Superseded 7/1/2026

304 words·~1 min read·/ut/title-53e/chapter-4/7-2

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

Effective 7/1/2025

Superseded 7/1/2026

53E-4-204. Standards and graduation requirements.

(1)The state board shall establish rigorous core standards for Utah public schools and graduation requirements under Section 53E-3-501 for grades 9 through 12 that:

(a)are consistent with state law and federal regulations;

(b)use competency-based standards and assessments;

(c)include instruction that stresses general financial literacy from basic budgeting to financial investments, including bankruptcy education and a general financial literacy test-out option;

(d)include graduation requirements in language arts, mathematics, and science that exceed:

(i)3.0 units in language arts including up to 0.5 units emphasizing verbal communication completed in a course or a school sponsored activity;

(ii)2.0 units in mathematics; and

(iii)and 2.0 units in science; and

(e)include a graduation requirement in social studies that is equal to or exceeds 3.5 units, including at least 1.0 unit in American constitutional government and citizenship as described in Section 53E-4-205.2 ;

(f)ensure up to 0.5 units described in Subsection (1)(e) may be earned by:

(i)completing a course or a school sponsored activity emphasizing verbal communication provided that a significant portion of the course or activity is dedicated to civic education, including:

(A)policy analysis;

(B)governmental systems; and

(C)civic engagement; or

(ii)participation in the Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps described in 10 U.S.C Sec. 2031.

(2)The state board shall establish competency-based standards and assessments for elective courses.

(3)The state board shall study requiring all LEAs to issue a high school diploma to students who receive:

(a)an associate's degree with at least 60 credit hours from an accredited post-secondary institution; or

(b)an industry certification with at least 500 hours of instruction from a business, trade association, or other industry group in accordance with Section 53E-3-501 .

Amended by Chapter 142 , 2025 General Session