R277-712. Competency-based Grant Programs  


R277-712-1. Authority and Purpose
Latest version.

  (1) This rule is authorized by:

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

  (b) Section 53F-5-502, which requires the Board to:

  (i) define outcome-based measures for each type of grant awarded to LEA's;

  (ii) establish a grant application process;

  (iii) establish a review committee; and

  (iv) adopt metrics to analyze the quality of a grant application; and

  (c) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law.

  (2) The purpose of this rule is to:

  (a) define outcome-based measures for each type of grant awarded to LEA's;

  (b) establish a grant application process;

  (c) establish a review committee; and

  (d) adopt metrics to analyze the quality of a grant application.


R277-712-2. Definitions
Latest version.

  (1) "Advisory committee" means the advisory committee established by the Board in Section R277-712-3.

  (2) "Grant program" means the same as that term is defined in Subsection 53F-5-501(5).


R277-712-3. Competency-based Advisory Committee Membership and Duties
Latest version.

  (1) The advisory committee shall include the following ten individuals:

  (a) the Deputy Superintendent of Instructional Services or the Deputy's designee, who is a non-voting member of the advisory committee;

  (b) one member who is an expert in blended learning;

  (c) one member who is an expert in STEM education;

  (d) one member who is an expert in assessment of student learning;

  (e) one member who is a former school district superintendent;

  (f) one member who is a current school administrator;

  (g) one member who is a current charter school administrator;

  (h) one member who is a former LEA administrator;

  (i) one member who is a current teacher; and

  (j) one member who is a former teacher.

  (2) In addition to the committee members described in Subsection (1), the advisory committee may select additional grant application reviewers to assist the advisory committee with the work described in Subsection (3).

  (3) The advisory committee shall:

  (a) establish metrics to analyze the quality of a grant application;

  (b) review an LEA's planning grant application to determine whether the planning grant application:

  (i) meets the criteria described in Section 53F-5-503 and Section R277-712-5; and

  (ii) should be selected by the Board as one of three LEAs to receive a planning grant;

  (c) make a recommendation to the Superintendent and the Board on which grant applications should be selected by the Board; and

  (d) perform other duties as directed by:

  (i) the Board; or

  (ii) the Superintendent.

  (4) The advisory committee, or the Superintendent on behalf of the advisory committee, shall present the advisory committee's recommendations on grant applications to the Board for approval.


R277-712-4. Pre-grant Approval Requirements
Latest version.

  (1) Before an LEA submits a planning grant application to the advisory committee for approval by the Board, the LEA shall have at least two LEA representatives participate in the competency-based technical assistance training conducted by the Superintendent, including;

  (a) the school district superintendent or charter school executive director; and

  (b)(i) the LEA's curriculum director; or

  (ii) the LEA's proposed competency-based education program manager.

  (2) A member of an LEA's local school board or charter school governing board and other staff identified by the applying LEA may participate in the technical assistance training described in Subsection (1).


R277-712-5. Grant Application
Latest version.

  (1) An LEA may apply for a planning grant described in Section 53F-5-503 by submitting an application to the Superintendent.

  (2) The Superintendent shall:

  (a) develop a grant application;

  (b) set a deadline for the application to be submitted to the Superintendent; and

  (c) make the grant application available to LEAs on the Board's website.


R277-712-6. Procedure and Requirements for Awarding a Planning Grant
Latest version.

  (1) The advisory committee and the Superintendent shall make recommendations to the Board based on:

  (a) the criteria described in Subsection 53F-5-503(2);

  (b) the LEA's proposed budget for the LEA's competency-based program; and

  (c) the LEA's outcome based measurements described in Subsection (2).

  (2)(a) For a planning grant, an LEA shall include outcome-based measurements as part of the LEA's competency-based program to measure the performance of the LEA's plan.

  (b) The outcome-based measurements described in Subsection (2)(a) shall include at least one measurement of student growth and proficiency.

  (c) The outcome-based measurements described in Subsection (2)(a) may include:

  (i) parent and student satisfaction with the LEA's competency-based program;

  (ii) cost savings;

  (iii) an increase in the LEA's graduation rate; and

  (iv) number of credits earned by students through the competency-based program.