet the criteria described in Subsection (2)(a);

(ii) take a full year of mathematics as described in Subsection (2)(b);

(iii) meet appropriate math competencies as established in the students' career goals as described in Subsection (3); and

(iv) meet the college or career readiness mathematics competency requirement established in the students' IEP as described in Subsection (4).

(b) An LEA shall provide the information described in Subsection (5)(a) to the Superintendent by October 1 of each year.

 

KEY: standards, graduation requirements

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [June 21, 2016]2017

Notice of Continuation: August 14, 2017

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1- 402(1)(b); 53A-1-402.6; 53A - 1 - 401

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