H.B. 389

1

STUDENT EDUCATION OCCUPATION PLAN AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Merlynn T. Newbold
5 Senate Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill provides a definition for a term used in Title 53A, State System of Public
10 Education.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . defines a student education/occupation plan (SEOP) as a plan to be initiated early in
14 the student's secondary education to guide a student in course selection and prepare
15 a student for post-secondary options; and
16 . makes technical changes.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 53A-1a-106, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 371
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 53A-1a-106 is amended to read:
27 53A-1a-106. School district and individual school powers.

28 (1) In order to acquire and develop the characteristics listed in Section 53A-1a-104 ,
29 each school district and each public school within its respective district shall implement a
30 comprehensive system of accountability in which students advance through public schools by
31 demonstrating competency in required skills and mastery of required knowledge through the
32 use of diverse assessment instruments such as authentic and criterion referenced tests, projects,
33 and portfolios.
34 (2) (a) Each school district and public school shall:
35 (i) develop and implement programs integrating technology into the curriculum,
36 instruction, and student assessment;
37 (ii) provide for teacher and parent involvement in policymaking at the school site;
38 (iii) implement a public school choice program to give parents, students, and teachers
39 greater flexibility in designing and choosing among programs with different focuses through
40 schools within the same district and other districts, subject to space availability, demographics,
41 and legal and performance criteria;
42 (iv) establish strategic planning at both the district and school level and site-based
43 decision making programs at the school level;
44 (v) provide opportunities for each student to acquire and develop academic and
45 occupational knowledge, skills, and abilities;
46 (vi) participate in ongoing research and development projects primarily at the school
47 level aimed at improving the quality of education within the system; and
48 (vii) involve business and industry in the education process through the establishment
49 of partnerships with the business community at the district and school level.
50 (b) (i) As used in this title, "Student education/occupation plan" or "SEOP" means a
51 plan developed by a student and the student's parent or guardian, in consultation with school
52 counselors, teachers, and administrators that:
53 (A) is initiated at the beginning of grade 7;
54 (B) identifies a student's skills and objectives;
55 (C) maps out a strategy to guide a student's course selection; and
56 (D) links a student to post-secondary options, including higher education and careers.
57 [(b) (i)] (ii) Each local school board, in consultation with school personnel, parents,
58 and school community councils or similar entities shall establish policies to provide for the

59 effective implementation of a personalized student education plan (SEP) or student
60 education/occupation plan (SEOP) for each student at the school site.
61 [(ii)] (iii) The policies shall include guidelines and expectations for:
62 (A) recognizing the student's accomplishments, strengths, and progress towards
63 meeting student achievement standards as defined in U-PASS;
64 (B) planning, monitoring, and managing education and career development; and
65 (C) involving students, parents, and school personnel in preparing and implementing
66 SEPs and SEOPs.
67 [(iii)] (iv) A parent may request conferences with school personnel in addition to SEP
68 or SEOP conferences established by local school board policy.
69 [(iv)] (v) Time spent during the school day to implement SEPs and SEOPs is
70 considered part of the school term referred to in Subsection 53A-17a-103 (4).
71 (3) A school district or public school may submit proposals to modify or waive rules or
72 policies of a supervisory authority within the public education system in order to acquire or
73 develop the characteristics listed in Section 53A-1a-104 .
74 (4) (a) Each school district and public school shall make an annual report to its patrons
75 on its activities under this section.
76 (b) The reporting process shall involve participation from teachers, parents, and the
77 community at large in determining how well the district or school is performing.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-23-12 12:13 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel