The Law & Licensing Committee approved a new rule to establish a Focused Graduation Pathway (R277‑722) and amended the Utah High School Completion Diploma procedures (R277‑702) to create an exception allowing a student enrolled in the pathway to remain in K–12 while taking the GED. Both measures were approved on first reading and forwarded to the full board for final approval.

Deputy Superintendent Nooyi and adult education staff presented R277‑722, which describes the eligibility criteria, required LEA policies, and program safeguards for a pathway that allows certain students to pursue GED assessments while remaining enrolled in high school. Staff said the new rule is intended for students in unique circumstances who meet specific eligibility criteria and for schools that develop local policies and oversight procedures. The committee asked whether reporting and compliance consequences would be included; staff said noncompliance could result in a district or school losing authorization to operate the pathway and that some reporting language is included in the proposed text.

Board Member Leanne Lear proposed and the committee adopted an amendment to change a proposed fixed staff‑to‑student ratio for GED prep courses (originally written as 15:1) to a requirement that the LEA maintain a ratio not to exceed the participating school’s average ratio for GED preparation courses. Members said the shift recognizes local resource constraints while keeping a student‑safety expectation.

Committee members also asked staff to ensure that students with disabilities have appropriate access and that IDEA‑related obligations remain in effect for eligible students. Staff confirmed that existing federal/state special‑education rules would continue to apply. A related amendment to R277‑702 added an exception to allow Focused Graduation Pathway participants to remain enrolled while taking GED assessments; the committee passed the rule as amended.

Both drafts were approved unanimously and will be included in the packet to the full Utah State Board of Education.