Responsibility to Educate Your Child
Compulsory Education
53G-6-202. Utah Code Compulsory education. State legislation defining compulsory education and acts of truancy as well as enforcement.
Utah Code Truancy -- Notice of truancy -- Failure to cooperate with school authorities (53G-6-203) Describes how notice will be given for a student who has been non-compliant.
Utah Code Individual Freedom In Public Education (HB 427) This bill ensures that all instructional materials and classroom instruction are consistent with the principles of inalienable rights, equal opportunity, and individual merit.
Utah Code Compulsory Education (53G-6-202) The law aims to cultivate informed citizens, contribute to the public good, and ensure children develop the knowledge and skills needed for future success.
Constitutional Law-Religious Liberty (Article I, Section 4) Prevents religious persecution and ensures freedom of conscience, prohibiting any union of church and state and preventing public funds from supporting religious activities.
Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962) Supreme Court's ruling which determines that government-sponsored prayer in public schools is unconstitutional.
Alternative Educational Options
Flexibility in Education
Alternative School Environment Options: For students attending a public school, there are provisions in the Utah Code that allow parents to request changes to their child's educational environment within the school they are already attending. These options are outlined as parental rights to reasonable academic accommodations.
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Utah Code Ann. § 53G-6-803. Parental right to academic accommodations.
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(3) This section states that a Local Education Agency (LEA), which includes local school districts and charter schools, "shall reasonably accommodate a parent's initial selection of a teacher or request for a change of teacher."
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(6)(a) This part of the code requires an LEA to "reasonably accommodate a parent's written request to place a student in a specialized class, a specialized program, or an advanced course."
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These provisions give parents the legal standing to formally request a different teacher or a move to a different academic setting within the same school, based on their child's needs.
Differentiated Start or Stop Times are available through flexibility in scheduling, typically determined at the local level (by the school district or charter school) and is often tied to a student's individual needs, particularly for students with an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a Plan for College and Career Readiness. Consult your local school district policies, if applicable, discuss as part of an existing IEP or other individualized learning plan.
Differentiated Exit and Entrance Locations are logistical and safety procedures are determined by the individual school and its LEA.
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USBE Board Rule R277-400. School Facility Emergency and Safety.
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This rule mandates that LEAs establish procedures regarding access to public school buildings. This is in the broader context of emergency and safety planning, not individualized daily access. Exceptions could be made on a case-by-case basis for students with specific safety or accessibility needs, which would be arranged directly with the school administration.
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Accelerated Programs
R277-707 Board Rule Enhancement for Accelerated Students establish's a method for an LEA to identify a gifted and talented student to receive extended or accelerated opportunities for the student to achieve growth annually at the highest level possible.
Adult Education
Adult Education Services Utah Adult Education is a program of instruction below the collegiate level for adults. It is comprised of Adult Secondary Education (ASE), and English Language Learners (ELL) to read English Language Acquisition (ELA).
R277-733 USBE Board Rule: Adult Education Programs Describe curriculum, program standards, allocation formulas, and operation procedures for the adult education program for adult education students both in and out of state custody.
Charter School Options
Charter Schools Charter schools are tuition-free public schools open to any Utah student. A public school is defined as a school that is open to the public, funded by the public, and accountable to the public.
Utah State Charter School Board Website
Utah Code Charter School Enrollment Section This section of Utah code describes enrollment process, capacity, and transfers.
Dual Enrollment
R277-438 USBE Board Rule Dual Enrollment Provides consistent statewide procedures and criteria for a home school and private school student's participation in a public school course, co-curricular activity, or program.
Extra-Curricular Involvement
R277-494 USBE Board Rule Charter, Online, Home, and Private School Student Participation in Extracurricular or Co-curricular School Activities Informs school districts, charter schools, online schools, private schools, and parents of: school participation fees; and state-determined requirements for a charter school, public online school, or private school student to participate in an extracurricular activity at another public school.
Gifted and Talented
- USBE Board Rule R277-707: Defines gifted and talented programs and outlines procedures for LEAs applying for state funding.
- Local Control: LEAs establish their own methods to identify and serve gifted and talented students, with the purpose of providing extended or accelerated opportunities.
- Diverse Services: Services can include accommodations in the regular classroom, pull-out programs, advanced classes, varied grouping strategies, enrichment, acceleration, differentiation of curriculum, dual enrollment, magnet schools, and academic competitions.
- Parental Rights: An LEA must reasonably accommodate a parent's written request to place a student in a specialized class or advanced course, considering multiple academic data points.
Homebound Students
Students with and without IEP's and 504's can qualify for a "homebound" plan through their local district/school in accordance with a district/school's policies if "the school-age child is in a physical or mental condition, certified by a competent physician or physician assistant if required by the local school board or charter school governing board, which renders attendance inexpedient and impractical;" This information is in accordance with Utah Code 53G-6-204(1)(a)(ii)(B).
General Information for Homebound Students A printable sheet giving general information for students who are Homebound for various reasons.
Primary Children's Educational Resources for Families Provides family support services with a team of certified teachers to provide opportunities for hospitalized children and adolescents to continue learning, engage in educational activities, and to support their transition back to school.
Home Schooling
Home School Overview information provided within the USBE agency.
"When a parent withdraws an enrolled school-age child from school for the purpose of home-schooling, or chooses not to enroll a school-age child, the parent shall provide a one-time initial notification, that may include a letter of intent, to the local school boardof the school-age child's district of residence." -Utah Code H.B. 209 Homeschool Amendments Updated 5/7/25
Utah Code S.B. 56 Homeschool Amendments Utah legislation gives information on homeschooling in the state of Utah. Updated 5/1/2024
R277-438 USBE Board Rule Dual Enrollment Provides consistent statewide procedures and criteria for a home school and private school student's participation in a public school course, co-curricular activity, or program.
Utah Code 53G-6-204. School-age children exempt from school attendance
Special Education Rules in regard to Home School (see page. 172)
Utah System of Higher Education
Homeschool Hub Utah resource for everything homeschool in Utah, connecting families with educational opportunities.
Utah Fits All Scholarship
Utah Fits All Scholarship Agency section page for more information.
Online Learning Options
Statewide Online Education Program The Statewide Online Education Program (SOEP) is publicly funded. Students accepting the UFA scholarship must un-enroll from SOEP courses before receiving the scholarship.
R277-726 Board Rule Statewide Online Education Program Enables eligible students, through publicly funded online courses, to: earn college credit by July 1, 2025; earn high school graduation credit; and earn middle school credit;
Section 53F-4-514, which requires the Board to make rule providing for the administration of the applicable statewide assessments to students enrolled in online courses; that establish a course credit acknowledgment form and procedures for completing and submitting the form to the Board; and that establish protocols for an online course provider to obtain approval to become an authorized or certified online course provider
Utah Code-State Online Education (53F-4-5) Goes over various components of SOEP.
- USBE Rule R277-309-3 Appropriate Licensing and Assignment of Teachers (and SOEP Guidance Manual): Mandates that all districts offer access to online learning,
broadening course access and providing flexibility for secondary students.
- Student Eligibility: Home and private school students may also participate in SOEP.
- Part-time/Full-time Options: Students can use online courses to supplement their current education or pursue a fully online curriculum.
- Flexibility in Time, Place, and Pace: Online learning environments like Utah Virtual Academy (UTVA) and Mountain Heights Academy emphasize flexible schedules and individualized pacing.
Work-based Programs
R277-915 USBE Board Rule Work-based Learning Programs
- USBE-supported: LEAs can design and implement WBL programs that combine structured learning with authentic work experiences through industry and education partnerships.
- Credit for Demonstrated Mastery: WBL allows for credit to be earned for demonstrated mastery, including towards core high school graduation requirements.
Rvsd. 9/11/25