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State board approves online education rule, directs staff to revise homeschool definition
Summary
The Utah State Board of Education approved R277‑726 (Statewide Online Education Program) on second reading and added a directive for staff to revise the board’s homeschool definition in R277‑100. The board also voted on related funding- and definition-related questions after extended debate about students with IEPs and funding mechanisms.
The Utah State Board of Education voted unanimously to adopt R277‑726, the statewide online education program rule on second and final reading, while adding explicit direction for staff to review and revise the board’s homeschool definition in R277‑100.
The vote followed a lengthy discussion about how online providers must consider — rather than implement — students’ individualized education programs. "The actual word in case law and in the regulations is 'considered'," said Leah Voorhees, deputy superintendent for student achievement, explaining that federal law uses that standard and that teams must consider the student's full public education enrollment. Board members pressed staff for clarity about when students enrolled at home generate weighted pupil unit (WPU) funding and whether changes to rule language should instead be addressed in R277‑100.
Why it matters: The change addresses a complicated set of cases in which students are partially enrolled with online providers, dually enrolled with LEAs, or fully homeschooled — each situation can affect who implements IEPs and who claims state and federal dollars. The board’s amendment directs staff to reconcile rule language and bring a clearer definition back to the board.
What happened: The finance committee earlier presented a related capital projects item and later the board handled the R277‑726 motion. After questions from board members about whether providers or LEAs are responsible for implementing IEPs, Voorhees said teams must "consider the entirety of the public education enrollment," and explained state safeguards such as parents’ dispute‑resolution rights under IDEA. Member Boggess unsuccessfully moved to send the rule back to committee; instead an amendment was adopted to have staff update the homeschool definition in R277‑100 and the board approved the rule on second reading.
Next steps: Staff will draft revised language for R277‑100 and return to the board. The board asked staff to work with LEAs and higher education partners to ensure the revised definition aligns with federal IDEA requirements and with local funding practices.
Board action: Approve R277‑726 on second and final reading and direct staff to review and amend the homeschool definition in R277‑100 (unanimous; member Carrie absent).
