GCG- School Climate Surveys
Created: 3 April 202
Modified: 5 February 2026
GCG- School Climate Surveys
Definition
For purposes of this policy:
“Climate” means the perceptions and experiences of students, staff, parents, and the community regarding the school’s environment and the resources that support the experiences.
“Culture” means the beliefs, values, and practices that shape how a school functions and influences student learning and well-being through policies, procedures, and safety protocols.
“Physical space” means the way in which a building is designed and structured to promote safety, including the minimum safety and security standards established by the State Security Chief under Utah Code § 53-22-102.
School Safety” means the physical space, culture, and climate of a school.
“School Climate Survey” or “climate survey” means a survey that evaluates a range of aspects of the educational environment to assess perceptions and identify specific strengths and weaknesses within a school.
“School Community” means relevant stakeholders, including parents, students, administration, school building staff (including certified and education support personnel), and school resource officers.
“Survey Group” means each version of the school climate survey administered to a distinct stakeholder group.
Utah Code § 53-22-102 (2025)
Utah Code § 53G-8-102 (2025)
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-2 (October 8, 2025)
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-4(2)(b) (October 8, 2025)
Administration of Climate Survey
The District may administer a school climate survey but is not required to do so. The District may use the Utah State Board of Education Model Climate Survey but is not required to do so.
If the District chooses to administer the Utah State Board of Education Model Climate Survey, it shall be given with parental consent as provided in Policy FEA, to all schools in the District, using a State Board of Education approved online provider, in an anonymous and randomized manner, to all students across all academic levels, with participation from at least 35% or 400 responses per survey group (whichever is fewer), and in additional languages relevant to the school community where feasible. The District may not modify any existing survey questions but may or include or remove additional questions consistent with student data privacy requirements and for student survey groups.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-3(1)(a), (b) (October 8, 2025)
Administrators shall provide students with a Section 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP) with appropriate accommodations. A student may request a different survey administrator. The survey may be administered orally to a student if measures are put into place to protect the confidentiality of the student’s responses and the identity of the survey administrator from the general public.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-3(2) (October 8, 2025)
Confidentiality of Survey Information
The responses provided by adults to climate surveys are designated as private information under Policy GA and the Utah Government Records Access and Management Act and access to such information will be allowed only as permitted under that policy and statute. The responses provided by students to climate surveys are student records for purposes of Policy FE and FERPA and access to those records will be allowed only as permitted under that policy and statute.
Utah Admin. Rules R277-623-3(1)(c) (October 8, 2025)
Access to Model Surveys
The USBE Model School Climate Survey can be obtained at the Utah State Board of Education offices and online by clicking here.
https://schools.utah.gov/administrativerules/documentsincorporated