Education, Administration

Rule R277-410

Accreditation of Schools

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 36600
Filed: 08/01/2012 03:34:15 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to provide new language regarding accreditation services. The member states of the Northwest Accreditation Commission have contracted with AdvancED to provide accreditation services to the member states. Additionally, language in three existing accreditation rules, R277-411, R277-412, and R277-413, has been incorporated into this rule. Rules R277-411, R277-412, and R277-413 will be repealed. (DAR NOTE: The proposed repeal of Rule R277-411 is under DAR No. 36601, the proposed repeal of Rule R277-412 is under DAR No. 36602, and the proposed repeal of Rule R277-413 is under DAR No. 36603 in this issue, August 15, 2012, of the Bulletin.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments to this rule include adding and changing definitions, adding AdvancED throughout the rule as appropriate, and adding new sections to the rule from existing accreditation rules which are being repealed.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)
• Subsection 53A-1-402(1)(c)(i)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to the state budget. Fees for accreditation services are assessed to individual schools.

local governments:

There will be costs and savings to local government. Under Northwest, individual schools paid a minimum annual membership fee plus an additional amount based on student numbers for accreditation and related reviews and services. Small schools paid less; large schools paid more. AdvancED Northwest has is a flat annual membership fee for all schools. Small schools will now pay more; large schools will now pay less than previously. Specific information about costs is not available at this time.

small businesses:

There will be some cost to nonpublic schools that are also small businesses. Nonpublic private schools that seek accreditation will now pay the higher flat fee under AdvancED Northwest.

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

There is no anticipated cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. This rule and the amendments apply to schools.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Although AdvancED Northwest accredited schools are subject to compliance requirements, accreditation status, not cost is a consequence of noncompliance.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and agree that there will be as yet unknown costs to small businesses seeking AdvancED Northwest accreditation due to the changes in the accreditation process.

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 [email protected]

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:

09/14/2012

This rule may become effective on:

09/21/2012

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-410. Accreditation of Schools.

R277-410-1. Definitions.

A. "Accreditation" means the formal process for [evaluation]internal and external review and approval under the Standards for [Accreditation of] the Northwest Accreditation Commission[ or the accreditation standards of the Board, available from the Utah State Office of Education Accreditation Specialist], a division of Advance Education Inc., (AdvancED).

B. "AdvancED" means the provider of accreditation services based on standards, student performance and stakeholder involvement and is a nonprofit resource offering school improvement and accreditation services to education providers.

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

[C]D. "Elementary school" for the purpose of this rule means grades [K-6 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exists]no higher than grade 6.

E. "Junior high school" for purposes of this rule means grades 7 through 9.

[D]F. "Middle school" for the purpose of this rule means grades [7-8 in whatever kind of school the grade levels exist]no lower than grade 5 and no higher than grade 8 in any combination.

[E]G. "Northwest" means the Northwest Accreditation Commission, the regional accrediting association of which Utah is a member. Northwest is an accreditation division of AdvancED.

[F]H. "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.

I. "State Council" means the State Accreditation Council, which is composed of 15- 20 public school administrators, school district personnel, private and special purpose school representatives, and USOE personnel. The members are selected to provide statewide representation and volunteer their time and service.

[G]J. "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 or sought voluntarily and for nonpublic schools which voluntarily request AdvancED 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 R277-410-1[F]H, [including]and all charter schools, consistent with R277-481-3A(2), shall be members of AdvancED Northwest and be accredited by AdvancED 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 AdvancED Northwest and meet the requirements of R277-[413]410-5 and R277-410-6. AdvancED Northwest accreditation is optional for Utah elementary and middle schools.

D. All AdvancED Northwest accredited schools shall complete [the annual accreditation report] and file[ the] report s in accordance with [USOE procedures]AdvancED Northwest protocols.

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. Accreditation Status; Reports.

A. The Board accepts the AdvancED Northwest Standards for Quality Schools as the basis for its accreditation standards for school accreditation.

B. The Board requires Utah public schools seeking accreditation to satisfy additional specific Utah assurances in addition to required AdvancED Northwest standards.

C. A school shall complete reports as required by AdvancED Northwest and submit the report to the appropriate recipients.

D. A school shall have a complete school evaluation and site visit at least once every five years to maintain its accreditation.

E. The USOE may require on-site visits as often as necessary when it receives notice of accreditation problems, as determined by the USOE, AdvancED Northwest, or its State Council.

F. The school's accreditation status is recommended by the State Council following a review of the report of the school's External Review. Final approval of the status is determined by the AdvancED Commission and approved by the Board.

 

R277-410-5. Accreditation Procedures.

A. The evaluation of secondary schools for the purpose of accreditation is a cooperative activity in which the school, the school district, the USOE, and AdvancED Northwest share responsibilities. A school's internal review, development, and implementation of a school improvement plan are crucial steps toward accreditation.

B. A school seeking AdvancED Northwest accreditation for the first time shall submit a membership application to AdvancED. The accepted application shall be forwarded to the AdvancED State Director.

(1) Following a visit by at least two qualified educators verifying a school's compliance with accreditation standards and approval by the AdvancED Commission, the school shall then receive accreditation.

C. AdvancED Northwest accredited schools shall be subject to:

(1) compliance with AdvancED Northwest membership requirements;

(2) satisfactory review by the State Council, AdvancED Northwest Commission and Board approval;

(3) a site visit at least every five years by an external review team to review the internal review materials, visit classes, and talk with staff and students as follows:

(a) The external review team shall present its finding in the form of a written report in a timely manner. The report shall be provided to the school, school district superintendent or local charter board chair, and other appropriate parties.

(b) AdvancED staff shall review the external review team report, consult with the State Council and the AdvancED Commission shall grant accreditation status if appropriate.

D. Following review and acceptance, accreditation external review team reports are public information and are available upon request.

 

R277-410-6. Elementary School Accreditation.

A. Elementary schools desiring accreditation shall be members of AdvancED Northwest and meet the standards required for such accreditation as outlined in this rule.

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

C. Accreditation shall take place under the direction of AdvancED Northwest.

 

R277-410-7. Junior High and Middle School Accreditation.

A. Junior high and middle schools desiring accreditation shall be members of AdvancED Northwest and meet the standards required for such accreditation as outlined in this rule.

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

C. Public junior high and middle schools that include grade 9 shall be members of AdvancED Northwest and be visited and assigned status by Advanced Northwest.

D. The AdvancED Northwest accreditation standards provided in this rule are applicable to junior high and middle schools in their entirety if the schools include grade 9 consistent with R277-410-6C.

 

R277-410-8. Board Accreditation Standards.

A. Board accreditation standards include AdvancED Standards for Quality Schools and Utah-specific requirements. Each standard requires the school to respond to a series of indicator statements and provide evidence of compliance as directed.

B. AdvancED Standards for Quality Schools.

(1) Purpose and Direction

(2) Governance and Leadership

(3) Teaching and Assessing for Learning

(4) Resources and Support Systems

(5) Using Results for Continuous Improvement

C. Utah-specific assurances include essential information sought from schools to demonstrate alignment with Utah law and Board rules. Utah-specific assurances are available from the USOE Teaching and Learning Section.

 

R277-410-[4]9. 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]2012

Notice of Continuation: August 1, 2012

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