DAR File No. 27706

Education, Administration

R277-411

Elementary School Accreditation

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 27706
Filed: 02/15/2005, 04:39
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to add and clarify definitions and update accreditation practices. The amendments also clarify that accreditation for Utah public elementary schools is not required.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments add definitions and clarify that accreditation for Utah public elementary schools is not required.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsection 53A-1-402(1)(c)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. In practice, accreditation of public elementary schools has been optional and few schools have sought accreditation.

local governments:

There are no anticipated cost or savings to local government. In practice, accreditation of public elementary schools has been optional and few schools have sought accreditation.

other persons:

There are no anticipated cost or savings to other persons. Only schools seek accreditation.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Only schools seek accreditation.

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:

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 clear@usoe.k12.ut.us

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:

03/31/2005

This rule may become effective on:

04/01/2005

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Coordinator School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-411. Elementary School Accreditation.

R277-411-1. Definitions.

[B]A. "Accreditation" means formal Northwest and Board approval of a school that has met standards considered by the Board to be essential for the operation of a quality school program.

[A]B. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

C. "Elementary school" for the purpose of this rule means grades K-6 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exists.

D. "Northwest" means the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, the regional accrediting association of which Utah is a member.[

C. "State Committee" means the State Elementary Accreditation Committee.]

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

R277-411-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized under Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, by Section 53A-1-402(1)(c) which directs the Board to adopt rules for school accreditation, 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:

(1) specify the standards and procedures by which elementary schools may become accredited by Northwest, the USOE, and the Board; and

(2) establish an accreditation program of appropriate and high standards of attainment to assist schools in maintaining and improving education programs.

R277-411-3. Elementary School Accreditation[ Classifications; Reports].

[A. The state accreditation program for elementary schools has two classification categories: accredited and non-accredited. An accreditation rating continues from year to year unless evaluation data, the annual report, and on-site visits justify a change in rating.

B. Within the accredited classification are the following ratings:

(1) fully approved: the school is in compliance with minimum standards. This rating does not infer that improvement cannot be made.

(2) approved with comment: one or two deviations from the standards have appeared for the first time or there are deviations of a minor nature;

(3) approval with advice: the school deviates substantially from one or more standards or no observable effort has been made in the second year to correct deviations from a standard upon which comment was previously made. Approved with comment does not necessarily precede approved with advice;

(4) approved with warning: a serious deviation from one or more standards exists. This rating is usually issued after a school has received the advised or comment status and no improvement is shown. A school may be dropped from fully approved to warned when, in the opinion of the State Committee, the violation is such that it shall not be allowed to persist beyond the current year. If a warned status is recommended by the State Committee, a special meeting shall be held with local school officials prior to making a final recommendation.

C. Schools on warned status may be dropped to a non-accredited status unless significant progress toward overcoming deviations is shown on the next report. An accredited school may not be dropped to a non-accredited status without first receiving a warned status.

D. Deviations from accreditation standards because of hardship, for the purposes of pilot programs and experimentation, or for other reasons may be approved upon proper written application to the State Committee.

E. All accredited elementary schools shall submit an annual accreditation report to the USOE in the fall.]A. Elementary schools desiring accreditation shall be members of Northwest and meet the standards required for such accreditation as outlined in R277-413.

B. The accreditation of Utah elementary schools is optional; interested elementary schools may apply to Northwest for accreditation.

C. Accreditation shall take place under the direction of the USOE acting as an agent for Northwest.

D. The accreditation status and date of most recent accreditation of the school shall be available from the USOE upon request.

[R277-411-4. Procedures for Evaluation and Classification.

A. The evaluation of an elementary school for purposes of accreditation and classification is a cooperative activity in which the school, the local district, and the USOE share the major responsibility. Basic to the operation of the program is self-evaluation and self-initiated improvement on the part of the individual school.

B. The procedures for elementary school accreditation are as follows:

(1) application for accreditation is voluntary;

(2) a school planning for accreditation must submit a formal application to the USOE;

(3) school personnel may request the state specialist for accreditation to meet with them in an orientation session to discuss accreditation standards and evaluation procedures;

(4) a school shall complete a self-evaluation. The school may use one of the following documents for its self-evaluation or other means approved by the State Committee:

(a) Evaluative Criteria for Elementary Schools in Utah, Utah State Board of Education, Revised, 1977;

(b) Elementary School Evaluative Criteria, National Study of School Evaluation, Second Edition.

(5) a school, in coordination with the State Committee, sets a date for a two day on-site evaluation by a team appointed by the State Committee. The on-site visit takes place after the self-evaluation is completed and prior to April 15. The visiting team represents a cross section of professional educators from throughout the state and staff members from the USOE. The school staff may recommend individuals to serve on the visiting team.

(6) written evaluation results from the on-site visit and other pertinent information, including the self-evaluation, are presented to the State Committee. After review of all information, the State Committee makes a recommendation to the Board relative to an accreditation status. The Board is the final accrediting authority.

(7) continuing accreditation is subject to a review of annual reports by the State Committee, and to periodic visits by representatives of the State Committee.

(8) annual reports for purposes of accreditation are due to the school district office by February 1 of each year and to the USOE by February 15.

R277-411-5. Accreditation Standard I: The Education Program.

A. An elementary school shall develop a written philosophy of education consistent with the goals and priorities of the local board of education and the Board. It shall be implemented by specific objectives which delineate the purposes and scope of the school's education program.

B. A school shall conduct a balanced learning program for its students in accordance with the state program of studies for elementary school and district policies.

C. Activities which are an outgrowth of the instruction program shall be available to permit students to perform, lead, and follow on an individual and group basis. Approved activities include government, festivals, assemblies, programs, and physical fitness exercises.

D. A school shall continuously examine its philosophy and objectives and evaluate its instruction program to ensure that basic understanding and skills are learned, maintained, and strengthened.

R277-411-6. Accreditation Standard II: The Staff; School Atmosphere.

A(1) All professional personnel shall hold a valid certificate for the position for which employed. The credentials and assignment of each staff member shall be included on the initial accreditation report. On succeeding reports, only staff members who do not meet the certification standard for the positions they fill are required on the report.

(2) teaching loads shall not be excessive and assignments shall be consistent with teacher preparation, experience, and interests. There shall be a planned teacher supervision program. There shall be positive and wholesome teacher-administrator and teacher-pupil relationships.

(3) there shall be no more than normal turnover in the school. Excessive turnover of teachers may be found to exist in schools of 10 or fewer teachers if the rate exceeds 50 percent and in schools of more than 30 teachers if it exceeds 25 percent.

B. Pupil support services shall be available to the elementary school and shall include adequate secretarial assistance, aides, custodial services, lunchroom personnel, and bus drivers.

C. Orientation programs shall be developed for staff new to a school or the district. Formal and informal educational experiences shall be available for new and continuing staff members, including district in-service workshops, curriculum development activities, state workshops, and university workshops.

D. The school shall conduct an effective public relations program to improve school atmosphere. Pupil behavior shall reflect a sound education program.

E. Positive and negative aspects of school atmosphere shall be reported in the annual accreditation report in a narrative form. Extenuating circumstances which may clarify negative factors may be included in the narrative. Indications of school atmosphere shall be evaluated within the school building, on the playground, on locations of school-sponsored activities, and on school transportation facilities.

R277-411-7. Accreditation Standard III: Instructional Media.

A. Media shall be used as specific tools of instruction to aid in the achievement of specific curricular aims and unit objectives.

(1) teachers shall be aware of available media and be familiar with proper techniques for their use;

(2) equipment shall be kept in good operating condition. Instruction and assistance shall be provided in the proper utilization and operation of equipment;

(3) all available materials shall be catalogued and indexed.

B(1) A school shall have an instructional media center which shall be used as the hub of instruction in the school. It shall be appropriate and adequate for the number of students enrolled. The area housing the collection of materials in the media center shall provide:

(a) a display area such as bulletin boards or cases;

(b) a means to circulate materials;

(c) a properly maintained and integrated card catalog or comparable electronic alternative;

(d) a processing area for receiving and processing materials;

(e) sufficient shelving or storage facilities to make all materials and equipment readily available to students and faculty;

(f) vertical filing facilities for unbound reference materials;

(g) seating and study facilities which can be used to accommodate at least the largest class in the school, small study groups, or individual study; and

(h) office space for media personnel.

(2) the instructional media center staff shall instruct students in the use of the center and shall schedule time for class research and individual study.

(3) all materials shall be properly inventoried and catalogued. A shelf list of all titles shall be maintained. Proper storage and filing spaces shall be provided for current and back copies of periodicals.

(4) the instructional media center shall maintain an adequate balance of all types of media materials. The distribution of periodicals shall be such that all instruction areas of the school are adequately served.

(5) "The Guidelines for the Development of an Instructional Media System, Part IV" shall be used as an evaluative instrument in examining current status, identifying critical needs, and establishing long and short range goals for a school's media center.

C. School personnel shall be familiar with and follow state laws and Board rules in regard to the adoption of texts from the state adopted textbook list. There shall be evidence of teacher involvement in the evaluation and selection of textbooks on the local level. Adequate funds shall be allocated to purchase textbooks and other learning materials needed for the school. Each student shall be provided with texts and learning materials to satisfy individual needs and abilities in all areas of curriculum.

D. Adequate supplies shall be available for the instructional needs of the curriculum.

R277-411-8. Accreditation Standard IV: Pupil Personnel Services.

A. A pupil personnel director shall coordinate and supervise pupil personnel services. Counseling and social services shall be available to the school as needed. Approved pupil personnel services include resource programs, guidance and counseling, psychological services, psychometric services, pupil accounting, social work, school health services, and identification and diagnostic services for special education programs.

B. Pupil personnel services shall be continuously evaluated and improved.

C. A school shall have a planned program orienting individuals and groups to new education situations and experiences in the school.

R277-411-9. Accreditation Standard V: Administration.

A. The principal is the chief administrator of the school. The principal shall:

(1) serve as instructional leader and curriculum consultant;

(2) serve as coordinator of pupil personnel services and as a counselor to students;

(3) assist the district superintendent in selecting and assigning the staff to the school and make recommendations concerning continued employment or reassignment of the school's teachers;

(4) orient the professional staff to and require compliance with school, district, Board, state, and federal laws, rules, and policies;

(5) be responsible for student placement, safety and health, control and discipline, and student accounting;

(6) provide an adequate system of reporting and interpreting student progress and the school program to parents and patrons;

(7) be responsible for the operation and management of the school plant;

(8) be responsible for securing, caring for, and disbursing equipment and school supplies; and

(9) provide overall management for the school and school programs, including completing district, state and federal reports.

B. Supervisory functions performed in the school through the administration shall include:

(1) participating with district personnel in organizing workshops, in-service training programs, inter-school visits, conferences, and individual and school research programs;

(2) assisting teachers in daily instruction activities as needed;

(3) assisting teachers in diagnosing needs and providing programs to meet the needs of individual children;

(4) assisting teachers in understanding and using course guides;

(5) observing and evaluating teacher performance, custodians, lunch personnel, and other school staff;

(6) providing professional and resource materials for staff;

(7) having knowledge of school, district, state, and federal programs;

(8) assisting the staff in self-evaluation; and

(9) performing other supervisory duties assigned by the local board or the district superintendent.

C. Student Records

(1) Complete student permanent records shall be kept where they are protected by a fireproof vault, safe, or filing cabinet.

(2) A duplicate set of records shall be kept in a separate place if fireproof storage is not available.

(3) When a student transfers to another school, a copy of the student's permanent records and other useful data shall be forwarded promptly to the new school upon parental request.

D. An annual inventory of school equipment, supplies, and books shall be maintained.

R277-411-10. Accreditation Standard VI: School Plant.

A. The school plant shall be consistent with the philosophy of the school and facilitate the meeting of student needs.

B. Buildings and classrooms shall provide for the school's program. Space shall allow for a variety of classroom and extra-class experiences, recreational uses, and community activities. The plant shall provide adequate illumination, water, heat, ventilation, and sanitation services. It shall be designed, equipped, inspected, and maintained in compliance with required safety standards.

C. Administrative space shall be used for:

(1) meeting the pupils and the public;

(2) conferences;

(3) routine office work;

(4) inside and outside communications; and

(5) keeping and filing records.

D. The school food service areas shall be adequate in size and designed to meet the needs of the program. The facility shall be functional, aesthetic, safe, sanitary, well-maintained, and provide for efficient operation of the program.]

KEY: accreditation

[1987]2005

Notice of Continuation September 12, 2002

Art X Sec 3

53A-1-402(1)(c)

53A-1-401(3)

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For questions regarding the content or application of this rule, please contact Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at clear@usoe.k12.ut.us

For questions about the rulemaking process, please contact the Division of Administrative Rules (801-538-3764). Please Note: The Division of Administrative Rules is NOT able to answer questions about the content or application of these administrative rules.