Education, Administration

Rule R277-700

The Elementary and Secondary School Core Curriculum

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 34089
Filed: 09/15/2010 01:41:41 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to update information regarding high school requirements and testing. The Utah State Board of Education changed the graduation requirements effective beginning with the 2010-2011 school year. The Legislature recently made changes to the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS) testing requirements. The rule is amended to reflect current requirements.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments included revisions to definitions and to elementary, middle school, and high school education requirements.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)
• Subsection 53A-1-402(1)(b)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to state government. The amended rule reflects current requirements which do not include additional costs.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. Instruction in public schools will be consistent with the updated requirements which do not include additional costs.

small businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses. This rule and the amendments apply to public schools.

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. Teachers will instruct students consistent with the updated requirements which do not include additional costs.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Teachers will instruct students consistent with the updated requirements which do not include additional costs.

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:

11/01/2010

This rule may become effective on:

11/08/2010

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

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

R277-700-1. Definitions.

A. "Accredited" means evaluated and approved under the Standards for Accreditation of the Northwest [Association of Schools and Colleges]Accreditation Commission or the accreditation standards of the Board, available from the USOE Accreditation Specialist.

B. "Applied courses" means public school courses or classes that apply the concepts of Core subjects. Courses may be offered through Career and Technical Education or other areas of the curriculum.

C. "Basic skills course" means a subject which requires mastery of specific functions, including skills that prepare students for the future, and was identified as a course to be assessed under Section 53A-1-602.

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

E. "Career and Technical Education (CTE)" means organized educational programs or courses which directly or indirectly prepare students for employment, or for additional preparation leading to employment, in occupations, where entry requirements generally do not require a baccalaureate or advanced degree.

F. "Core Curriculum content standard" means a broad statement of what students enrolled in public schools are expected to know and be able to do at specific grade levels or following completion of identified courses.

G. "Core Curriculum criterion-referenced test (CRTs)" means a test to measure performance against a specific standard. The meaning of the scores is not tied to the performance of other students.

H. "Core Curriculum objective" means a focused description of what students enrolled in public schools are expected to know and do at the completion of instruction.

I. "Core subjects" means courses for which there is a declared set of Core curriculum objectives as approved by the Board.

J. "Demonstrated competence" means subject mastery as determined by school district standards and review. School district review may include such methods and documentation as: tests, interviews, peer evaluations, writing samples, reports or portfolios.

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

L. "High school" for purposes of this rule means grades 9-12 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist.

M. "Individualized Education Program (IEP)" means a written statement for a student with a disability that is developed, reviewed, and revised in accordance with the Utah Special Education Rules and Part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

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

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

[P. "Norm-referenced test" means a test where the scores are based on comparisons with a nationally representative group of students in the same grade. The meaning of the scores is tied specifically to student performance relative to the performance of the students in the norm group under very specific testing conditions.

Q]P. "SEOP" means student education occupation plan. An SEOP shall include:

(1) a student's education occupation plans (grades 7-12) including job placement when appropriate;

(2) all Board and local board graduation requirements;

(3) evidence of parent, student, and school representative involvement annually;

(4) attainment of approved workplace skill competencies; and

(5) identification of post secondary goals and approved sequence of courses.

[R]Q. "State Core Curriculum (Core Curriculum)" means those standards of learning that are essential for all Utah students, as well as the ideas, concepts, and skills that provide a foundation on which subsequent learning may be built, as established by the Board.

[S]R. "Supplemental courses" means public school courses that provide students with the skills to succeed in Core subject areas.

[T]S. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

[U]T. "Utah Basic Skills Competency Test (UBSCT)" means a test to be administered to Utah students beginning in the tenth grade (suspended through at least the 2011-2012 school year) to include, at a minimum, components on English, language arts, reading and mathematics. Utah students shall satisfy the requirements of the UBSCT in addition to school or district graduation requirements prior to receiving a basic high school diploma unless exempted consistent with Section 53A-1-603(5) and R277-705-11.

 

R277-700-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Article X, Section 3 of the Utah Constitution, which places general control and supervision of the public schools under the Board; Section 53A-1-402(1)(b) and (c) which directs the Board to make rules regarding competency levels, graduation requirements, curriculum, and instruction requirements; Section 53A-1-402.6 which directs the Board to establish a Core Curriculum in consultation with local boards and superintendents and directs local boards to design local programs to help students master the Core Curriculum; 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 the minimum Core Curriculum requirements for the public schools, to give directions to local boards and school districts about providing the Core Curriculum for the benefit of students, and to establish responsibility for mastery of Core Curriculum requirements.

 

R277-700-3. Core Curriculum Standards and Objectives.

A. The Board establishes minimum course description standards and objectives for each course in the required general core, which is commonly referred to as the Core Curriculum.

B. Course descriptions for required and elective courses shall be developed cooperatively by school districts and the USOE with opportunity for public and parental participation in the development process.

C. The descriptions shall contain mastery criteria for the courses, shall stress mastery of the course material and Core objectives, standards and life skills consistent with the Core Curriculum and Life Skills document. Mastery shall be stressed rather than completion of predetermined time allotments for courses.

D. Implementation of the Core Curriculum and student assessment procedures are the responsibility of local boards of education consistent with state law.

E. This rule shall apply to students in the 2007-2008 graduating class.

 

R277-700-4. Elementary Education Requirements.

A. The Board shall establish a Core Curriculum for elementary schools, grades K-6.

B. Elementary School Education Core Curriculum Content Area Requirements:

(1) Grades K-2:

(a) Reading/Language Arts;

(b) Mathematics;

(c) Integrated Curriculum.

(2) Grades 3-6:

(a) Reading/Language Arts;

(b) Mathematics;

(c) Science;

(d) Social Studies;

(e) Arts:

(i) Visual Arts;

(ii) Music;

(iii) Dance;

(iv) Theatre.

(f) Health Education;

(g) Physical Education;

(h) Educational Technology;

(i) Library Media.

C. It is the responsibility of the local boards of education to provide access to the Core Curriculum to all students.

D. Student mastery of the general Core Curriculum is the responsibility of local boards of education.

E. Informal assessment should occur on a regular basis to ensure continual student progress.

F. Board-approved CRT's shall be used to assess student mastery of the following:

(1) reading;

(2) language arts;

(3) mathematics;

(4) science in elementary grades 4-6; and

(5) effectiveness of written expression in grade 6.

[G. Norm-referenced tests shall be given to all elementary students in grades 3 and 5.

H]G. Provision for remediation for all elementary students who do not achieve mastery is the responsibility of local boards of education.

 

R277-700-5. Middle School Education Requirements.

A. The Board shall establish a Core Curriculum for middle school education.

B. Students in grades 7-8 shall earn a minimum of 12 units of credit to be properly prepared for instruction in grades 9-12.

C. Local boards may require additional units of credit.

D. Grades 7-8 Core Curriculum Requirements and units of credit:

[(1) General Core (10.5 units of credit):

]([a]1) Language Arts (2.0 units of credit);

([b]2) Mathematics (2.0 units of credit);

([c]3) Science (1.5 units of credit);

([d]4) Social Studies (1.5 units of credit);

([e]5) The Arts (1.0 units of credit):

([i]a) Visual Arts;

([ii]b) Music;

([iii]c) Dance;

([iv]d) Theatre.

([f]6) Physical Education (1.0 units of credit);

([g]7) Health Education (0.5 units of credit);

([h]8) Career and Technical Education, Life, and Careers (1.0 units of credit)[;].

[(i) Educational Technology (credit optional);

(j) Library Media (integrated into subject areas).]E. Best practices, technology and other instructional media shall be used in middle school curricula to increase the relevance and quality of instruction.

[E]F. Board-approved CRT's shall be used to assess student mastery of the following:

(1) reading;

(2) language arts;

(3) mathematics; and

(4) science in grades 7 and 8.[

F. Norm-referenced tests shall be given to all middle school students in grade 8.]

 

[ R277-700-6. High School Requirements (Effective for Students Graduating Through the 2009-2010 School Year).

A. The Board shall establish a Core Curriculum for students in grades 9-12.

B. Students in grades 9-12 shall earn a minimum of 15 Board-specified units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with R277-705.

C. Grades 9-12 Core Curriculum as specified:

(1) Language Arts (3.0 units of credit);

(2) Mathematics (2.0 units of credit):

(a) minimally, Elementary Algebra or Applied Mathematics I; and

(b) Geometry or Applied Mathematics II; or

(c) any Advanced Mathematics courses in sequence beyond (a) and (b);

(d) high school mathematics credit may not be earned for courses in sequence below (a).

(3) Science (2.0 units of credit from two of the four science areas):

(a) Earth Systems Science (1.0 units of credit);

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

(c) Chemistry (1.0 units of credit);

(d) Physics (1.0 units of credit).

(4) Social Studies (2.5 units of credit):

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

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

(c) U.S. History (1.0 units of credit);

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

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

(a) Visual Arts;

(b) Music;

(c) Dance;

(d) Theatre;

(6) Physical and Health Education (2.0 units of credit):

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

(7) Career and Technical Education (1.0 units of credit);

(a) Agriculture;

(b) Business;

(c) Family and Consumer Sciences;

(d) Health Science and Technology;

(e) Information Technology;

(f) Marketing;

(g) Technology and Engineering Education;

(h) Trade and Technical Education.

(8) Educational Technology:

(a) Computer Technology (0.5 units of credit for the class by this specific name only); or

(b) successful completion of Board-approved competency examination (credit may be awarded at the discretion of the school or school district).

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

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

(11) Board-approved CRT's shall be used to assess student mastery of the following subjects:

(a) reading;

(b) language arts through grade 11;

(c) mathematics as defined under R277-700-7C(2);

(d) science as defined under R277-700-7C(3); and

(e) effectiveness of written expression in grade 9.

D. Local boards shall require students to earn a minimum of 24 units of credit in grades 9-12 for high school graduation.

(1) If a local board requires students to register for more than 24 units in grades 9-12, one-third of those credits above 24 shall be in one or more of the academic areas of math, language arts, world languages, science, or social studies, as determined by the local board.

(2) Local boards may require students to earn credits for graduation that exceed minimum Board requirements.

E. Students with disabilities served by special education programs may have changes made to graduation requirements through individual IEPs to meet unique educational needs. A student's IEP shall document the nature and extent of modifications, substitutions or exemptions made to accommodate a student with disabilities.

 

] R277-700-[ 7 ] 6 . High School Requirements[ (Effective for Graduating Students Beginning with the 2010-2011 School Year) ].

A. The Board shall establish a Core Curriculum for students in grades 9-12.

B. [Beginning with the graduating class of 2011, s]Students in grades 9-12 shall earn a minimum of [18]24 [Board-specified] units of credit through course completion or through competency assessment consistent with R277-705 to graduate.

C. Grades 9-12 Core Curriculum credits from courses approved by the Board, as specified:

(1) Language Arts (4.0 units of credit):

(a) Ninth grade level (1.0 unit of credit);

(b) Tenth grade level (1.0 unit of credit);

(c) Eleventh grade level (1.0 unit of credit); and

(d) Twelfth grade level (1.0) Unit of credit) consisting of [A]applied or advanced language arts credit [(1.0 unit of credit)] from the list of Board-approved courses[, determined by the local board and approved by USOE,] using the following criteria and consistent with the student's SEOP:

(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; and

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

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

(iv) courses provide developmentally appropriate content; and

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

[(2) Mathematics (3.0 units of credit) met minimally through successful completion of three units of credit of mathematics including Elementary Algebra and Geometry; and mathematics in grades 9-12 selected from the Core courses or applied or supplemental courses from the list of courses determined by the local board and approved by USOE using the following criteria and consistent with the student's SEOP:](2) Mathematics (3.0 units of credit) met minimally through successful completion of the foundation courses, Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2.

(a) Students may opt out of Algebra 2 with written parent/legal guardian request. If an opt out is requested, the third math credit shall come from the advanced and applied courses on the Board-approved mathematics list.

(b) If credit for a foundation course is earned before ninth grade, the student shall still earn 3.0 units of credit by taking other courses from the foundation, advanced and applied Board-approved mathematics list consistent with the student's SEOP and the following criteria:

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

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

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

(iv) courses provide developmentally appropriate content; and

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

(c) Students should consider taking additional credits during their senior year that align with their postsecondary career or college expectations. Students who desire a four year college degree in a science, technology, engineering or mathematics (STEM) career area should take a calculus course.

(3) Science (3.0 units of credit):

(a) at a minimum, two courses from the four science foundation areas:

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

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

(iii) Chemistry (1.0 units of credit);

(iv) Physics (1.0 units of credit); and

(b) one additional unit of credit from the foundation courses or the applied or advanced science list determined by the local board and approved by [USOE]Board using the following criteria and consistent with the student's SEOP:

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

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

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

(iv) courses provide developmentally appropriate content; and

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

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

(4) Social Studies ([2.5]3.0 units of credit):

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

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

(c) U.S. History (1.0 units of credit);

(d) U.S. Government and Citizenship (0.5 units of credit)[.];

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

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

(a) Visual Arts;

(b) Music;

(c) Dance;

(d) Theatre;

(6) Physical and Health Education (2.0 units of credit):

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

(7) Career and Technical Education (1.0 units of credit):

(a) Agriculture;

(b) Business;

(c) Family and Consumer Sciences;

(d) Health Science and Technology;

(e) Information Technology;

(f) Marketing;

(g) Technology and Engineering Education;

(h) Trade and Technical Education.

(8) Educational Technology (0.5 units of credit):

(a) Computer Technology (0.5 units of credit for the class by this specific name only); or

(b) successful completion of Board-approved competency examination (credit may be awarded at the discretion of the school or school district).

[(9) General Financial Literacy (0.5 units of credit).

]([10]9) Library Media Skills (integrated into the subject areas).

(10) Electives (6.0 units of local board-approved credit).

D. Board-approved CRT's shall be used to assess student mastery of the following subjects:

(1) reading;

(2) language arts through grade 11;

(3) mathematics as defined under R277-700-7C(2);

(4) science as defined under R277-700-7C(3); and

(5) effectiveness of written expression in grade 9.

[E. Local boards shall require students to earn a minimum of 24 units of credit in grades 9-12 for high school graduation.

F]E. Local boards may require students to earn credits for graduation that exceed minimum Board requirements.

[G]F. Elective courses offerings [may]shall be established and offered at the discretion of the local board.

[H]G. Students with disabilities served by special education programs may have changes made to graduation requirements through individual IEPs to meet unique educational needs. A student's IEP shall document the nature and extent of modifications, substitutions or exemptions made to accommodate a student with disabilities.

[I]H. The Board and USOE may review local boards' lists of approved courses for compliance with this rule.

[J]I. Graduation requirements may be modified for individual students to achieve an appropriate route to student success when such modifications:

(1) are consistent with the student's IEP or SEOP or both;

(2) are maintained in the student's file and include the parent's/guardian's signature; and

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

 

R277-700-8. Student Mastery and Assessment of Core Curriculum Standards and Objectives.

A. Student mastery of the Core Curriculum at all levels is the responsibility of local boards of education.

B. Provisions for remediation of secondary students who do not achieve mastery is the responsibility of local boards of education under Section 53A-13-104.

C. Students who are found to be deficient in basic skills through U-PASS shall receive remedial assistance according to provisions of Section 53A-1-606(1).

D. If parents object to portions of courses or courses in their entirety under provisions of law (Section 53A-13-101.2) and rule (R277-105), students and parents shall be responsible for the mastery of Core objectives to the satisfaction of the school prior to promotion to the next course or grade level.

E. Students with Disabilities:

(1) All students with disabilities served by special education programs shall demonstrate mastery of the Core Curriculum.

(2) If a student's disabling condition precludes the successful demonstration of mastery, the student's IEP team, on a case-by-case basis, may provide accommodations for or modify the mastery demonstration to accommodate the student's disability.

F. Students may demonstrate competency to satisfy course requirements consistent with R277-705-3.

G. All Utah public school students shall participate in state-mandated assessments, as required by law unless specifically exempted consistent with R277-705-11.

H. Utah public school students shall participate in the Utah Basic Skills Competency Test, as defined under R277-700-1U unless specifically exempted consistent with R277-705-11.

I. School and school districts are ultimately responsible for and shall submit all required student assessments irrespective of allegations of intentional or unintentional violations of testing security or protocol.

 

KEY: curricula

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [March 10, 2009]2010

Notice of Continuation: January 8, 2008

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