DAR File No. 28809

Education, Administration

R277-705-3

District Policy Explaining Credits Earned and Reciprocity for Credit for Demonstrated Competency

NOTICE OF PROPOSED RULE

DAR File No.: 28809
Filed: 06/15/2006, 03:20
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This section is rewritten as a result of S.B. 56, 2006 General Session, that requires public schools to accept credit and grades from schools that have been accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools. (DAR NOTE: S.B. 56 (2006) is found at Chapter 227, Laws of Utah 2006, and was effective 05/01/2006.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The old Section R277-705-3 is deleted and a new Section R277-7053 is provided.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Subsections 53A-1-402(1)(b) and (c)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated cost or savings to state budget. Any related or speculative costs would be borne by individuals earning credits from private sources.

local governments:

There are no anticipated cost or savings to local entities or local school boards. Any related or speculative costs would be borne by individuals earning credits from private sources.

other persons:

Any cost/savings to individuals are are highly speculative. Individuals may now pay varying amounts to private education providers and expect to receive credit(s) toward graduation from public/charter high schools.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

Public schools will comply without additional costs. There are no direct or known costs for individuals.

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 carol.lear@schools.utah.gov

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:

07/31/2006

This rule may become effective on:

08/07/2006

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-705. Secondary School Completion and Diplomas.

[R277-705-3. District Policy Explaining Credits Earned and Reciprocity for Credit for Demonstrated Competency.

A. All Utah schools or school districts shall have a written policy explaining the process and standards for acceptance and reciprocity of credits earned by students.

(1) Policies need not repeat the requirements of state law or this rule.

(2) Policies shall provide a review process at the school or school district level for credit for demonstrated competency.

(3) Policies shall provide a review process for credit earned for home schooling. This provision does not require schools/school districts to grant credit for home school courses or programs.

B. Units of credit shall be awarded to students and be recorded on student transcripts for satisfaction of district-approved courses or subject matter.

C. Students may earn credit by any of the following methods, as designated by the school district policy:

(1) successful completion, as determined by the school district or school, of secondary school courses;

(2) successful completion, as determined by the school district or school, of concurrent enrollment classes consistent with Section 53A-17a-120 and R277-713;

(3) demonstrated competency, as determined by the school district or school;

(4) assessment, as determined by the school district or school;

(5) review of student work or projects consistent with school district or school procedures and criteria; and

(6) following successful completion, as determined by the school district or school, of correspondence or electronic coursework offered by accredited education institutions with prior approval by the school district or school to the extent practicable and consistent with other provisions of this rule.

D. School districts or schools shall designate by written policy at least four methods or credit-earning processes in addition to traditional public school courses by which students of the district may earn credit.

E. Schools shall accept credits from accredited secondary schools, accredited special purpose schools and the Utah Electronic High School.

F. Schools shall accept credits from supplemental education providers and other credit sources with written approval from the student's principal or designee consistent with R277-705-3D prior to program enrollment.

G. Credits earned from supplemental education providers:

(1) shall be aligned with state Core Curriculum;

(2) shall have course content that matches Core course requirements; and

(3) shall have end of course tests that meet or exceed school district assessments.

H. Grades from supplemental education providers may be accepted, at the school/school district's discretion, as pass/fail grades.

I. Credits accepted consistent with R277-705-3E and F shall be recognized as original credit earned for specific courses, including Core courses. For instance, a tenth grade language arts course taken from an accredited provider, consistent with this rule and school district policy, shall count for tenth grade language arts for high school graduation.

J. School districts may not waive credits required for graduation, but may, consistent with this rule and documentation available to the district, grant credit based on demonstrated competency, assessment, or mastery.

K. School districts may require documentation of compliance with Section 53A-11-102 prior to reviewing student home school or competency work, testing, or materials.

L. A school district or school has the final decision-making authority for the awarding of credit consistent with state law, due process, and this rule.]

R277-705-3. Required School District Policy Explaining Student Credit.

A. All Utah school districts or schools and charter schools shall have a policy, approved in an open meeting by the governing board, explaining the process and standards for acceptance and reciprocity of credits earned by students in accordance with Utah state law. Policies shall provide for specific and adequate notice to students and parents of all policy requirements and limitations.

B. School districts and schools shall adhere to the following standards for credits or coursework from schools, supplemental education providers accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools, and accredited distance learning schools:

(1) Public schools shall accept credits and grades awarded to students from schools or providers accredited by the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools or approved by the Board without alteration.

(2) School district or school policies may establish reasonable timelines and may require adequate and timely documentation of authenticity for credits and grades submitted.

C. School district or school policies shall provide various methods for students to earn credit from non-accredited sources, course work or education providers. Methods, as designated by the school district or school may include:

(1) Satisfaction of coursework by demonstrated competency, as evaluated at the school district or school level;

(2) Assessment as proctored and determined at the school or school level;

(3) Review of student work or projects by school or school district administrators; and

(4) Satisfaction of electronic or correspondence coursework, as approved at the school or school district level.

D. Schools/school districts may require documentation of compliance with Section 53A-11-102 prior to reviewing student home school or competency work, assessment or materials.

E. School/school district policies for participation in extracurricular activities, awards, recognitions, and enhanced diplomas may be determined locally consistent with the law and this rule.

F. A school district or school has the final decision-making authority for the awarding of credit and grades from non-accredited sources consistent with state law, due process, and this rule.

KEY: curricula

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [March 6, ]2006

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-402(1)(b); 53A-1-603 through 53A-1-611; 53A-1-401(3)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

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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 carol.lear@schools.utah.gov

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.