§ 53A-1-402.8. Standards review committee. (Effective 5/13/2014)

(1) As used in this section, "board" means the State Board of Education.

(2) Subject to Subsection (5), the State Board of Education shall establish:

(a) a time line for the review by a standards review committee of core curriculum standards for:

(i) English language arts;

(ii) mathematics;

(iii) science;

(iv) social studies;

(v) fine arts;

(vi) physical education and health; and

(vii) early childhood education; and

(b) a separate standards review committee for each subject area specified in Subsection (2)(a) to review, and recommend to the board revisions to, core curriculum standards.

(3) At least one year before the board takes formal action to adopt new core curriculum standards, the board shall establish a standards review committee as required by Subsection (2)(b).

(4) A standards review committee shall meet at least twice during the time period described in Subsection (3).

(5) In establishing a time line for the review of core curriculum standards by a standards review committee, the board shall give priority to establishing a standards review committee to review, and recommend revisions to, the core curriculum standards for mathematics.

(6) The membership of a standards review committee consists of:

(a) seven individuals, with expertise in the subject being reviewed, appointed by the board chair, including teachers, business representatives, faculty of higher education institutions in Utah, and others as determined by the board chair;

(b) five parents or guardians of public education students appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; and

(c) five parents or guardians of public education students appointed by the president of the Senate.

(7) The board shall provide staff support to the standards review committee.

(8) A member of the standards review committee may not receive compensation or benefits for the member's service on the committee.

(9) Among the criteria a standards review committee shall consider when reviewing core curriculum standards is giving students an adequate foundation to successfully pursue college, technical education, a career, or other life pursuits.

(10) A standards review committee shall submit, to the board, comments and recommendations for revision of core curriculum standards.

(11) The board shall take into consideration the comments and recommendations of a standards review committee in adopting core curriculum standards.

(12)

(a) Nothing in this section prohibits the board from amending or adding individual core curriculum standards as the need arises in the board's ongoing responsibilities.

(b) If the board makes changes as described in Subsection (12)(a), the board shall include the changes in the annual report the board submits to the Education Interim Committee under Section 53A-1-402.6.

Enacted by Chapter 352, 2014 General Session