Education, Administration

Rule R277-463

Class Size Reporting

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Repeal and Reenact)

DAR File No.: 33741
Filed: 06/15/2010 07:07:59 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

S.B. 56, 2010 Legislative Session, provides for changes in the Utah State Office of Education's calculations of class size averages and pupil-teacher ratios. Because the changes are significant and now require pupil-teacher ratios, the previous rule is being repealed and reenacted. (DAR NOTE: S.B. 56 (2010) is found at Chapter 206, Laws of Utah 2010, and was effective 05/11/2010.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The repealed rule provides procedures for reporting class size for elementary and secondary grades that are no longer adequate under new law. The reenacted rule provides procedures for calculating class size averages and pupil-teacher ratios consistent with the amended law.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 53A-3-602.5
• Section 53A-1-301
• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. The Utah State Office of Education will calculate class size averages and pupil-teacher ratios consistent with state law. Any minimal workload increases will be absorbed by the Utah State Office of Education.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. School districts and charter schools currently report student enrollment data to the Utah State Office of Education that allows for calculations under S.B. 56. They will continue to report student enrollment data. Data will be used in a different formula and resulting information will be consistent with state law.

small businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses. The rule applies to public school districts and charter schools only.

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

There are no anticipated costs or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. The requirements of the rule affect school districts and charter schools.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

School districts and charter schools currently report student enrollment data to the Utah State Office of Education that allows for calculations under S.B. 56. They will continue to report student enrollment data. Data will be used in a different formula and resulting information will be consistent with state law.

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.

Larry K. Shumway, State Superintendent

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 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:

08/02/2010

This rule may become effective on:

08/09/2010

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

[ R277-463. Class Size Reporting.

R277-463-1. Definitions.

A. "Individual class" means a group of students organized for instruction and assigned to one or more teachers or other staff members for a designated time period. A class may meet multiple periods during the school day or multiple terms during the school year or both and still shall be considered a single class for purposes of class size reporting.

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

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

 

R277-463-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which places general control and supervision of the public school system under the Board, Section 53A-17a-124.5(7)(b) which directs the Board to establish uniform class size reporting rules for school districts 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 establish uniform class size reporting rules, including definitions, codes and a state-wide reporting timeline.

 

R277-463-3. Reporting for Elementary Grades K Through 6.

A. The enrollment of each individual class in the elementary grades shall be reported using a designated code number for the appropriate grade level.

B. Code numbers for grade levels shall be designated by the USOE Finance Section.

 

R277-463-4. Reporting for Secondary Grades 7 Through 12.

A. The enrollment of each individual class in the secondary grades shall be reported using a designated code number for the appropriate class.

B. Code numbers for approved classes shall be designated by the USOE Finance Section.

C. Student enrollment in released time, advisory, teacher aide classes or in any classes not defined by the State Superintendent of Public Instruction shall not be reported.

 

R277-463-5. Enrollment Reporting Format and Timeline.

A. Student enrollment shall be reported in an electronic format approved by the USOE Finance Section.

B. District classroom enrollment reports shall be based on the enrollment as of October 1 and shall be received by the USOE by November 1.]

R277-463. Class Size Average and Pupil-Teacher Ratio Reporting.

R277-463-1. Definitions.

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

B. "Course" means the subject matter taught to students.

(1) Elementary courses are designated by grade level.

(2) Secondary courses are determined by course content.

C. "ESL" means English as a Second Language.

D. "Individual class" means a group of students organized for instruction and assigned to one or more teachers or other staff members for a designated time period. A class may include students from multiple grades or may include students taking multiple courses and still shall be considered a single class for purposes of class size reporting. An individual class shall be determined from course data submitted to the USOE using a combination of course elements such as CACTUS identification number, teacher of record, class period, term of student enrollment, and course cycle.

E. "LEA" means a school district or charter school.

F. "Pupil" means a student enrolled in a public school as of October 1 of the reported school year.

G. "Teacher" for purposes of this rule means a full-time equivalent licensed educator, such as a regular classroom teacher, a school-based specialist, and a special education teacher.

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

 

R277-463-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which places general control and supervision of the public school system under the Board, Section 53A-1-301 which directs the Board to report average class sizes and pupil-teacher ratios, Section 53A-3-602.5 which directs the Board to establish rules for uniform class size reporting, 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 establish uniform class size and pupil-teacher ratio reporting procedures, including definitions and codes.

 

R277-463-3. Class Size Average for Elementary Classes.

A. LEAs shall report student level course data providing sufficient course information to determine the number of students in individual classes. Classes with students in multiple grades shall be calculated as one class. Extended day classes in which one portion of the class arrives early and the other portion stays late will be calculated as one class.

B. Average class size shall be calculated by grade. Special education, ESL, online, and other non-traditional classes shall be excluded from class size average calculations.

C. State- and district-level class sizes shall be derived from the median of school-level class sizes.

 

R277-463-4. Class Size Average for Secondary Classes.

A. LEAs shall report student level course data providing sufficient course information to determine the number of students in individual classes. Classes including students enrolled in multiple courses shall be calculated as one class.

B. Average class size shall be calculated for core language arts, mathematics, and science courses. Special education, ESL, online, and other non-traditional classes will be excluded from class size averages.

C. State- and district-level class sizes shall be derived from taking the median of school-level class sizes.

 

R277-463-5. Pupil-Teacher Ratio Calculation.

A. Pupil-teacher ratios shall be calculated by school. The pupil-teacher ratio for each school shall be calculated by dividing the number of enrolled pupils by the number of full-time equivalent teachers assigned to the school.

B. District-level ratios shall be derived by taking the median of school-level ratios.

C. State-level ratios for charter schools and traditional schools shall be derived from taking the median of school-level ratios.

 

R277-463-6. Reporting Format and Timeline.

School, district and state-level ratios and class size averages shall be reported to the public as required under Section 53A-1-301.

 

KEY: public schools, enrollment reporting, class size average reporting; pupil-teacher ratio reporting

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [1994]2010

Notice of Continuation: September 3, 2009

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; [ 53A-17a-124(7)(b); ] 53A-1-301; 53A-3-602.5; 53A-1-401(3)