Education

Administration

Rule 305: School Leadership License Areas of Concentration and Programs

Effective Date:

Admin. Code Reference: R277-305

Rule Type: Proposed Rule

NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE

TYPE OF FILING: Amendment

Filing ID: 58239

Rule or section number:

R277-305

1. Agency Information

Title catchline:

Education, Administration

Building:

Board of Education

Street address:

250 E 500 S

City, state:

Salt Lake City, UT 84111

Mailing address:

PO Box 144200

City, state and zip:

Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200

2. Contact Persons

Name:

Phone:

Email:

Ben Rasmussen

801-538-7992

ben.rasmussen@schools.utah.gov

Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.

3. General Information

A. Rule or section catchline:

R277-305. School Leadership License Areas of Concentration and Programs

B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:

The amendments are needed to update language and align requirements with another rule.

C. Summary of the new rule or change:

The amendments remove an oversight Category 4 and update language on program competencies for school administrators.

Under the proposed language, the Superintendent would prepare program competencies consistent with the Effective Administrator Standards in Rule R277-330.

(EDITOR'S NOTE: The proposed amendment on Rule R277-330 is under ID 58241 in this issue, October 1, 2026, of the Bulletin.)

5. Fiscal Information

Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:

A. State budget:

This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on state government revenues or expenditures.

The amendments remove the oversight Category 4 designation and update the rule to allow the Superintendent to establish program competencies consistent with the Effective Administrator Standards in Rule R277-330, rather than listing them explicitly within this rule.

Because these updates strictly streamline administrative language and align existing standards without requiring new state operations or expenditures, there are no incremental costs or savings to the state budget.

B. Local governments:

This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on local governments' revenues or expenditures.

The changes consolidate and update the competency and clinical experience requirements for school leadership preparation programs.

Because these modifications govern the structure of leadership preparation programs and do not impose new operational, accounting, or funding requirements on Local Education Agencies (LEAs), there are no incremental costs or savings to local governments.

C. Small businesses ("small business" means a business employing 1-49 persons):

This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on small businesses' revenues or expenditures.

This rule strictly governs the licensure areas of concentration and preparation program standards for public school administrators.

Because the amendments do not interact with, mandate services from, or regulate small businesses, there are no incremental costs or savings.

D. Non-small businesses ("non-small business" means a business employing 50 or more persons):

There are no non-small businesses in the industry in question, Elementary and Secondary Schools (North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) 611110). Because there are no non-small businesses, they do not account for any service delivery for Elementary and Secondary Schools. Therefore, non-small businesses are not expected to receive increased or decreased revenues per year. This proposed rule change is not expected to have any fiscal impact on non-small businesses, revenues or expenditures because there are no applicable non-small businesses, and it does not require any expenditures of, or generate revenue for non-small businesses.

E. Persons other than small businesses, non-small businesses, state, or local government entities ("person" means any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental entity, or public or private organization of any character other than an agency):

This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on revenues or expenditures for persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities.

This rule shifts the detailed list of program competencies into guidelines established by the Superintendent and removes the explicit rule requirement for passing a school leadership assessment.

Because these changes modify programmatic approval criteria and individual licensure pathways without imposing new aggregate fees or financial burdens on candidates or program providers, there are no incremental costs or savings.

F. Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons.

The stricken language removes a previously mandated school leadership assessment and specific clinical experience checklists, while the new language requires the demonstration of competencies as established by the Superintendent.

Because these adjustments strictly alter academic and programmatic requirements rather than imposing direct financial fees or out-of-pocket expenses on licensure candidates, there are no compliance costs for affected persons.

6. Regulatory Impact Summary Table

Enter the cost or savings in the relevant cell. If there is no cost or savings, enter, "$0." If a cost or savings is inestimable, enter, "inestimable."

Fiscal Cost

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Cost

Fiscal Benefits

FY2027

FY2028

FY2029

FY2030

FY2031

State Budget

Local Governments

Small Businesses

Non-Small Businesses

Other Persons

Total Fiscal Benefits

Net Fiscal Benefits

7. Regulatory Impact Analysis Approval

The State Superintendent of the Utah State Board of Education, Molly Hart, has reviewed and approved this regulatory impact analysis.

8. Family Impact Information

A. The agency has considered this rule's impact on family health, stability, and formation:

☒

9. Citation Information

Provide citations to the statutory authority for the rule. If there is also a federal requirement for the rule, provide a citation to that requirement:

Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3

Subsection 53E-3-401(4)

Section 53E-6-201

11. Public Notice Information

The public may submit written or oral comments to the agency identified in box 1.

A. Comments will be accepted until:

11/02/2026

12. Effective Date Information

This rule change MAY become effective on:

(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)

11/09/2026

13. Agency Authorization Information

Agency head or

designee and title:

Ben Rasmussen, Director of Policy

Date:

09/15/2026

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-305. School Leadership License Areas of Concentration and Programs.

R277-305-1. Authority[,] and Purpose[, and Oversight Category].

(1) This rule is authorized by:

(a) Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board;

(b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

(2) The purpose of this rule is to:

(a) specify the requirements for a professional school leadership license area of concentration;

(b) specify the standards which the Board expects of a school leadership preparation program before program approval.

[(3) This rule is categorized as Category 4 as described in Rule R277-111.]

R277-305-2. Definitions.

(1) "Clinical experience" means a structured opportunity in which a program candidate is mentored by a licensed educator and evaluated by an LEA administrator or university preparation program faculty member, to develop and demonstrate competency in the skills and knowledge necessary to be an effective school leader.

(2) "School leadership license area of concentration" means the initial credential issued by the Board that authorizes a holder to be employed as a school principal, vice-principal, or assistant principal.

R277-305-3. School Leadership License Area of Concentration Requirements.

(1) The Superintendent shall issue a professional school leadership license area of concentration to an individual that applies for the license and meets all requirements in this section.

(2) The requirements for a professional school leadership license area of concentration shall include a master's degree or more advanced degree, and either;

(a)[(i) passage of a school leadership assessment approved by the Superintendent; and

(ii)] a recommendation from a Board-approved school leadership preparation program pursuant to the process described in Rule R277-303;

(b) a valid NASDTEC Stage 2 license in school leadership.

R277-305-4. School Leadership Preparation Programs.

(1) Before approval by the Superintendent, a preparation program for school leadership shall:

(a) demonstrate how it will prepare candidates to meet the Utah Educational Leadership Standards described in Rule R277-330;

(b) subject to Subsection (2), establish weighted entry requirements that consider prior leadership experiences of applicants and are designed to select high quality candidates to enter the licensure program;

(c) include school-based clinical experiences for a candidate to observe, practice skills, and reflect on school leadership that:

(i) are significant in number, depth, breadth, and duration;

(ii) are progressively more complex;

(iii) occur in multiple schools;

(iv) include working with both elementary and secondary teachers and students; and

(v) occur throughout the preparation program;

(d) require the demonstration of school leadership competencies as established by the Superintendent.[competency in:

(i) properly utilizing data, including student performance data, to evaluate educator and school performance and provide actionable

information to educators to improve instruction;

(ii) facilitating educator use of technology to support and meaningfully supplement the learning of students;

(iii) collaborating with stakeholder groups to create a shared vision, mission, and goals for a school;

(iv) implementing the shared vision, mission, and goals for a school:

(A) as a principal; and

(B) as an assistant principal supporting the school principal;

(v) communicating effectively with parents, community groups, staff, and students;

(vi) understanding parents' rights, consent, requests, and reasonable accommodations under Utah Code, including Section 53G-6-803, and

Board rule;

(vii) recognizing effective and ineffective instructional practice to ensure authentic learning and assessment experiences for all students;

(viii) implementing a multi-tiered system of supports in individual classrooms and the school as a whole;

(ix) counseling and coaching educators in relation to the educator's evaluation, professional learning, and student performance to improve

the educator's practice;

(x) understanding the laws and legal ramifications surrounding school leadership decisions and practices;

(xi) understanding the requirements and LEA responsibilities of the IDEA;

(xii) ensuring a safe, secure, emotionally protective, and healthy school environment, including the prevention of bullying and youth

suicide;

(xiii) establishing and maintaining a school culture that supports inquiry, risk-taking, innovation, and learning of both students and

teachers;

(xiv) connecting management operations, policies, and resources to the vision and values of the school; and

(xv) understanding internal controls.]

(2) [Beginning on January 1, 2020, the]The entry requirements described in Subsection (1)(b) shall require an individual entering a Board-

approved education leadership licensure program to:

(a) clear a USBE fingerprint background check described in:

(i) statute; and

(ii) background check rule;

(b) hold a:

(i) Utah professional educator license; or

(ii) an equivalent out of state license;

(i) an evaluation system meeting the standards of Rule R277-323; or

(ii) the LEA's equivalent on the applicant's most recent evaluation;

(d) have a confidential recommendation from:

(i) the individual's immediate administrative supervisor; or

(ii) an LEA-level administrator with knowledge regarding the individual's potential as a school leader; and

(e) pass an interview conducted by the program to measure the potential of the individual as a school leader.

(3) A Board-approved education leadership licensure program may waive the entrance requirements described in Subsections (2)(b)

through (e) based on program established guidelines for no more than 10% of an incoming cohort.

[(4) For a program applicant accepted on or after January 1, 2020, an -approved school leadership licensure program shall require multiple

opportunities for a program applicant to successfully demonstrate application of knowledge and skills gained through the program in one or more

clinical experiences in each of the following competencies:

(a) analyzing school assessment data from common formative assessments, summative assessments, standardized assessments, and interim

or benchmark assessments with school staff and with individual teachers;

(b) administering all aspects of a teacher evaluation system that meets the requirements of:

(i) Rule R277-323; or

(ii) the LEA's equivalent;

(d) planning, organizing, conducting, and evaluating the effectiveness of a professional learning activity for school staff;

(e) supporting or overseeing a school-based learning team;

(f) working with a School Community Council, including the annual development and evaluation of a school's Teacher and Student

Success Act plan and School LAND Trust plan;

(g) performing formal and informal classroom observations for improving instruction;

(h) acting as the LEA representative in IEP and 504 accommodation plan meetings;

(i) appropriately handling cases of student discipline referred to the school office;

(j) supervising school activities and monitoring the process for collecting and handling fees and gate receipts; and

(k) implementing a school's screening and hiring process, including interviews and the notification of successful and unsuccessful

applicants.]

R277-305-5. Superintendent Responsibilities.

(1) The Superintendent shall ensure that the model mentoring program required under Rule R277-308 includes induction for new school leaders.

(2) The Superintendent shall include a list of resources for potential school leadership candidates to help them prepare for school leadership on the Utah Leading through Effective and Dynamic Education website.

(3) The Superintendent shall implement a network for principals.

(4) The Superintendent shall create a depository of school principal learning resources that can be utilized by LEAs in the Utah Leading through Effective and Dynamic Education website.

KEY: school leadership license, program

Date of Last Change: 2026[December 8, 2025]

Notice of Continuation: March 11, 2024

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53E-6-201

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