USBE Parent Portal Welcome Page
Utah’s Constitution and laws respect parents’ primary role in the education of their children. The Utah State Board of Education (“USBE”) deeply appreciates the trust that parents have placed in Utah’s public education system, and is committed to supporting them in this critical mission. Here is a brief overview of Parent Rights.
Parent Rights
Utah’s Constitution and laws respect parents’ primary role in the education of their children. The Utah State Board of Education (“USBE”) deeply appreciates the trust that parents have placed in Utah’s public education system, and is committed to supporting them in this critical mission.
Recent research has emphasized effective family engagement as a key component of school transformation and improvement efforts. Students with highly engaged families:
- Attend school regularly
- Have stronger social skills
- Earn higher grades
- Graduate from high school
- Go on to college or other postsecondary program
"Research shows that children spend only 20% of their waking time annually in formal classroom education, leaving 80% of their time to explore and enhance their learning interests in non-school settings." Harvard Research Project (2014)
This parent portal outlines the basic structure of Utah’s public education system, some of the rights of parents in the direction of their children’s education, and opportunities to engage with and support your schools at the state and local level.
USBE welcomes and encourages participation of parents and community members from all backgrounds. The portal is available in multiple languages, and USBE offers verbal translation services for further discussions with our staff.
As a parent in Utah, you have specific data privacy rights related to your child's educational records and information. These rights are protected by federal and state laws, including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and Utah state regulations. Utah code acknowledges a parent’s primary role in the education of their children, and the vital supporting role of the public education system.
Utah Code Policy for Utah's Public Education System 53E-2-201 "Parents have the primary responsibility for the education of their children..."
Parents have opportunities to provide input to USBE by serving on various advisory committees; for more information is available and to participate, contact Kelsey James via e-mail at kelsey.james@schools.utah.gov.
The Utah Constitution provides that the “general control and supervision of the public education system shall be vested in a State Board of Education.”
Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3
Utah’s “Local Education Agencies” – districts and charter schools – are governed by elected boards, and are primarily responsible for curriculum, hiring and payment of teachers, and most other local issues. USBE encourages parents to reach out to your LEA with any concerns, but we are happy to answer questions about the role of USBE in supporting and guiding LEAs.
Utah Senate Bill 114 Public School Curriculum Requirements (parents right to approve curriculum)
Student Data Privacy
updated 5/19/25
Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA)
Protection of Pupil Rights Amendment (PPRA) General Guidance
Utah Code Student Privacy and Data Protection (53E-9)
R277-615 Board Rule Procedures for Searching Student
R277-487 Board Rule School Data Confidentiality and Disclosure
Accommodations and Special Education Rights
see more information on the "Accommodations and Special Education for Parents" page.
Special Education, Title I, III, IX, VI, and 504.
Free and Appropriate Public Education (FAPE)Utah Home Education Association (UHEA)
Constitutional Rights
Article I Declaration of Rights
Article X Constitutional Rights in Education
HB 247 Individual Freedom In Public Education
Utah Code Maintaining constitutional freedom in the public schools (53G-10-202)
Equal Opportunities in Education
Board Rule R277-328 Equal Opportunity in Education Acknowledges and describes that all students are capable of learning and may need additional guidance, resources, and support based on their academic needs.
Basic process for filing a complaint with the office of civil rights:
- Be filed in writing by mail, fax, e-mail, or via the OCR Complaint Portal
- Name the health care or social service provider involved, and describe the acts or omissions, you believe violated civil rights laws or regulations
- Be filed within 180 days of when you knew that the act or omission complained of occurred. OCR may extend the 180-day period if you can show "good cause"
Religious Accommodations
Utah Code Individual Freedom In Public Education (HB 427) This bill describes maintaining constitutional freedom in public schools.
Utah Code Waivers of participation based on religious belief (53G-10-205) Describes the process and rights to waive the student's participation in any aspect of school that violates the student's or the student's parent's religious belief or right of conscience.
Constitutional Law-Religious Liberty (Article I, Section 4) Describes the constitutional right for a parent in regard to the rights of conscience which shall never be infringed upon.
Engel v. Vitale, 370 U.S. 421 (1962) Supreme court decision establishing that the state cannot hold prayers in public schools, even if it is not required and not tied to a particular religion.
Constitutional Law-Religious Liberty (Article I, Section 4) Establishes the rights of religious beliefs.
Responsibility to Educate your Child
Utah Code Policy for Utah's Public Education System 53E-2-20 Describes a general policy for public education.
Compulsory Education 53G-6-202 This code identifies what compulsory education is in the state of Utah.
Utah Code Truancy -- Notice of truancy -- Failure to cooperate with school authorities (53G-6-203) Defines truancy and actions that can be taken if a student is truant.
Utah Code Individual Freedom In Public Education (HB 427) This bill describes maintaining constitutional freedom in public schools.
Report a Concern
The Public Education Hotline is maintained by the Internal Audit Department of the Utah State Board of Education (USBE) and it is a venue for citizens, educators, employees, and other stakeholders to report concerns related to any of the agencies governed by or provided resources by the USBE. You can expect a response within 3 business days.
Where Should I Start?
If an EMERGENCY or a CRISIS, contact, 911, SAFE-UT or your local law enforcement!
OR for questions about the process, your rights as a parent, contact the Parent Liaison at the Utah State Board of Education:
Cassie Hays, M. Ed.
Parent Liaison and Engagement Education Specialist
Utah State Board of Education
cassie.hays@schools.utah.gov
801-538-7845
Public Education is governed both at the state and local levels, so it is important to try and identify who has authority in the area where you have a question or a concern. The document to the right will help you identify options when you have a concern; many times, the best option is to Start Local.
Utah Schools Directory Includes public (district and charter) and private schools.
For concerns regarding Special Education and/or Alleged Educator Misconduct consider the following USBE resources:
- Dispute Resolution
Special Education Services - Student and Parent Rights - Reporting Educator Misconduct/Arrests
Policy, Law, and Professional Practices - Utah Professional Practices Advisory Commission (UPPAC)
Protection for Individuals Reporting Concerns?
The USBE and the Internal Audit Department are committed to protecting individuals who report concerns. As requested, and to the extent allowed by law, we maintain the confidentiality of anyone providing information. Utah law prohibits discharging, threatening, or otherwise bringing a personal action against an employee who reports a violation of law or waste of public funds, property, or manpower unless the employee knows the report is malicious, false, or frivolous. Please see the Utah State Legislature Title 63G-2-305: Protected Records Government Records Access and Management Act (GRAMA) concerning protected information, including information for audit purposes, and Title 67-21: Utah Protection of Public Employees Act concerning the whistleblower protections.
Reporting a Concern
If you would like to report a concern (e.g., misuse of assets, funds, or resources; non-compliance with regulations, policies or rules; fraud, waste, abuse or unethical behavior) please contact the Internal Audit Department in one of the following ways:
- Fill out the Report a Concern Form (hosted by Qualtrics) by clicking the button below:
Report a Concern Form - Call the dedicated phone number (801) 538-7813 (if we do not answer, please leave a message and we will return your call within 3 business days).
- Send an email to audit@schools.utah.gov.
- Mail a concern to:
Utah State Board of Education
Internal Audit Department
Attention: Debbie Davis
PO Box 144200
Salt Lake City, Utah 84114-4200 - Schedule an appointment to share your concern in person by emailing audit@schools.utah.gov.
To expedite a preliminary analysis of reported items, when you report a concern please provide as much information and documentation as possible. This could include:
- Your name, e-mail, and phone number (reports of concerns may be anonymous to the extent allowed by law)
- A detailed description of the concern, including any relevant laws, regulations, policies, programs, etc., and if applicable, the source of the funds involved (e.g. federal, state, other)
- The names and titles of the individuals involved with the concern
- The location and date where the concern occurred
- Additional information such as: other witnesses, supporting documents, evidence, etc.
For each concern received the Internal Audit Department will conduct a preliminary analysis as directed by R277-123. The analysis includes consideration of relevant laws and rules, and entities with authority to review the concern and take necessary action. This means a concern may be referred to one or more entity; if referred, consideration of the concern will be according to the policies and procedures of that entity.
Language Assistance
For translation in reading any page of this website, please utilize the language assistance "Translate" drop down feature at the top right corner of the Utah State Board of Education website.
USBE is also available to assist you in obtaining translation services for discussions with your local schools. Please see our Title VI site to speak with our English Learners, immigrant and Refugee Director to learn how to access those services.
I am at your service as the Parent Liaison and Engagement Education Specialist (53G-6-807). Please feel free to reach out and ask any question about parental rights, student rights, process, policy, legislation, board rule, or resources available to you!
Contact Us:
Cassie Hays, M. Ed.
Parent Liaison and Engagement Education Specialist
Utah State Board of Education
cassie.hays@schools.utah.gov
801-538-7845