A. Comments will be accepted until:
12. Effective Date Information
This rule change MAY become effective on:
(NOTE: This is the date the agency anticipates making the filing effective. It is NOT the effective date)
13. Agency Authorization Information
Agency head or
designee and title:
Elisse Newey, Deputy Superintendent of Policy
R277. Education, Administration.
R277-923. American Indian and Alaska[n] Native Education State Plan Programs. R277-923-1. Authority and Purpose.
(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-5-603, which provides that the Board may make rules related to the programs; 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 provide:
(a) for implementation of the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan through locally developed LEA plans in accordance with Section 53F-5-604; [(a)](b) criteria for evaluating grant applications; and (i) a school district to apply to the Board to receive grant money; and
(ii) the review of the use of grant money.
R277-923-2. Definitions.
(1) "American Indian and Alaska[n] Native concentrated school" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 53F-5-601. (2) "Program site" means the school where an LEA plans to use grant money and implement the LEA's program.
R277-923-3. Grant Application.
(1) An LEA may apply for a grant described in Section 53F-5-603 by submitting an application to the Superintendent on or before the last Friday in May.
(2) The Superintendent shall develop a grant application and make the grant application available to LEAs that meet the eligibility as an American Indian and Alaska[n] Native concentrated school. (3) An LEA applying for a grant shall include in the application: (a) a description of how the proposed program aligns with the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan described in Section 53F-5-605; (b) identification of the specific academic needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students the program is designed to address; (c) a description of the evidence-based strategies or data supporting the proposed program; (d) a plan for measuring student outcomes and program effectiveness; (e) a description of how the LEA will coordinate with existing programs and resources identified in the state plan; and (f) a description of any consultation with tribal leaders or stakeholders in developing the proposal. R277-923-4. Procedure and Criteria for Awarding a Grant.
(1) The Superintendent shall award:
(a) one American Indian and Alaska[n] Native Education State Plan Program grant to an LEA to serve one or more program sites for the five-year program created in Subsection 53F-5-602(1); and (b) one grant to an LEA to serve one or more program sites for the four-year program created in Subsection 53F-5-602(2).
[(3)](2) The Superintendent shall award a grant described in Subsection (1) to an LEA based on the following criteria: (a) up to 20 points will be awarded based on the percentage of American Indian and Alaska[n] Native students enrolled in the program sites; (b) up to 15 points will be awarded based on the educator recruiting and retention needs of the program sites;
(c) up to 15 points will be awarded based on the strength of the LEA's program design plan, including consideration of the state plan and use of evidence-based strategies; (d) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's plan to objectively evaluate [the success of the LEA's program design plan; and]program effectiveness, including use of data and measurable outcomes informed by the state plan; and (e) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the strength of the LEA's proposed budget and how many educators the LEA plans to serve.
(f) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's plan to recruit, retain, and support highly qualified teachers consistent with the state plan; (g) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's coordination with existing programs and efficient use of available resources; and (h) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the extent of consultation with tribal leaders and stakeholders. (3) The Superintendent shall ensure that grants awarded under this rule: (a) support the purposes of the program described in Section 53F-5-602 by addressing the identified academic and educator workforce needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students; (b) reflect and consider the goals, priorities, and outcomes of the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan described in Section 53F-5-605 through the LEA's locally developed plan; and 
