R277-911. Secondary Career and Technical Education, R277. Education, Administration, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R277. Education, Administration

R277-911. Secondary Career and Technical Education

R277-911-1. 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;

(b) 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;

(c) Section 53E-3-507, which allows the Board to establish minimum standards for CTE programs in the public education system; and

(d) Sections 53F-2-311 and 53G-6-708, which direct the Board to distribute specific amounts and percentages for specific CTE programs and facilitate administration of various programs.

(2) This rule establishes standards and procedures for LEAs seeking to qualify for funds administered by the Board for CTE programs in the public education system.

R277-911-2. Definitions

Latest version.

(1) "Aggregate membership" means the sum of all days in membership during a school year for:

(a) the student;

(b) the program;

(d) the LEA; or

(e) the state.

(2) "Approved program" means a program annually approved by the Board through the consent calendar process that meets or exceeds the state program standards or outcomes for career and technical education programs.

(3) "Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training" means a branch office for apprenticeship administered by the United States Department of Labor and located in Salt Lake City.

(4)(a) "Career and technical education" or "CTE" means organized educational programs that:

(i) prepare individuals for a wide range of high-skill, high-demand careers;

(ii) provide all students with a seamless education system from public education to post-secondary education, driven by a Plan for College and Career Readiness; and

(iii) provide students competency-based instruction, hands-one experiences, and certified occupational skills, culminating in further education and meaningful employment.

(b) CTE areas of study include:

(i) agriculture;

(ii) business;

(iii) family and consumer sciences;

(iv) health science;

(v) information technology;

(vi) marketing;

(vii) skilled and technical sciences; and

(viii) technology and engineering education.

(5)(a) "CTE pathway" means a planned sequence of courses within a program of study to assure strong academic and technical preparation connecting high school course work to work beyond high school.

(b) A CTE pathway ensures that a student will be prepared to take advantage of the full range of post-secondary options, including:

(i) on-the-job training;

(ii) certification programs; and

(iii) two- and four-year college degrees.

(6)(a) "Course" means an individual CTE class structured by state-approved standards.

(b) An approved course may require one or two periods for up to one year.

(7)(a) "Entry-level" means a set of tasks identified and validated by workers and employers in an occupation as those of a beginner in the field.

(b) Entry-level skills are a limited subset of the total set of tasks performed by an experienced worker in the occupation.

(8) "Extended year program" means CTE programs no longer than 12 weeks in duration, offered during the summer recess, and supported by extended-year or other CTE funds.

(9) "CTE Maintenance of Effort" or "MOE" means the expenditure plan outlined in Subsection R277-911-4(1).

(10) "Program" means a combination of CTE courses that:

(a) provides the competencies for specific job placement or continued related training; and

(b) is outlined in the Plan for College and Career Readiness using all available and appropriate high school courses.

(11) "Program completion" means the student completion of a sequence of approved courses, work-based learning experiences, or other prescribed learning experiences as determined by the Plan for College and Career Readiness.

(12) "Regional consortium" means the LEAs, applied technology colleges, colleges and universities within the regions that approve CTE programs.

(13) "Registered apprenticeship" means a training program that:

(a) includes on-the-job training in a specific occupation combined with related classroom training; and

(b) has approval of the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

(14) "Related training" means a course or program that is:

(a) directly related to an occupation;

(b) compatible with apprenticeship training;

(d) approved by the Bureau of Apprenticeship and Training.

(15) "Scope and sequence" means the organization of all CTE courses and related academic courses into programs within the high school curriculum that lead to:

(a) specific skill certification;

(b) job placement;

(d) training.

(16)(a) "Skill certification" means a verification of competent task performance.

(b) Skills certification is provided by an approved state or national program certification process.

(17) "Weighted pupil unit" or "WPU" means the basic unit used to calculate the amount of state funds for which an LEA is eligible.

(18) "Work-based learning" or "WBL" means a continuum of awareness, exploration, preparation, and training activities that combine structured learning and authentic work experiences implemented through industry and education partnerships.

R277-911-3. CTE Program Approval

Latest version.

(1)(a) The Superintendent shall approve CTE programs based on verified training needs of the area and the competencies necessary to provide occupational opportunities for students.

(b) Programs are supported by a data base, including:

(i) local, regional, state, and federal manpower projections;

(ii) student occupational/interest surveys;

(iii) regional job profile;

(iv) advisory committee information; and

(v) follow-up evaluation and reports.

(2) LEA CTE directors shall meet the requirements specified in R277-911.

(3) Within available resources, instructional materials, including textbooks, reference materials, and media, shall reflect current technology, processes, and information for the CTE programs.

(4)(a) An LEA shall provide CTE guidance, counseling, and Board approved testing for students enrolled in CTE programs.

(b) An LEA shall develop a written plan for placement services with the assistance of local advisory committees, business and industry, and the Department of Workforce Services.

(i) a student's education occupation plans (grades 7-12), including job placement when appropriate;

(ii) all Board, local board and local charter board graduation requirements;

(iii) evidence of annual parent, student, and school representative involvement;

(iv) attainment of approved workplace skill competencies; and

(v) identification of a CTE post-secondary goal and an approved sequence of academic and CTE courses.

(5)(a) An LEA shall use curricula and instruction that is directly related to business and industry validated competencies.

(b) An LEA shall use a valid skill certification process to verify successful completion of competencies.

(c) An LEA shall provide instruction in proper and safe use of any equipment required for skill certification within the approved program.

(6) An LEA shall provide and safely maintain equipment and facilities, consistent with the validated competencies identified in the instruction standard and applicable state and federal laws.

(7)(a) Counselors and instructional staff shall hold valid Utah teaching licenses with endorsements appropriate for the programs they teach.

(b) Licenses and endorsements required under Subsection (7)(a) may be obtained through an institutional recommendation or through occupational and educational experience verified by the Board's licensure process.

(c) CTE program instructors shall keep technical and professional skills current through business and industry involvements in order to ensure that students are provided accurate state-of-the-art information.

(8) An LEA shall conduct CTE programs consistent with Board policies and state and federal laws and regulations on access that prohibit discrimination on the basis of:

(a) race;

(b) creed;

(d) national origin;

(e) religion;

(f) age;

(g) sex; and

(h) disability.

(9)(a) An LEA shall establish an active advisory council to review all CTE programs annually.

(b) An advisory council may serve several LEAs or a region.

(i) program offerings;

(ii) quality of programs; and

(iii) equipment needs.

(10) A program advisory committee made up of individuals who are working in the occupational area shall support each state-funded approved CTE program at the LEA or regional level.

(11) LEAs are encouraged to make training available through nationally-chartered CTE student leadership organizations in each area of study.

(12) An LEA, with oversight by local program advisory committee members, shall make an annual evaluation of its CTE programs.

R277-911-4. Disbursement and Expenditure of CTE Funds -- General Standards

Latest version.

(1) To be eligible for state CTE program funds, an LEA shall first expend for CTE programs an amount equivalent to the regular WPU for students in approved CTE programs, grades nine through twelve, based on prior year aggregate membership in funded CTE programs, times the current year WPU value, less the amount for:

(a) college and career awareness;

(b) work-based learning; and

(2) An LEA may thereafter expend State CTE program funds only for approved CTE programs, grades nine through twelve.

(3) An LEA that does not meet MOE may be subject to a corrective action plan and potential reduction of funds or penalty in accordance with R277-114.

R277-911-5. Disbursement of Funds -- Added Cost Funds

Latest version.

(1)(a) WPUs shall be allocated for the added instructional costs of approved CTE programs operated or contracted by an LEA.

(b) Programs and courses provided through technical colleges and higher education institutions do not qualify for added cost funds except for specific contractual arrangements approved by the Board.

(2)(a) Computerized or manually produced records for CTE programs shall be kept by:

(i) teacher;

(ii) class; and

(iii) core code.

(b) Records described in Subsection (2)(a) shall show clearly and accurately the entry and exit date of each student and whether a student has been absent from a CTE class ten consecutive days.

(3) Added cost funds shall not be generated:

(a) during bus travel;

(b) until a student starts attending an approved CTE course;

(4) Approved CTE programs shall receive funds determined by prior year hours of membership for approved programs.

(5) Allocations under this R277-911-5 are computed using grades nine through twelve aggregate membership in approved programs for the previous year with a growth factor applied to LEAs experiencing growth of one percent or greater in grades nine through twelve except as provided by R277-462 and R277-916.

(6) Added cost funds shall be used to cover the added CTE program instructional costs of LEA programs.

(7) An LEA that does not comply with the requirements of this Subsection may be subject to a corrective action plan and potential reduction of funds or penalty in accordance with R277-114.

R277-911-6. Disbursement of Funds -- Skill Certification

Latest version.

(1) An LEA that demonstrates approved student skill certification may receive additional compensation.

(2)(a) To be eligible for skill certification compensation, an LEA shall show its student completer has demonstrated mastery of standards, as established by the Board.

(b) An authorized test administrator shall verify student mastery of the skill standards.

(3) The Superintendent may only disburse skill certification compensation if an approved skill certification assessment is developed for the program.

R277-911-7. Disbursement of Funds -- CTE Leadership Organization Funds

Latest version.

(1) Participating LEAs sponsoring CTE leadership organizations shall be eligible for a portion of funds set aside for these organizations.

(2) Qualifying CTE leadership organizations shall be nationally chartered and include:

(a) SkillsUSA (an association of Skilled and Technical Sciences Education students);

(b) DECA (Distributive Education Clubs of America);

(d) HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America);

(e) FBLA (Future Business Leaders of America);

(f) FCCLA (Family, Career and Community Leaders of America); and

(g) TSA (Technology Students Association).

(3) Up to 1% of the state CTE appropriation for LEAs shall be allocated to eligible LEAs based on documented prior year student membership in approved CTE leadership organizations.

(4)(a) A portion of funds allocated to an LEA for CTE leadership organizations shall be used to pay the LEA's portion of statewide administrative and national competition costs.

(b) An LEA shall use the remaining amount available for the LEA's CTE leadership organization expenses.

R277-911-8. Disbursement of Funds -- School District and Charter School WPUs

Latest version.

(1) The Superintendent shall allocate WPUs for costs of administration of CTE programs as described in this section.

(2)(a) The Superintendent shall distribute Twenty (20) WPUs to a school district for costs associated with the administration of CTE.

(b) To qualify, a school district shall employ a minimum one-half time CTE director.

(3)(a) To encourage multidistrict CTE administrative services, the Superintendent shall distribute 25 WPUs to a school district that consolidates CTE administrative services with one or more other school districts;

(b) To qualify, a participating school district shall employ a full-time CTE director.

(4)(a) The Superintendent shall distribute Twenty-five (25) WPUs to a single charter school acting as fiscal agent, to provide CTE administrative services to a group of at least 10 charter schools offering CTE pathways, grades 9-12.

(b) If more than 10 charter schools offer CTE pathways, the Superintendent shall distribute an additional 5 WPUs for each additional charter school over 10.

(5)(a) A district or charter school receiving additional WPUs under Subsection (3)(a) or (4)(a) shall annually submit to the Superintendent a Memorandum of Understanding with each partnering district or school, which shall include:

(i) a scope of work to be performed by the full-time CTE director for each LEA or school involved;

(ii) provisions for sharing data under the agreement, including provisions for protecting the privacy of student education records under FERPA;

(iii) maintenance of effort requirements; and

(iv) other information as directed by the Superintendent.

(b) The Superintendent may withhold funds from a district or charter school under Rule R277-114 for failure to submit a memorandum of understanding as required by this rule.

(6)(a) The Superintendent shall distribute 10 WPUs to a small school district consisting of only necessarily existent small high school(s), where multi-district CTE administration is not feasible.

(b) To qualify, a small school district shall assign a CTE director to a minimum of part-time CTE administration.

(7) To qualify for 10, 20 or 25 CTE administrative WPUs as provided in this Subsections (1) through (6), a CTE director shall:

(a) hold or be in the process of completing requirements for a Education Leadership License Area of Concentration described in R277-505;

(b) have an endorsement in at least one career and technical area listed in Rule R277-518; and

(c)(i) have four years of experience as a full-time career and technical educator; or

(ii) complete a prescribed professional development program provided by the Superintendent within a period of two years following board appointment as an LEA CTE director.

(8) In addition to WPUs appropriated under Subsections (1) through (6), the Superintendent shall allocate funds to each approved high school as described in Subsections (9) through (16):

(9) The Superintendent shall distribute 10 WPUs to a high school that:

(a) conducts approved programs in a minimum of two CTE areas specified in Subsection R277-911-1(4)(b);

(b) conducts a minimum of six different state-approved CTE courses including at least one CTE pathway; and

(10) Consolidated courses in small schools may count as more than one course as approved by the Superintendent.

(11) The Superintendent shall distribute 15 WPUs to a high school that:

(a) conducts approved programs in a minimum of three CTE areas specified in Subsection R277-911-2(4)(b);

(b) conducts a minimum of nine different state-approved CTE courses including at least one CTE pathway; and

(12) Consolidated courses in small schools may count as more than one course as approved by the Superintendent.

(13) The Superintendent shall distribute 20 WPUs to a high school that:

(a) conducts approved programs in a minimum of four CTE areas specified in Subsection R277-911-2(4)(b);

(b) conducts a minimum of twelve different state-approved CTE courses including at least two CTE pathways; and

(14) Consolidated courses in small schools may count more than one course as approved by the Superintendent.

(15) The Superintendent shall distribute 25 WPUs to a high school that:

(a) conducts approved programs in a minimum of five CTE areas specified in Subsection R277-911-2(4)(b);

(b) conducts a minimum of fifteen different state-approved CTE courses including at least two CTE pathways; and

(16) Consolidated courses in small schools may count more than one course as approved by the Superintendent.

(17)(a) A maximum of one approved alternative high school, as outlined in Rule R277-730, per school district may qualify for funds under Subsection (12).

(b) LEAs sharing an alternative school shall receive a prorated share.

(18) Programs and courses provided through school district technical centers may not receive funding under this section.

R277-911-9. Disbursement of Funds -- School District Technical Centers

Latest version.

(1)(a) The Superintendent may award a maximum of forty WPUs for each school district operating an approved school district center.

(b) To qualify under the approved school district technical center provision, the school district shall:

(i) provide at least one facility other than an existing high school as a designated school district technical center;

(ii) employ a full-time CTE administrator for the center;

(iii) enroll a minimum of 400 students in the school district technical center;

(iv) prevent unwarranted duplication by the school district technical center of courses offered in existing high schools, applied technology colleges, and higher education institutions;

(v) centralize high-cost programs in the school district technical center;

(vi) conduct approved programs in a minimum of five CTE areas specified in Subsection R277-911-1(4)(b); and

(vii) conduct a minimum of fifteen different state-approved CTE courses.

R277-911-10. Disbursement of Funds -- Summer CTE Agriculture Programs

Latest version.

(1)(a) To receive state summer CTE agriculture program funds, an LEA shall submit to the Superintendent, an application for approval of the LEA's program.

(b) An LEA shall submit its application prior to the annual due date specified by the Superintendent each year.

(c) The Superintendent shall send notification of approval of an LEA's program within ten calendar days of receiving the application.

(2) A teacher of a summer CTE agriculture program shall:

(a) hold a valid Utah teaching license, with an endorsement in agriculture, as outlined in Subsection R277-911-3(7);

(b) develop a calendar of activities which shall be approved by LEA administration and reviewed by the Superintendent;

(c)(i) work a minimum of eight hours a day in the summer CTE agriculture program;

(ii) An LEA may approve exceptions which shall be reflected in the calendar of activities;

(d) not engage in other employment, including self-employment, which conflicts with the teacher's performance in the summer CTE agriculture program;

(e) develop and file a weekly schedule and a monthly report outlining accomplishments related to the calendar of activities with:

(i) the school principal;

(ii) the LEA CTE director; and

(iii) the Superintendent; and

(f) visit the participating students a minimum of two times during the summer program with a minimum average of four on-site visits to students.

(3) College interns may be approved to conduct summer CTE agriculture programs upon approval by the Superintendent.

(4) Students enrolled in the summer CTE agriculture program shall:

(a) have on file in the LEA office the student's Plan for College and Career Readiness goal related to agriculture;

(b) in conjunction with the student's parent or employer and the teacher, develop an individual plan of activities, including a supervised occupational experience program;

(d) have not have graduated from high school.

(5)(a) The Superintendent shall collect data from the program and staff of each LEA to ensure compliance with approved standards.

(b) An LEA shall submit to the Superintendent a final program report, on forms provided by the Superintendent on the annual due date specified by the Superintendent.

(6)(a) The Superintendent shall allocate Summer CTE agricultural funding to each LEA conducting an approved program for a minimum of 35 students lasting nine weeks.

(b) An LEA may receive funding for no more than nine weeks or 35 students.

(7) An LEA operating a program with fewer than 35 students per teacher or for fewer than nine weeks may only receive a prorated share of the summer CTE agricultural allocation.

R277-911-11. Disbursement of Funds - Comprehensive Counseling and Guidance; College and Career Awareness, and Work-Based Learning Programs

Latest version.

(1) The Superintendent shall distribute funds to LEAs consistent with Section 53F-2-311.

(2) An LEA shall spend funds distributed for comprehensive guidance consistent with Subsection 53E-2-304(2)(b) and R277-462, which explain the purpose and criteria for student Plans for College and Career Readiness.

(3) An LEA may spend funds allocated under this section to fund work-based learning programs consistent with Rules R277-915 and R277-916.

(4) An LEA may spend funds allocated under this section to fund College and Career Awareness programs consistent with Rule R277-916.