DAR File No. 37926

Education, Administration

Rule R277-492

Utah Science Technology and Research Initiative (USTAR) Centers Program

Notice of Proposed Rule

(Amendment)

DAR File No.: 37926
Filed: 08/14/2013 10:31:47 AM

RULE ANALYSIS

Purpose of the rule or reason for the change:

Minor amendments were made to the rule to change the program requirement dates.

Summary of the rule or change:

Replaces specific dates with annual dates for an ongoing program.

State statutory or constitutional authorization for this rule:

• Subsection 53A-1-401(3)

Anticipated cost or savings to:

the state budget:

There is no anticipated costs or savings to the state budget. Specific dates are replaced with annual dates.

local governments:

There is no anticipated costs or savings to local government. Specific dates are replaced with annual dates.

small businesses:

There is no anticipated cost or savings to small businesses. This rule and the amendments to the rule apply to public education and do not affect businesses.

persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local governmental entities:

There is no anticipated costs or savings to persons other than small businesses, businesses, or local government entities. Specific dates are replaced with annual dates.

Compliance costs for affected persons:

There are no compliance costs for affected persons. Outdated language regarding program dates is changed.

Comments by the department head on the fiscal impact the rule may have on businesses:

I have reviewed this rule and I see no fiscal impact on businesses.

Martell Menlove, State Superintendent

The full text of this rule may be inspected, during regular business hours, at the Division of Administrative Rules, or at:

Education
Administration
250 E 500 S
SALT LAKE CITY, UT 84111-3272

Direct questions regarding this rule to:

• Carol Lear at the above address, by phone at 801-538-7835, by FAX at 801-538-7768, or by Internet E-mail at carol.lear@schools.utah.gov

Interested persons may present their views on this rule by submitting written comments to the address above no later than 5:00 p.m. on:

10/01/2013

This rule may become effective on:

10/08/2013

Authorized by:

Carol Lear, Director, School Law and Legislation

R277. Education, Administration.

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

R277-492-1. Definitions.

A. "Annual report" means information and data identified under R277-492 provided by funding recipients to the USOE annually by June 30 as a requirement for continued funding of the school or school district program.

B. "Board" means the Utah State Board of Education.

C. "Extended year" means either a longer contract day or a longer contract year for participating teachers.

D. "Mathematics or science teacher" means a teacher with a secondary (7-12) mathematics or science teaching assignment.

E. "School district/charter school 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.

F. "STEM" means science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

G. "USOE" means the Utah State Office of Education.

H. "USTAR" means Utah Science Technology and Research.

I. "USTAR Program" means student and teacher opportunities to broaden their knowledge and experiences within STEM fields.

J. "Weighted Pupil Unit (WPU)" means the basic state funding unit.

 

R277-492-2. Authority and Purpose.

A. This rule is authorized by Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board, Section 53A-1-401(3) which permits the Board to adopt rules in accordance with its responsibilities, and Section 53A-17a-159 which appropriates funding to establish extended contracts for mathematics and science teachers as part of the Utah Science Technology and Research (USTAR) Centers Initiative. The USOE shall provide statewide supervision of the program and budget and shall recommend funding for USTAR programs based on USTAR objectives, Board funding priorities and available funds.

B. This rule establishes standards and procedures to direct recipient public school districts or charter schools to develop proposals that create USTAR Centers that will enhance their ability to retain mathematics and science teachers while simultaneously offering more opportunities for students and more effectively using capital facilities.

 

R277-492-3. USTAR Proposal Criteria.

A. A school district/charter school shall first identify the purpose or goal(s) of its USTAR proposal.

B. Appropriate purposes may include:

(1) improvement in student test scores;

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

(3) increased retention of licensed educators in specific areas;

(4) improved school climate;

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

(6) increased student enrollment in identified courses;

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

(8) other purposes consistent with Section 53A-17a-159(1)(b).

C. A school district/charter school shall provide a school schedule showing how it will extend hours of the school day (Section 53A-17a-159(1)(b)(ii)) or days of the school year (Section 53A-17-a-159(1)(b)(ii)) to maximize employee and facility resources in furtherance of the proposal's goals.

D. The USTAR proposal shall explain how employees shall be used in the extended school day or expanded 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. Though various school employee groups may be necessary or desirable to achieve the purposes of the proposal, the proposal shall use USTAR grant funds only to pay for hours or days worked by science or mathematics teachers with valid, current Utah educator licenses.

E. The USTAR proposal shall identify the number of designated employees that will participate in the expanded year or extended day program with the understanding that USTAR grant funds may only be used for licensed mathematics and science teachers.

F. The USTAR proposal shall identify the compensation that all necessary employees shall receive, including increased insurance and benefit costs, if appropriate; compensation may be determined by groups of employees or by individual employees.

G. The USTAR proposal shall identify how licensed educators will be evaluated for the extended hours or expanded days worked.

H. The USTAR proposal shall include a budget section, including anticipated costs and narrative.

I. The USTAR proposal shall include an evaluation component that provides opportunities for student, employee and parent participation in the assessment of the proposal's effectiveness. Proposals shall provide for evaluations of program effectiveness at least annually[, beginning in July, 2009].

 

R277-492-4. Board/USOE Responsibilities.

A. The USOE shall carry out the responsibilities of the Board consistent with the Board's review and direction.

B. The USOE shall solicit proposals from school districts/charter schools to participate in the USTAR grant program.

C. Proposals shall be due to the USOE by June 2[, 2008] annually.

(1) The USOE will work with applicants that submit proposals early to improve proposals to the extent of resources and time available.

(2) The USOE shall deliver final charter school proposals to the State Charter School Board for Review and recommendation.

D. The USOE shall receive a consolidated request from the State Charter School Board consistent with Section 53A-17a-159(4) by June 20[, 2008]annually. 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.

E. The USOE shall receive all proposals from school districts, considering 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 USOE.

F. The Board may appoint an expert review panel to prioritize proposals and recommend proposals for funding.

G. The expert review panel or the USOE or both shall consider the priorities of Section 53A-17a-159(5) in recommending and selecting the recipients:

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

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

(3) funded proposals should address the objectives and benefits of Section 53A-17a-159(1)(b).

H. The Board shall review recommendations, make final decisions for funding and notify applicants that receive funding no later than July 31[, 2008]annually.

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

 

R277-492-5. School District/Charter School Consolidated Proposal Responsibilities.

A. School districts shall submit proposals that meet the standards of R277-717-3 and Section 53A-17a-159 no later than June 2[, 2008]annually.

B. The State Charter Board shall complete its work under Section 53A-17a-159(4) and submit its consolidated request to the USOE no later than June 20[, 2008] annually.

C. School district and charter school proposals shall clearly demonstrate that all participants necessary for the success of a proposal are voluntary participants and understand the requirements of their participation.

D. School district and charter school participants shall demonstrate parent and community notification and support of the school district/charter school proposals.

E. Proposals shall clearly demonstrate that at least 95 percent of allocated funds shall be used for extended licensed mathematics and science teacher contracts.

F. Proposals shall clearly demonstrate that the remaining five percent of allocated funds is used only for purposes identified under Section 53A-17a-159(6)(b).

G. Funded school districts and charter schools shall provide all required evaluations to the USOE as identified by their proposals consistent with USOE timelines.

H. Funded school districts and charter schools shall provide information as requested by the USOE during the time periods identified in the proposals, including allowing for visits of USOE staff and review of student work or assessments.

 

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

A. The Board's decisions for funding are final.

B. The USOE 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 inconsistently with the school district/charter school proposal or the intent of the law or this rule.

C. 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.

D. The Board shall provide annual reports to Legislative committees as required by Section 53A-17a-159(8)

 

KEY: science, technology, research, USTAR

Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: [August 7, 2008]2013

Notice of Continuation: August 2, 2013

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53A-1-401(3); 53A-17a-159