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:
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)
13. Agency Authorization Information
Agency head or
designee and title:
Elisse Newey, Deputy Superintendent of
Policy
R277. Education, Administration.
R277-406. Early Learning Program and Assessments.
R277-406-1. 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 over 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;[
(c) Section 53E-3-521, which requires the board to define the components of the early mathematics plan and establish a statewide target using data from the mathematics benchmark assessment;] [(d)](c) Section 53E-4-307, which requires the Board to approve a benchmark assessment for statewide use to assess the reading [and mathematics ]competency of students in grades one, two, and three; and [(e)](d) Section 53G-7-203, which requires the Board to establish rules regarding the administration of and reporting regarding the kindergarten assessment. (2) The purpose of this rule is to: [(a) to outline the responsibilities of the Superintendent and LEAs for implementation of Section 53E-3-521 and the Board's administration of Early Learning in the state, including to: (i) set expectations for LEA Early Learning Plans; (ii) establish timelines for LEA Early Learning Plans;] [(iii)](a) provide definitions and designate assessments required in Sections 53E-4-307 and 53E-4-307.5; [(iv)](b) provide testing reporting windows, and timelines; and [(v)](c) require LEAs to submit student reading [and mathematics ]assessment data to the Board; and [(b)](d) designate the kindergarten assessment and establish timelines and requirements for administration and reporting kindergarten assessment results and enrollment. [(3) This Rule R277-406 is categorized as Category 3 as described in Rule R277-111. ]
R277-406-2. Definitions.
(1)(a) "Benchmark reading assessment" means the Acadience Reading assessment.
(b) The "benchmark reading assessment:"
(i) is given three times each year;
(ii) gives teachers information to:
(A) plan appropriate instruction; and
(B) evaluate the effects of instruction; and
(iii) provides data about student preparation for success on an end of year criterion referenced test.
(2)(a) "Benchmark mathematics assessment" means [the Acadience Math assessment]a standardized assessment as defined in Section 53E-4-307.5 that measures early math skills and predicts academic achievement based on computation and problem-solving for kindergarten through grade 3; (b) The ["]benchmark mathematics assessment: (i) is given three times each year;
(ii) gives teachers information to:
(A) plan appropriate instruction; and
(B) evaluate the effects of instruction; and
(iii) provides data about student preparation for success on an end of year criterion referenced test.[
(3) "Components of early mathematics" means the key areas of mathematical learning including: (a) conceptual understanding; (c) strategic and adaptive mathematical thinking; and (d) productive disposition. (4) "Conceptual understanding" means the comprehension and connection of concepts, operations, and relations.] [(5)](3) "Evidence-based" means a strategy that has demonstrated a statistically significant effect on improving student outcomes. [(6)](4) "Parental notification requirements" means notice by any reasonable means, including electronic notice, notice by telephone, written notice, or personal notice.[ (7) "Plan" means the Early Learning plan described in Section 53G-7-218. (8) "Procedural fluency" means the meaningful, flexible, accurate, and efficient use of procedures to solve problems. 
