Board inserts 'strategies to increase engagement' into definitions rule and approves R277-100

The Utah State Board of Education on second and final reading amended and approved R277-100, the board’s definitions rule. The board inserted the words "strategies to" before "increase" so the rule reads, in part, "practices may include behavior plans, restorative practices, and strategies to increase engagement."

Board discussion focused on wording. A board member argued the original phrasing—"increasing engagement"—reads as an outcome rather than a practice, saying, "increasing engagement isn't a practice. It's an outcome of a practice." Vice Chair Bollinger responded that the committee intended to preserve previously included components and that wording adjustments were meant to clarify examples of accountability practices.

Board member (mover) proposed the amendment on the floor and it was seconded; the chair read the revised language aloud. The amendment passed unanimously. The board then approved R277-100 as amended on second and final reading; the motion passed unanimously with Member Davis absent.

The change updates the definitions package to make explicit that the rule lists examples of practices and strategies intended to drive engagement rather than labeling engagement itself as a practice.