R277-925. Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program, R277. Education, Administration, Utah Administrative Code

Utah Administrative Code (Current through November 1, 2019)

R277. Education, Administration

R277-925. Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program

R277-925-1. 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) Section 53A-1-401, which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and

(c) Section 53A-17a-173, which requires the Board to make rules for the administration of the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program.

(2) The purpose of this rule is to provide standards and procedures for the administration of the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program.

R277-925-2. Definitions

Latest version.

(1) "Eligible teacher" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53A-17a-173.

(2) "High poverty school" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53A-17a-173.

(3) "Local education agency" or "LEA" includes, for purposes of this rule, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.

(4) "Median growth percentile" or "MGP" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53A-17a-173.

(5) "Program" means the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program.

(6) "Standards assessment" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53A-1-604.

(7) State-assessed subject" means English language arts, mathematics, and science.

R277-925-3. Administration of the Program

Latest version.

(1) On or before December 1, the Superintendent shall:

(a) identify high poverty schools and eligible teachers in accordance with Subsection (2);

(b) distribute a list of eligible teachers to LEAs; and

(2) The Superintendent shall identify:

(a) high poverty schools based on the proportion of students who:

(i) qualify for free or reduced lunch in the current school year, based on the October 1 enrollment headcounts; and

(ii) are classified as children affected by intergenerational poverty, as determined by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, for the most recent year data is available; and

(b) eligible teachers by determining whether the teacher's MGP was greater than or equal to 70:

(i) for at least one state-assessed subject taught by the teacher;

(ii) as measured by student performance on a standards assessment;

(iii) two years before the current school year; and

(iv) excluding subjects or teachers with less than 10 tested students.

(3) To receive matching funds for the program, on or before January 15, an LEA shall:

(a) apply on behalf of an eligible teacher; and

(b) provide assurances that the LEA will pay half of the:

(i) teacher salary bonus; and

(ii) employer-paid benefits described in Section 53A-17a-173.

(4)(a) On or before June 1, the Superintendent shall:

(i) ensure that a teacher who was determined eligible under Subsection (1) and (2) taught at a high poverty school for the full school year; and

(ii) distribute to an LEA that meets the criteria described in Subsection (3) half of the:

(A) teacher salary bonus; and

(B) employer-paid benefits described in Section 53A-17a-173.

(b) Consistent with Section 53A-17a-173, the Superintendent may distribute the funds on a pro rata basis if the number of eligible applicants exceeds the amount of available funds.

(5)(a) An LEA or an eligible teacher may appeal eligibility to the Superintendent on the basis that the teacher:

(i) is teaching at a high poverty school;

(ii) is an eligible teacher; or

(iii) has less than 10 tested students, but can demonstrate extenuating circumstances that merit an exception.

(b) An LEA or eligible teacher shall provide documentation to the Superintendent to assist the Superintendent in deciding on the appeal.