R277-492. Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) Centers Program, R277. Education, Administration, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R277. Education, Administration

R277-492. Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) Centers Program

R277-492-1. Authority and Purpose

Latest version.

(1) This rule is authorized by:

(a) Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board;

(b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which permits the Board to adopt rules to carry out its duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

(c) Section 53F-2-505, which provides for funding to establish extended contracts for participating teachers as part of the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Centers Initiative.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to establish:

(a) conditions for the Superintendent to manage the USTAR Program;

(b) standards and procedures for an LEA to submit a proposal for USTAR funding to develop and create USTAR Centers to enhance the LEA's ability to retain participating teachers, offer more opportunities for students, and use capital facilities more effectively by creating an extended contract; and

R277-492-2. Definitions

Latest version.

(1) "Extended" means either a longer contract day or a longer contract year for participating teachers.

(2) "LEA USTAR proposal" means a written proposal, including components required by the Board, developed and submitted by a school district/charter school applying for USTAR funding.

(3) "Participating teacher" means a:

(a) licensed mathematics teacher with a secondary (7-12) mathematics teaching assignment; or

(b) licensed science teacher with a secondary (7-12) science teaching assignment.

(4) "STEM" means science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

(5) "USTAR Program" means the grant program created in Section 53F-2-505.

R277-492-3. USTAR Proposal Criteria

Latest version.

(1) An LEA shall first identify the purpose or goal(s) of its USTAR proposal.

(2) Appropriate purposes may include:

(a) improvement in student test scores;

(b) satisfaction of specific academic goals for all students or various groups of students;

(d) improved school climate;

(e) increased opportunities for students to take remedial or college preparation courses;

(f) increased student enrollment in identified courses;

(g) additional opportunities for students to learn about specific or general higher education or career opportunities in math or science fields; or

(h) other purposes consistent with Subsection 53F-2-505(1)(b).

(3) In accordance with Section 53F-2-505(1)(b)(ii), an LEA shall provide a school schedule showing how it will extend hours of the school day or days of the school year to maximize employee and facility resources in furtherance of the proposal's goals.

(4) A USTAR proposal shall:

(a) explain how employees shall be used in the extended school day or extended school year to maximize their effectiveness with students, including how various groups of employees will participate including classified employees, licensed employees, and appropriate supervisors for all groups;

(b) use USTAR grant funds only to pay for hours or days worked by participating teachers with valid, current Utah educator licenses, even though various school employee groups may be necessary or desirable to achieve the purposes of the proposal;

(c) identify the number of designated employees that will participate in the extended school year or extended school day program with the understanding that USTAR grant funds may only be used for licensed participating teachers;

(d) identify the compensation that participating teachers shall receive, including increased insurance and benefit costs, if appropriate, which may be reported by groups of employees or by individual employees;

(e)identify how participating teachers will be evaluated for the extended hours or extended days worked;

(f) include a budget section, including anticipated costs and narrative; and

(g) include an annual evaluation component that provides opportunities for student, employee and parent participation in the assessment of the proposal's effectiveness.

R277-492-4. Superintendent Responsibilities

Latest version.

(1) The Superintendent shall provide statewide supervision of the USTAR program and budget, based on USTAR objectives, Board funding priorities, and available funds.

(2) The Superintendent shall solicit proposals from LEAs to participate in the USTAR grant program.

(3) In order to qualify for funding, an LEA shall submit a proposal to the Superintendent by June 2 annually.

(a) The Superintendent shall work with applicants that submit proposals early to improve proposals, to the extent of resources and time available.

(b) The Superintendent shall deliver final charter school proposals to the State Charter School Board for review and recommendation.

(4)(a) The State Charter School Board shall submit a consolidated request to the Superintendent, consistent with Subsection 53F-2-505(4), by June 20 annually.

(b) The State Charter Board and State Charter Board staff shall work with charter school applicants that submit proposals early to improve proposals, to the extent of resources and time available.

(5) The Superintendent shall receive all proposals from school districts, consider the consolidated request submitted by the State Charter Board as a proposal from one school district, and rank them on an objective scale or rubric prepared by the Superintendent.

(6) The Superintendent may appoint an expert review panel to prioritize proposals and recommend proposals for funding.

(7) The expert review panel, the Superintendent, or both, shall consider the priorities of Subsection 53F-2-505(5) in recommending and selecting the recipients, with the following objectives:

(a) rural, urban, large, small, growing and declining school districts (considering the consolidated charter request as one school district) having unique circumstances;

(b) as many pilot programs shall be funded as possible; and

(8) The Superintendent shall review recommendations, make final recommendations to the Board for funding, and notify applicants that receive funding no later than July 31 annually.

(9) The Superintendent shall provide funds to school districts/charter schools (or the consolidated charter recipient) consistent with Board distribution practices for grants.

R277-492-5. LEA and State Charter School Board Proposal Responsibilities

Latest version.

(1) School districts shall submit proposals that meet the standards of Section 53F-2-505 no later than June 2 annually.

(2) The State Charter Board shall complete its work under Subsection 53F-2-505(4) and submit its consolidated request to the Superintendent no later than June 20 annually.

(3) LEA proposals shall clearly demonstrate that all participants necessary for the success of a proposal are voluntary participants and understand the requirements of their participation.

(4) LEA participants shall demonstrate parent and community notification and support of the school district/charter school proposals.

(5) Proposals shall clearly demonstrate that at least 95% of allocated funds shall be used for extended contracts for licensed participating teachers.

(6) Proposals shall clearly demonstrate that the remaining 5% of allocated funds is used only for purposes identified under Subsection 53F-2-505(6)(b).

(7) LEAs that receive USTAR funding shall provide all required evaluations to the Superintendent as identified by their proposals consistent with timelines established by the Superintendent.

(8) LEAs that receive USTAR funding shall provide information as requested by the Superintendent during the time periods identified in the proposals, including allowing for visits of Board staff and review of student work or assessments.

R277-492-6. Final Decision-making and Reporting Requirements

Latest version.

(1) The Board's decisions for funding are final.

(2)(a) A grant recipient shall provide requested data or information related to its USTAR Funding to the Superintendent each year by June 30.

(b) The Superintendent may request additional information, data or budget information if annual reports or student assessments indicate that USTAR funding is being used ineffectively, for ineligible employees, or inconsistent with the LEA's proposal or the intent of the law or this rule.

(3) The USOE may interrupt USTAR funding to school districts/charter schools that do not meet timelines required by this rule or that do not provide complete information or evaluations required under this rule.