S.B. 287

1

CORE CURRICULUM STANDARDS AMENDMENTS
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Margaret Dayton
5 House Sponsor: Keith Grover
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill modifies requirements pertaining to core curriculum standards adopted by the
10 State Board of Education.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . provides that the state may exit any agreement, contract, memorandum of
14 understanding, or consortium that cedes control of Utah's core curriculum to any
15 other entity for any reason; and
16 . makes technical amendments.
17 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
18 None
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 53A-1-402.6, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2003, Chapter 315
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 53A-1-402.6 is amended to read:
27 53A-1-402.6. Core curriculum standards.

28 (1) In establishing minimum standards related to curriculum and instruction
29 requirements under Section 53A-1-402 , the State Board of Education shall, in consultation
30 with local school boards, school superintendents, teachers, employers, and parents implement
31 [a] core curriculum standards which will enable students to, among other objectives:
32 (a) communicate effectively, both verbally and through written communication;
33 (b) apply mathematics; and
34 (c) access, analyze, and apply information.
35 (2) The board shall:
36 (a) identify the basic knowledge, skills, and competencies each student is expected to
37 acquire or master as the student advances through the public education system; and
38 (b) align the core curriculum standards and tests administered under the Utah
39 Performance Assessment System for Students (U-PASS) with each other.
40 (3) The basic knowledge, skills, and competencies identified pursuant to Subsection
41 (2)(a) shall increase in depth and complexity from year to year and focus on consistent and
42 continual progress within and between grade levels and courses in the core academic areas of:
43 (a) English, including explicit phonics, spelling, grammar, reading, writing,
44 vocabulary, speech, and listening; and
45 (b) mathematics, including basic computational skills.
46 (4) Local school boards shall design their school programs, that are supported by
47 generally accepted scientific standards of evidence, to focus on the core curriculum standards
48 with the expectation that each program will enhance or help achieve mastery of the core
49 curriculum standards.
50 (5) Except as provided in Section 53A-13-101 , each school may select instructional
51 materials and methods of teaching, that are supported by generally accepted scientific standards
52 of evidence, that it considers most appropriate to meet core curriculum [objectives] standards.
53 (6) The state may exit any agreement, contract, memorandum of understanding, or
54 consortium that cedes control of Utah's core curriculum standards to any other entity, including
55 a federal agency or consortium, for any reason, including:
56 (a) the cost of developing or implementing core curriculum standards;
57 (b) the proposed core curriculum standards are inconsistent with community values; or
58 (c) the agreement, contract, memorandum of understanding, or consortium:

59 (i) was entered into in violation of Part 9, Implementing Federal Programs Act, or Title
60 63J, Chapter 5, Federal Funds Procedures Act;
61 (ii) conflicts with Utah law;
62 (iii) requires Utah student data to be included in a national or multi-state database;
63 (iv) requires records of teacher performance to be included in a national or multi-state
64 database; or
65 (v) imposes curriculum, assessment, or data tracking requirements on home school or
66 private school students.
67 (7) The State Board of Education shall annually report to the Education Interim
68 Committee on the development and implementation of core curriculum standards.




Legislative Review Note
as of 2-27-12 5:25 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel