House approves bill separating academic grades from new optional ‘citizenship’ grade tied to attendance
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Summary
The House passed substitute HB 502 after extended debate. Sponsor Representative Walton said the bill separates academics from a voluntary 'citizenship' grade (centered on attendance, engagement and deadlines) and allows local education agencies to adopt test-out options and attendance weightings; opponents warned it could undercut proficiency-based grading.
After extended questioning and multiple amendments on Feb. 26, the Utah House approved substitute HB 502, a bill that separates academic grades from an optional 'citizenship' grade, creates a core-class 'test out' option, and allows local education agencies (LEAs) to adopt attendance-weighted policies in certain classes.
Sponsor Representative Walton said the measure is intended to preserve the integrity of academic grading while creating a measurable citizenship framework that emphasizes attendance, engagement and meeting deadlines. "There's a lot of arguments that say that an academic grade should be an academic grade," Walton said. "This does two things on the citizenship grade: it separates academics from citizenship... and it will allow USBE to make a model, citizenship policy that's centered around attendance, meeting deadlines, engagement and communication." (Representative Walton)
The bill allows LEAs to opt into a citizenship model; if they do, the framework could include a tax-deductible scholarship fund and a testing option for students who can demonstrate competency and wish to receive credit without seat time. Walton said excused absences would be excluded and the policy allows flexibility: "If you're going on vacation... that will not calculate towards the 10% of your grade." Several members urged clarity in the draft language to ensure valid excused absences are not penalized.
Opponents raised concerns that the measure conflicts with proficiency-based grading and could penalize students who demonstrate mastery but miss seat time for legitimate reasons. Representative Auxier argued the state has moved to proficiency-based assessment and warned against reintroducing an in-seat time emphasis. "We either need to take a step away from proficiency based grading and go to in seat time, or we need to say we actually do really believe in proficiency based grading," Auxier said.
Floor amendments clarified assessment language and LEA discretion. After debate the House recorded a final tally: substitute HB 502 passed with 51 yes votes and 21 no votes and will be sent to the Senate.