NOTICE OF SUBSTANTIVE CHANGE
1. Agency Information
Education, Administration
Salt Lake City, UT 84114-4200
2. Contact Persons
Elisse.newey@schools.utah.gov
Please address questions regarding information on this notice to the persons listed above.
3. General Information
A. Rule or section catchline:
R277-916. College and Career Awareness
B. Purpose of the new rule or reason for the change:
This repeal is needed due to the passage of SB 2 during the 2026 General Session.
C. Summary of the new rule or change:
This rule is no longer necessary because many of the previous requirements were removed from statute and the remaining requirements will be specified in another Rule R277-911. This rule is repealed in its entirety.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: The proposed amendment to Rule R277-911 is under ID 58070 in this issue, July 1, 2026, of the Bulletin.)
4. Legislative Action Information
A. Are any changes in this filing
because of state legislative action?
Changes are because of legislative action.
B. If yes, any bill number and
session:
SB 2 (2026 General Session)
5. Fiscal Information
Provide an estimate and written explanation of the aggregate anticipated cost or savings to:
This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on state government revenues or expenditures.
The rule change is due to the passage of SB 2 (2026).
The Utah State Board of Education (USBE) believes that any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note for SB 2 (2026).
This rule change is not expected to have fiscal impact on local governments' revenues or expenditures.
The rule change is due to the passage of SB 2 (2026).
The USBE believes that any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note for SB 2 (2026).
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 only applies to the USBE and Local Education Agencies (LEAs).
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.
The rule change is due to the passage of SB 2 (2026).
The USBE believes that any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note for SB 2 (2026).
F. Compliance costs for affected persons:
There are no compliance costs for affected persons.
The rule change is due to the passage of SB 2 (2026).
The USBE believes that any fiscal impacts were captured in the fiscal note for SB 2 (2026).
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."
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
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 InformationThis 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.
[R277-916. College and Career Awareness. R277-916-1. Authority and Purpose. (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-3-507, which allows the Board to establish minimum standards for career and technical education programs in the public education system; and (d) Section 53F-2-311, which directs the Board to distribute specific funds to LEAs. (2) The purpose of this rule is to establish standards and procedures for LEAs seeking to qualify for College and Career Awareness Program funds administered by the Board. (1) "Approved school" means a school approved by the Superintendent through an application process. (2)(a) "College and Career Awareness" means a 7th grade or 8th grade core course comprised of activities encouraging students to explore college and career opportunities. (b) "College and Career Awareness" is coordinated with the School Counseling program. (3) "Weighted Pupil Unit" or "WPU" means the unit of measure that is computed in accordance with Section 53F-2-302, to determine the costs of a program on a uniform basis for each LEA. (4) "Work-Based Learning" or "WBL" means a continuum of awareness, exploration, preparation, and training activities that combine structured learning and authentic work experiences implemented through industry and education partnerships. R277-916-3. Disbursement of Funds. (1)(a) An LEA shall utilize College and Career Awareness funds to purchase and maintain needed student equipment and supplies for the course, subject to the following: (i) LEA expenditures shall be reasonable and necessary to sustain the College and Career Awareness program; (ii) LEA expenditures shall be adequately documented; (iii) an LEA may not use for personnel costs; (iv) an LEA may not use funds to cover the cost of goods and services for teacher personal use, such as teacher equipment, materials, and supplies; (v) an LEA may not use funds for costs associated with: (F) marketing materials; or (vi) an LEA may only use funds for costs that will directly achieve program outcomes for students. (b) Notwithstanding, Subsection (1)(a), an LEA may use up to 15% of available funds for teachers and counselors to participate in ongoing professional development sponsored by the Board. (2) An LEA shall meet all requirements of this rule to receive College and Career Awareness funding. (3) College and Career Awareness funds shall be allocated to an LEA for an approved school using a base amount per school. (4) The Superintendent shall distribute funds remaining after funds are distributed under Subsection (3) to approved schools, based on the prior school year's October 1 grade 7 enrollment. (5) An LEA shall annually complete a funding application with assurances of each school meeting College and Career Awareness standards. (6) The Superintendent shall annually provide training to personnel from each school receiving funds under this Subsection (3). (7) The Superintendent shall allocate continued funding to an LEA based on the LEA's success in meeting established standards. (1) An LEA may qualify for College and Career Awareness funds consistent with the following: (a) College and Career Awareness standards are implemented in their entirety regardless of LEA scheduling; (b) College and Career Awareness teachers and counselors shall have appropriate licenses and endorsements; (c) a school shall utilize the services of a WBL coordinator, where available, to integrate grade level appropriate WBL activities into College and Career Awareness; (d) if a WBL coordinator is not available, the College and Career Awareness team shall plan and provide WBL activities; (e) a school shall integrate the services of a school counselor in the program; 
