UtahS.B. 992025 General SessionSenateWALLET

Excellence in Education and Leadership Supplement Amendments

Sponsored By: Lincoln Fillmore (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Charter SchoolsEducationK-12 EducationSchool PersonnelState Board of EducationLocal Education Agencies (LEAs)Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 5 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Performance awards for top classroom teachers

The five-year pilot pays eligible licensed classroom teachers annual awards: $10,000 for the top 5%, $5,000 for 6%–10%, and $2,000 for 11%–25%. Awards double at high-poverty schools, and the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind can now participate. Awards replace salary supplements and are paid in equal installments through regular pay during the related contracted school years. Education agencies must distribute funds within 45 days of receipt; funding shortages can mean proportional reductions within a performance tier. Awards are not base salary, vested benefits, or pay used to calculate retirement benefits.

More ways to assess teacher performance

The Center for the School of the Future can consider student surveys alongside parent surveys when reviewing nominated teachers. Survey use is optional. Participating education agencies can work with the Center on added growth and achievement measures for subjects with standardized tests. They can also combine measures across subjects with and without standardized test data. These measurement options are not required.

More funding to run teacher awards

Subject to legislative funding, the Center's allocation rises from 1% to up to 4.25% of program funds. The former $500,000 annual cap is removed. The State Board must create a way to pay education agencies for administration, capped at 4% of total program funds. Fixed setup and management work is paid first, followed by ongoing costs from the remaining balance. Agencies cannot reduce teacher awards to preserve administrative money.

Secure data tools for teacher awards

The State Board must consult the Center and hire a third party to obtain and host a secure online portal. Authorized education-agency and State Board users can access tracking, assessments, reports, diagnostic data, and teacher resources. Portal spending is capped at 2.5% of program funds. The State Board must share relevant student, teacher, and other program data with the Center under state and federal privacy laws. This includes needed data from nonparticipating agencies, which may be shared without identifying details.

Teacher incentives funded at high-poverty schools

The law provides a one-time $600,000 for the Effective Teachers in High Poverty Schools Incentive Program. The money comes from the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account. It covers July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. This is program funding, not a specified payment to each teacher.

Later deadlines for schools seeking teacher awards

Participating education agencies must have declared their intent by December 31, 2024. They must attend Center training and submit their award process by July 1, 2025, instead of April 1. The Center's final approval or denial deadline moves from June 30 to August 15, 2025. Approved agencies must train principals or designees and inform teachers before August 31, 2025. Principals or designees must be able to use the approved process to evaluate and select nominees.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Lincoln Fillmore
Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

Karen M. Peterson
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 150 • No: 25

House vote • 3/5/2025

House/ substituted

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/5/2025

Senate/ concurs with House amendment

Yes: 22 • No: 0

House vote • 3/5/2025

House/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 58 • No: 11

House vote • 2/21/2025

House Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 8 • No: 0

House vote • 2/21/2025

House Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/28/2025

Senate/ passed 3rd reading

Yes: 20 • No: 8

Senate vote • 1/27/2025

Senate/ passed 2nd reading

Yes: 24 • No: 5

Senate vote • 1/22/2025

Senate Comm - Substitute Recommendation

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Senate vote • 1/22/2025

Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation

Yes: 4 • No: 1

House vote • Unknown