Utah: College and Career Policies

Utah updated the social studies standards in 2009.

3 units of credit are required. .5 of Geography for Life, .5 of World Civilizations, 1 of US History, .5 of US Government and Citizenship.

The State Board of Education has full authority to adopt standards. The Utah State Board of Education is charged with establishing minimum standards for public schools. (H.B. 342 Powers and Duties of the State Board of Education requires the Board to convene a parent review committee for new core standards at least one year before adoption by the Board.)

A. An active educator license holder shall satisfy the final review and obtain the appropriate signatures regarding completion of the professional learning plan between January 1 and June 30 of the educator's assigned renewal year.
(1) A Level 2 or 3 educator license holder who has completed all additional requirements for renewal shall complete the online renewal provided by USOE between January 1 and June 30 of the educator's assigned renewal year.

Utah updated the educational technology standards in 2012.

Utah adopted new world language standards in 2014.

Utah requires 11 additional credits for graduation.

Administrators have to acquire 200 license renewal points over a 5 or 7 year span depending on their license level.

Fine Arts standards are undergoing revision with an anticipated adoption of date of April 2016.

Utah State Board of Education has full authority to adopt assessments.

Public Educator Evaluation Requirements (PEER)- State Board Rule R277-531; Board rule R277-531 was adopted September 2011, outlining the parameters that every district must incorporate into new or existing evaluation systems in order to be in compliance. The Public Education Employment Reform Act of 2012, known as Senate Bill 64, requires a “valid and reliable” evaluation tool in each school district no later than 2015-16. The Utah State Office of Education (USOE) is working with several pilot school districts to develop a model evaluation system that meets requirements established in both USBE rule and state code.

Rules have been updated and the evaluation system is in place.

The Utah State Board of Education oversees the teacher certification process for the state.

In order to obtain a Utah teaching license, an applicant must meet, but is not always limited to, the following requirements: must have at least a BA Degree, completed a Utah teacher certification program, and received passing scores on the required assessments. All state licenses accepted except AK, IA, MN, MO, SD, WI, and WY.