R277-623. School Climate Survey

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-623.  School Climate Survey.

R277-623-1.  Authority, 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; and

          (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

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to provide an LEA with:

          (a)  the recommended distribution method;

          (b)  climate survey frequency; and

          (c)  minimum sample size required to conduct a climate survey.

          (3)  This Rule R277-623 is categorized as Category 2 as described in Rule R277-111.

R277-623-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Climate" means the perceptions and experiences of students, staff, parents, and the community regarding the school's environment and the resources that support the experiences, as defined in Section 53G-8-102.

          (2)  "Culture" means the beliefs, values, and practices that shape how a school functions and influences student learning and well-being through policies, procedures, and safety protocols, as defined in Section 53G-8-102.

          (3)  "Education Support Personnel" means a classified employee defined in the Recognizing Achievement in Classified School Employees Act, 20 U.S.C. Sec. 6682, as defined in Section 53G-11-519.

          (4)  "Physical Space" means the way in which a building is designed and structured to promote safety, including the minimum safety and security standards as described in Section 53-22-102.

          (5)  "School Climate Survey" or "climate survey" means a survey that evaluates a range of aspects of the educational environment to assess perceptions and identify specific strengths and weaknesses within a school.

          (6)  "School Community" means relevant stakeholders including:

          (a)  parents;

          (b)  students;

          (c)  administration;

          (d)  school building certified and education support personnel; and

          (e)  school resource officers as defined in Subsection 53G-8-701(2).

          (7)  "School safety" means the physical space, culture, and climate of a school, as defined in Section 53G-8-102.

          (8)  "Survey group" means each version of the school climate survey administered to a distinct stakeholder group.

R277-623-3.  Climate Survey Administration.

          (1)  If an LEA chooses to administer the Model School Climate Survey:

          (a)  an LEA shall administer the climate survey:

          (i)  with parental consent as described in Section 53E-9-203;

          (ii)  to all schools within the LEA;

          (iii)  to at least one stakeholder group in the school's community, as defined in Section R277-623-2;

          (iv)  through a Board-approved online provider;

          (v)  in an anonymous and randomized manner;

          (vi)  to all students across all academic achievement levels;

          (vii)   with participation from at least 35% or 400 responses per survey group, whichever is fewer; and

          (viii)  in additional languages relevant to the school community, where feasible.

          (b)  an LEA may:

          (i)  not modify any existing survey questions; and

          (ii)  include or remove additional questions in the LEA's climate survey:

          (A)  consistent with student data privacy requirements as described in Section 53E-9-203; and

          (B)  for student survey groups.

          (c)  An LEA shall restrict access to survey responses in accordance with the LEA's written policies, Board rule, or state and federal laws.

          (2)  Administrators shall provide students with a Section 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP) with the appropriate accommodations:

          (a)  the student can request for a different survey administrator; and

          (b)  an LEA may administer the survey orally to a student if the LEA ensures confidentiality protections for:

          (i)  the student's responses; and

          (ii)  the identity of the survey administrator from the general public.

KEY:  school climate survey, school safety

Date of Last Change:  October 8, 2025

Notice of Continuation:  January 15, 2025

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53G-8-802(2)(i)

Status of Rule

Effective October 8, 2025

Five-year review January 15, 2030

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Oversight Framework

Category 2

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53E-9-203

53G-8-802

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-325, Public Education Exit and Engagement Surveys

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Related Federal Law

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Willie Chen
willie.chen@schools.utah.gov
School Safety Center

Secondary Contact:
Melissa Muhlestein
melissa.muhlestein@schools.utah.gov
School Safety Center

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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