DAR File No. 39490

Education, Administration

Rule R277-410

Accreditation of Schools

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 39490
Filed: 07/01/2015 11:35:48 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This rule is amended to update procedures and responsibilities.

Summary of the rule or change:

The amendments: 1) provide a new definition of "Superintendent"; 2) change the responsibilities of the USOE to the Superintendent; 3) change accreditation procedures as necessary; and 4) provide minor technical changes.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Article X, Section 3
• Subsection 53A-1-402(1)(c)(i)
• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

The changes to the rule provide for a more formal and structured process for a school to be granted accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to the state budget.

local governments:

The changes to the rule provide for a more formal and structured process for a school to be granted accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to local government.

small businesses:

The changes to the rule provide for a more formal and structured process for a school to be granted accreditation which likely will not result in a cost or savings to small businesses.

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

The changes to the rule provide for a more formal and structured process for a school to be granted 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:

The changes to the rule provide for a more formal and structured process for a school to be granted 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.

Brad C. Smith, 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:

• Angela Stallings at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7656, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at angie.stallings@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:

08/14/2015

This rule may become effective on:

08/21/2015

Authorized by:

Angela Stallings, Associate Superintendent, Policy and Communication

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-410. Accreditation of Schools.

R277-410-1. Definitions.

A. "Accreditation" means the formal process for internal and external review and approval under the Standards for the Northwest Accreditation Commission, 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.

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

D. "Elementary school" for the purpose of this rule means grades no higher than grade 6.

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

F. "Middle school" for the purpose of this rule means grades no lower than grade 5 and no higher than grade 8 in any combination.

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

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.

[J. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

]J. "Superintendent" means the State Superintendent of Public Instruction or the Superintendent's designee.

 

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 Subsection 53A-1-402(1)(c)(i) , which directs the Board to adopt rules for school accreditation, and Subsection 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]Superintendent 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. A Utah public secondary school[s], as defined in R277-410-1H and consistent with R277-481-3A(2), shall be a member[s] of AdvancED Northwest and be accredited by AdvancED Northwest.

C. A Utah public elementary [and]or middle school[s] that desire s accreditation shall be a member[s] of AdvancED Northwest and meet the requirements of R277-410-5 and R277-410-6. AdvancED Northwest accreditation is optional for Utah elementary and middle schools.

D. [All]An AdvancED Northwest accredited school[s] shall complete and file reports in accordance with 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]A Utah public school[s] seeking accreditation [to satisfy]shall meet 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]Board or Superintendent may require on-site visits as often as necessary when [it]the Superintendent receives notice of accreditation problems, as determined by the [USOE]Superintendent, 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]Superintendent, 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]Managing Office Director.

(1) If a school's application for membership is accepted by AdvancED, [the school is granted provisional accreditation status for two years and shall have an accreditation visit in year three of the school's operation]the Utah AdvancED Managing Office shall schedule an on-site Readiness Review. Upon successful completion of the Readiness Review, the school may become a candidate for accreditation. Candidate schools are not accredited until such status is officially granted.

(2) A school may remain in candidacy for no more than two years prior to hosting an External Review Team accreditation visit. The External Review Team shall be staffed with[A school may request an accreditation visit prior to year three if the school has sufficient student and financial data.

(2) Following a visit by] at least two qualified educators verifying a school's compliance with accreditation standards. Following [and ]approval by both the Utah AdvancED Council and the AdvancED Commission, the school shall[then] receive accreditation.  A school may request an External Review accreditation visit prior to year two if the school has sufficient student and financial data.

C. AdvancED Northwest accredited schools shall be subject to:

(1) compliance with AdvancED Northwest membership requirements;

(2) satisfactory review by the AdvancED 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, and consult with the Utah AdvancED[State] Council. [and t]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 Advanc[ed]ED Northwest.

D. The AdvancED Northwest accreditation standards provided in this rule are applicable to a junior high [and]or middle school[s] in the[ir]school's entirety if the school[s] include s 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]B. 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.

 

R277-410-9. 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: [June 9, 2014]2015

Notice of Continuation: July 1, 2015

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