35A-15-202. Elements of a high quality school readiness program.

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A research copy — for the controlling text, always check the official state or federal source. Not legal advice.

Effective 7/1/2024

A high quality school readiness program that an eligible LEA or eligible private provider runs shall include:

(1)an evidence-based curriculum that is aligned with all of the developmental domains and academic content areas defined in the Utah core standards for preschool that the state board adopts, and that incorporates:

(a)intentional and differentiated instruction in whole group, small group, and child-directed learning; and

(b)intentional instruction in key areas of literacy and numeracy, as determined by the state board, that:

(i)is teacher led or through a partnership with a contractor as defined in Section 63N-20-101 ;

(ii)includes specific literacy and numeracy skills, such as phonological awareness; and

(iii)includes provider monitoring and ongoing professional learning and coaching;

(2)ongoing, focused, and intensive professional learning for staff of the school readiness program;

(3)ongoing assessment of a student's educational growth and development that:

(a)is aligned to the Utah core standards for preschool that the state board adopts; and

(b)evaluates student progress to inform instruction;

(4)administration of the school readiness assessment to each student;

(5)a class size that does not exceed 20 students, with one adult for every 10 students in the class;

(6)ongoing program evaluation and data collection to monitor program goal achievement and implementation of required program components;

(7)family engagement, including ongoing communication between home and school, and parent education opportunities based on each family's circumstances;

(8)only lead teachers who, by the lead teacher's second year, obtain at least:

(a)the minimum standard of a child development associate certification; or

(b)an associate or bachelor's degree in an early childhood education related field; and

(9)a kindergarten transition plan.

Amended by Chapter 525 , 2024 General Session