2015 Utah Code
Title 53A - State System of Public Education
Chapter 1 - Administration of Public Education at the State Level
Part 12 - School Turnaround and Leadership Development Act
Section 1207 - Consequences for failing to improve the school grade of a low performing school.

Effective 5/12/2015
53A-1-1207. Consequences for failing to improve the school grade of a low performing school.

• (1) As used in this section, "high performing charter school" means a charter school that:
  • (a) satisfies all requirements of state law and board rules;
  • (b) meets or exceeds standards for student achievement established by the charter school's charter school authorizer; and
  • (c) has received at least a "B" grade under the school grading system in the previous two school years.

• (2)
  • (a) A low performing school that does not improve the low performing school's grade by at least one letter grade within three school years after the day on which the school is designated a low performing school may petition the board for an extension to continue school improvement efforts for up to two years.
  • (b) The board may only grant an extension under Subsection (2)(a) if the low performing school has increased the number of points awarded under the school grading system by at least:
    • (i) 25% for a school that is not a high school; and
    • (ii) 10% for a high school.
  • (c) The board may extend the contract of an independent school turnaround expert of a low performing school that is granted an extension under this Subsection (2).
  • (d) A school that has been granted an extension under this Subsection (2) is eligible for:
    • (i) continued funding under Subsection 53A-1-1206(4)(c); and
    • (ii) the School Recognition and Reward Program under Section 53A-1-1208.

• (3) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the board shall make rules establishing consequences for a low performing school that:
  • (a)
    • (i) does not improve the school's grade within three school years after the day on which the school is designated a low performing school; and
    • (ii) is not granted an extension under Subsection (2); or
  • (b)
    • (i) is granted an extension under Subsection (2); and
    • (ii) does not improve the school's grade within two school years after the day on which the low performing school is granted an extension.

• (4) The board shall ensure that the rules established under Subsection (3) include a mechanism for:
  • (a) restructuring a district school that may include:
    • (i) contract management;
    • (ii) conversion to a charter school; or
    • (iii) state takeover; and
  • (b) restructuring a charter school that may include:
    • (i) termination of a school's charter;
    • (ii) closure of a charter school; or
    • (iii) transferring operation and control of the charter school to:
      • (A) a high performing charter school; or
      • (B) the school district in which the charter school is located.

Enacted by Chapter 449, 2015 General Session