No. 31583 (New Rule): R277-710. International Baccalaureate Programs

DAR File No.: 31583
Filed: 06/16/2008, 03:33
Received by: NL

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

This new rule is in response to 2008 legislation in S.B. 2 that adds the International Baccalaureate Programs (IB) to the appropriations and programs associated with accelerated learning programs with the intent of $100,000 to be used for IB Programs. (DAR NOTE: S.B. 2 (2008) is found at Chapter 397, Laws of Utah 2008, and was effective 03/20/2008.)

Summary of the rule or change:

The new rule provides for eligibility; student tuition, fees and credit for IB Programs; use of and distribution of IB funds; and an annual reporting requirement.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

Section 53A-17a-120, and Subsections 53A-1-402(1) and 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. Funding will be provided to eligible school districts for participation in the IB Program. Any requirements of the Utah State Board of Education/Utah State Office of Education will be administered by existing staff within existing budget.

local governments:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to local government. Eligible school districts that participate in the IB Program will receive funding appropriated by the 2008 Legislature.

small businesses and persons other than businesses:

There are no anticipated costs or savings to small businesses AND persons other than businesses. The program is intended for public school districts and does not involve businesses or other persons.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Eligible school districts that participate in the IB Program will receive funding appropriated by the 2008 Legislature.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses. Patti Harrington, State Superintendent of Public Instruction

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at [e-mail]

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

07/31/2008

This rule may become effective on:

08/07/2008

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

RULE TEXT

R277. Education, Administration.

R277-710. International Baccalaureate Programs.

R277-710-1. Definitions.

A. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

B. "Candidate IB school" means the initial period between a school's application as an approved IB school (at various levels) and final approval by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

C. "DP" means Diploma Program.

D. "IB" means International Baccalaureate.

E. "International Baccalaureate Organization" means the nonprofit educational foundation located in four regions: North America and the Caribbean; Africa/Europe/Middle East; Latin America; Asia/Pacific.

F. "International Baccalaureate (IB) Program" means the International Baccalaureate Program established by the International Baccalaureate Organization.

G. "MYP" means Middle Years Program.

H. "PYP" means Primary Years Program.

I. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

J. "Weight Pupil Unit (WPU)" means the basic state funding unit.

 

R277-710-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3 which provides for the Board to have general supervision and control over public schools and by Section 53A-17a-120 which directs the Board to adopt rules for the expenditure of funds appropriated for accelerated learning programs, Section 53A-1-402(1) which allows the Board to adopt minimum standards for access to programs, SB 2, Section 31, Intent Language which directs $100,000 of the 2008-09 appropriation for accelerated learning programs to International Baccalaureate programs, and Section 53A-1-401(3) which allows the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities.

B. The purpose of this rule is to specify the procedures and standards schools/school districts shall follow to qualify for state funds for the IB Program.

 

R277-710-3. Eligibility.

A. All school districts are eligible to apply to the International Baccalaureate Organization to participate in the IB Program which may include the Diploma Program, the Middle Years Program and the Primary Years Program..

B. School districts who participate in IB Programs have primary responsibility for identifying students who are eligible to participate in IB classes.

C. Each student participating in the IB Program shall have a current student education/occupation plan (SEOP) on file at the participating school, required under Section 53A-1a-106(2)(b).

 

R277-710-4. Student Tuition, Fees and Credit for IB Programs.

A. Tuition may not be charged to high school students for participation in the IB Program, consistent with Section 53A-15-101(6)(b)(iii).

B. All student costs related to IB classes, which may include consumables, lab fees, copying, and material costs, as well as textbooks required for the course, are subject to fee waiver consistent with R277-407.

C. The school district/school shall be responsible for these waivers.

D. A student shall receive high school credit for IB classes that are consistent with the school district policies, and R277-705, Secondary School Completion and Diplomas, for awarding credit.

 

R277-710-5. Use of and Distribution of IB Funds.

A. School district use of state funds for the IB Program shall be limited to the following:

(1) to offset the costs of funding smaller IB classes;

(2) to fund workshops or training within or outside the school district to begin implementing, or coordinating an IB Program;

(3) to purchase any of the following for library, laboratory, or direct classroom use:

(a) needed supplemental texts;

(b) student curriculum guides;

(c) materials; and

(d) equipment;

(4) to pay an IB teacher providing direct student IB instruction;

(5) to aid in staff development which may include:

(a) teacher stipends for tuition and lodging expenses connected with the pursuit of additional training on specified IB curriculum taught by the teacher

(b) to pay the costs for student exams; and

(c) to assist with costs of distance learning programs, equipment or instructors which increase the IB options in a school.

(6) other uses approved in writing by the USOE consistent with the law and purposes of this rule.

B. Funds allocated to school districts for IB Programs or credit shall not be used for any other program.

C. Funds shall be distributed on the basis of the following:

(1) 50 percent of the total funds designated for the IB shall be distributed according to the number of IB semester hours successfully completed by students registered through the school district in the prior year compared to the state total of completed IB credits.

(2) The remaining 50 percent allocation shall be distributed equally to schools where students scored a grade of 4 or higher on IB exams, resulting in a fixed amount of dollars per exam passed.

D. All candidate IB and approved IB schools shall be equally eligible for funding.

 

R277-710-6. Annual Reporting and Other Student Instruction Issues.

A. The Board shall develop uniform deadlines, forms, and fiscal and pupil accounting procedures for the IB Program.

B. School districts/charter schools participating in the IB Program shall provide the USOE with end-of-year expenditure reports itemized by the categories requested by the USOE.

C. School districts/charter schools participating in the IB Program shall provide for parental permission for students to participate in IB classes.

D. This rule shall apply to IB programs operating and approved as of the 2008-09 school year, and continue thereafter.

 

KEY: international baccalaureate

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2008

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-17a-120; 53A-1-402(1)(c); 53A-1-401(3)