No. 41649 (New Rule): Rule R357-20. Education Computing Partnerships

(New Rule)

DAR File No.: 41649
Filed: 05/15/2017 04:56:22 PM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

The rule is required by S.B. 190 from the 2017 General Session which creates a computing education partnership with several entities. The rule is written to fulfill the requirements of this legislation to outline the criteria and process of grants given under the program created in this legislation.

Summary of the rule or change:

Subsection 63N-12-214(4) requires the STEM Action Center, in consultation with the Utah State Board of Education, make rules for the administration of the grant program and awarding of grants; and define outcome-based measures appropriate to the type of grant awarded under this part of the Utah Code.

Statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Section 63N-12-214

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no cost or savings to the state budget because this rule is part of a program funded by the legislature as part of S.B. 190 from the 2017 General Session.

local governments:

This rule does not affect local governments directly in any cost or savings but does provide how a local education agency may apply for the grants this rule outlines the process for.

small businesses:

Small businesses will not be affected by this rule because they cannot apply for the grants this rule addresses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There are no other persons that would affected by this rule except for education providers that fit the statutory definition of those eligible for applying for grants. This rule outlines the criteria considered for receiving a grant and therefore, does not have a direct cost or savings to affected persons outside of their ability to qualify for a grant. There could be indirect costs incurred if a potential applicant needs to make internal changes to become eligible for the grant. However, no element of this rule is compulsory because the grant and applying for the grant is optional.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons associated with this rule because the rule only outlines the criteria and process for grant eligibility.

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

There are no impacts on business for the is rule because businesses cannot receive this grant.

Val Hale, Executive Director

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

Governor
Economic Development
60 E SOUTH TEMPLE 3RD FLR
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Jeffrey Van Hulten at the above address, by phone at 801-538-8694, by FAX at 801-538-8888, 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:

07/03/2017

This rule may become effective on:

07/10/2017

Authorized by:

Val Hale, Executive Director

RULE TEXT

R357. Governor, Economic Development.

R357-20. Education Computing Partnerships.

R357-20-1. Authority.

(1) Utah Code Annotated 63N-12-214(4) requires the STEM Action Center in consultation with the Utah State Board of Education makes rules for the administration of the grant program and awarding of grants; and to define outcome-based measures appropriate to the type of grant awarded under this part of the Utah Code.

 

R357-20-2. Definitions.

(1) This rule adopts the definitions found in Utah Code Section 63N-12-201 et seq.

(2) "USBE" means Utah State Board of Education.

 

R357-20-3. Grant Requirements and Review Process.

(1) The STEM Action Center, in consultation with the USBE, will determine the maximum amount of the award during any application cycle.

(2) The number of awards in each grant cycle can vary.

(3) The STEM Action Center, in consultation with the USBE, shall determine applicant eligibility criteria during any application cycle and all criteria will be posted in the applications for that grant cycle.

(4) The STEM Action Center, with input from the established review committee and the USBE and in accordance with statute, will determine allowed and disallowed costs during any application period and a list of all allowable and disallowed costs will be included in the application for each grant cycle.

(5) Applicants may request funds for activities that represent a critical component of a full pathway, as long as they indicate where the activities or efforts fit into a pathway, or are envisioned to fit within a pathway.

(6) Hardware and capital infrastructure funding requests may not exceed 10% of the total budget request. Hardware and capital infrastructure shall be defined by the grant agreement received by a successful applicant.

(7) The STEM Action Center Board, with recommendations by the STEM AC staff and in consultation with the USBE, shall have final funding approval rights for all successful applicants.

(8) Eligible applicants shall include Local Education Agencies and individual schools.

(9) Fiscal agents may sub-contract with partners that are approved for funding and they shall use their organization's approved procurement procedures and policies for sub-contract awards.

(10) The type of grants (one year versus multiple years; pilot versus scale and replication) are allowed and can vary with each application cycle and clear indications of what type of grant is and are available will be provided on the STEM Action Center's website or wherever the application is made available.

(11) The competitive application process will include a Request for Grants solicitation, subsequent review and recommended selection for funding by an independent committee and final awards to be made by the STEM Action Center, in consultation with the USBE and with approval of the STEM Action Center Advisory Board. Awards will be administered by the STEM Action Center, using an established Grant Agreement process that has been approved by the State Procurement office.

(12) The review committee, with the organizational representation defined in 63N-12-214, shall consist of four K-16 education representatives (with equal representation from elementary and secondary), two higher education representatives, one USBE representative, one Talent Ready Utah representative and three industry representatives. The STEM Action Center, in consultation with USBE, shall select the representatives for the review committee.

 

R357-20-4. Outcome Based Measures.

(1) The measures can be quantitative and/or qualitative in nature

(2) The STEM Action Center, with input from the review committee, shall define the outcome-based measures for each application cycle and make such measures available online or in the application for each grant cycle.

(3) The STEM Action Center shall provide evaluation, monitoring and reporting support for the grants through its third party evaluation partners (Utah Valley University and the University of Utah).

 

KEY: STEM action center, computing partnerships, pathways

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: 2017

Authorizing, Implemented, or Interpreted Law: 63N-12-214

---