Board approves draft of Utah’s ESSA plan after debate over English‑learner language

The board approved draft 1 of Utah’s Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) plan and will forward it to the U.S. Department of Education after a unanimous 15‑0 vote. Chair Earl moved the motion and board members then voted to send the draft to federal officials.

Board members said the draft incorporates recommendations from APAC and changes intended to align the plan with Utah’s accountability system and with feedback gathered during public comment. “APAC’s made some recommendations. It’s gone out for public comment,” Chair Earl said, noting staff extended the public comment period after a broken link and followed up individually with commenters.

Why it matters: The amendments address English language learner (ELL) provisions and calculations used in Utah’s accountability framework and add guidance for an alternate English‑language proficiency assessment the state did not previously include. Those changes affect how ELL/MLL students’ proficiency and growth are measured in state reporting and accountability.

Staff framed the move as clarifying rather than final policy. Sydney McCarthy, director of assessment and accountability, said, “No. The WIDA is still our approved assessment.” McCarthy added that the board in August approved the current contract that will continue through 2030, and staff intentionally removed language naming a specific assessment so the ESSA plan would not require amendment if the state later changed vendors.

Board members also asked whether approving the plan now would preclude pursuing federal waivers. Sarah Whipkey, director of school improvement, said the waiver process would itself take about a year and a half and that pursuing waivers in tandem with the ESSA submission would delay implementation: “The waiver, if we went in that direction, is also another about a year and a half process. So if we pause this, we will be waiting another at least year and a half to get through.” She said the two federal processes are separate and that approving the plan would not block future waiver work.

Several members urged approval to give educators clearer guidance now. Member Rail, who pressed staff with technical questions in an earlier standards meeting, said the changes will “help our educators and our students a lot.” Member Carrie asked what would happen if the board did not pass the draft; staff replied the state would continue operating under the current approved plan while any waiver work proceeded.

What the board decided: The motion on the table — that the board approve draft 1 of Utah’s ESSA plan and forward it to the U.S. Department of Education — passed unanimously, 15 to 0.

Next steps: Staff will send the draft to the Department of Education and continue the separate work on potential waivers, which staff said would take additional time if pursued.