Skip to Content
Utah.gov

Utah Administrative Code

The Utah Administrative Code is the body of all effective administrative rules as compiled and organized by the Division of Administrative Rules (Subsection 63G-3-102(5); see also Sections 63G-3-701 and 702).

Download the RTF file

Rule R277-410. Accreditation of Schools.

As in effect on August 1, 2009

Table of Contents

R277-410-1. Definitions.

A. "Accreditation" means the formal process for evaluation and approval under the Standards for Accreditation of the Northwest Association of Accredited Schools or the accreditation standards of the Board, available from the Utah State Office of Education Accreditation Specialist.

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. "Middle school" for the purpose of this rule means grades 7-8 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist.

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

F. "Secondary school" for the purpose of this rule means a school that includes grades 9-12 that offers credits toward high school graduation or diplomas or both in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist.

G. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

R277-410-2. 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)(i) 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 specify accreditation procedures and responsibility for public schools for which accreditation is required and for nonpublic schools which voluntarily request Northwest accreditation.

R277-410-3. Accreditation of Public Schools.

A. The USOE has responsibility to facilitate accreditation by the Board for Utah public schools. The Board is not responsible for the accreditation of nonpublic schools, including private, parochial, or other independent schools.

B. Utah public secondary schools, as defined in R277-410-1F, including charter schools, shall be members of Northwest and be accredited by Northwest, except as exempted by R277-412-3C and R277-413-3K.

C. Utah public elementary and middle schools, as defined in R277-410-1C and D, including charter schools, that desire accreditation shall be members of Northwest and meet the requirements of R277-413. Northwest accreditation is optional for Utah elementary and middle schools.

D. All Northwest accredited schools shall complete the annual accreditation report and file the report in accordance with USOE procedures.

E. If a school includes grade levels for which accreditation is both mandatory and optional, the school shall be accredited in its entirety.

R277-410-4. Transfer or Acceptance of Credit.

A. Utah public schools shall accept transfer credits from accredited secondary schools consistent with R277-705-3.

B. Utah public schools may accept transfer credits from other credit sources consistent with R277- 705-3.

KEY

accreditation, public schools, nonpublic schools

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment

August 8, 2006

Notice of Continuation

September 6, 2007

Authorizing, Implemented, or Interpreted Law

Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-402(1)(c); 53A-1-401(3)

Rule converted into HTML by the Division of Administrative Rules.

For questions regarding the content or application of rules under Title R277, please contact the promulgating agency (Education, Administration). A list of agencies with links to their homepages is available at http://www.utah.gov/government/agencylist.html or from http://www.rules.utah.gov/contact/agencycontacts.htm.

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 rules.

The HTML version of this rule is a convenience copy made available on the Internet as a public service. Please see the State of Utah Terms of Use.