DAR File No. 38434

Education, Administration

Section R277-410-5

Accreditation Procedures

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 38434
Filed: 04/15/2014 03:28:26 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to allow for a provisional status for new Utah schools requesting accreditation.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments provide language for provisional status for accreditation for Utah charter schools and districts schools in schools' first two years of operation.

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:

This rule is amended to allow for provisional status for new Utah schools requesting accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to the state budget.

local governments:

This rule is amended to allow for provisional status for new Utah schools requesting accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to local government.

small businesses:

This rule is amended to allow for provisional status for new Utah schools requesting accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to small businesses.

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

This rule is amended to allow for provisional status for new Utah schools requesting accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

This rule is amended to allow for provisional status for new Utah schools requesting accreditation which likely will not result in any compliance costs for affected persons.

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

I have reviewed this rule and I believe that there is likely no fiscal impact on businesses.

Martell Menlove, 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:

06/02/2014

This rule may become effective on:

06/09/2014

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-410. Accreditation of Schools.

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) If a school's application for membership is accepted, the school is granted provisional accreditation status for two years and shall have an accreditation visit in year three of the school's operation. A school may request an accreditation visit prior to year three if the school has sufficient student and financial data.

([1]2) 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.

 

KEY: accreditation, public schools, nonpublic schools

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [October 8, 2013]2014

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)