R277-720. Reimbursement Program for Early Graduation from Competency-Based Education  


R277-720-1. 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) Subsection 53F-2-511(1)(c)(ii), which allows the Board to make rules to specify additional criteria for an LEA to be eligible for a competency-based education early graduation reimbursement; and

  (d) Subsection 53F-2-511(6), which allows the Board to make rules for the administration of the Reimbursement Program for Early Graduation from Competency-Based Education.


R277-720-2. Definitions
Latest version.

  (1) "Advisory Committee" means the Competency-based Advisory Committee created in Section R277-712-3.

  (2) "Eligible LEA" means an LEA that:

  (a) has demonstrated to the Board that the LEA or, for a school district, a school within the LEA, provides and facilitates competency-based education that is based on the core principles described in Section 53F-5-502; and

  (b) has an approved competency-based education program that includes:

  (i) at least one outcome measure for each indicator level required by the Superintendent;

  (ii) outcome measures that are disaggregated by student subgroups where possible; and

  (iii) at least one outcome measure for student growth and proficiency.

  (3) "Eligible student" means a student who:

  (a) meets the requirements described in Subsection 53F-2-511(1)(d);

  (b) has been flagged by an LEA as a competency-based education participant.

  (4) "Program" means the Reimbursement Program for Early Graduation from Competency-Based Education described in Section 53F-2-511.


R277-720-3. Competency Based Education Designation
Latest version.

  (1) To receive a competency-based education designation, an eligible LEA shall:

  (a) submit an application in the form prescribed by the Superintendent to the advisory committee;

  (b) submit the application in Subsection (1)(a) no later than April 1st of the school year prior to the school year in which the LEA intends to seek reimbursement; and

  (c) have an approved competency-based education plan pursuant to R277-712.

  (2) The advisory committee shall review all applications and make recommendations to the Board based on the Board approved competency-based education core principals and measures described in R277-712.

  (3) The Board shall approve or deny the recommendations made by the advisory committee.

  (4) If approved, an eligible LEA's competency-based education designation shall last for the following three years, provided the school continues to operate on a competency-based model.

  (5) An eligible LEA may not retroactively use an approved competency-based education designation for reimbursement of eligible students.

  (6) If an eligible LEA does not have a current competency-based education designation, the eligible LEA may not use the approved competency-based education designation for reimbursement of eligible students in the school year in which the eligible LEA's application is approved.


R277-720-4. Early Graduation Reimbursement
Latest version.

  (1) An eligible LEA with a competency-based education designation may seek reimbursement for an eligible student beginning October 2021 for membership generated in the 2020-2021 school year.

  (2) The reimbursement amount shall be calculated by the Superintendent in the following manner:

  (a) the amount of weighted pupil unit lost due to early graduation for each eligible student shall be determined as described by Subsection 53F-2-511(5);

  (b) the total amount of lost weighted pupil unit for each eligible student shall be used to establish an LEA aggregate total and a statewide aggregate total for all eligible students;

  (c) if the statewide aggregate total is equal to or less than the total amount allocated for the program by the legislature, an eligible LEA shall be reimbursed the LEA aggregate total;

  (d) if the statewide aggregate total exceeds the total amount allocated for the program by the legislature, an eligible LEA shall be reimbursed a prorated amount proportionate to the percentage that the LEA aggregate total is of the statewide aggregate total.

  (3) An LEA shall not receive a reimbursement for an eligible student that exceeds the amount outlined in Subsection 53F-2-511(5)(a).