53E-5-305. State board to identify continuous improvement experts -- Review and approval of school improvement plans -- Appeals process.
(1) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, and every three years thereafter, the state board shall identify two or more approved continuous improvement experts, through a standard procurement process, that a springboard school or elevate school may contract with to: respond to the needs assessment conducted under Section; and 53E-5-302 provide the services described in Sectionor, as applicable. 53E-5-303 53E-5-304
(2) In identifying continuous improvement experts under Subsection, the state board shall identify experts that: (1) have a credible track record of improving student academic achievement in public schools with various demographic characteristics, as measured by statewide assessments described in Section; 53E-4-301 have experience designing, implementing, and evaluating data-driven instructional systems in public schools; have experience coaching public school administrators and teachers on designing data-driven school improvement plans; have experience working with the various education entities that govern public schools; have experience coordinating the services provided to participating schools by other experts or providers; have experience delivering high-quality professional development in instructional effectiveness to public school administrators and teachers; and are willing to partner with any springboard school or elevate school in the state, regardless of location.
(3) The state board shall: review a proposal submitted for approval under Sectionorno later than 30 days after the day on which the proposal is submitted; 53E-5-303 53E-5-304 review a school improvement plan submitted for approval under Subsectionor under Subsectionwithin 30 days of submission; and 53E-5-303(7)(b) 53E-5-304(9)(b) approve a school improvement plan that: is timely; is well-developed; and meets the criteria described in Subsection. 53E-5-303(5) The state board may not approve a school improvement plan that is not aligned with the needs assessment conducted under Section. 53E-5-302
(4) Subject to legislative appropriations, when a school improvement plan is approved by the state board, the state board shall distribute funds to each LEA governing board with a springboard school or elevate school to carry out the provisions of Sectionsand. 53E-5-303 53E-5-304 In accordance with, the state board shall make rules establishing a distribution method and allowable uses of the funds described in Subsection. Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act (4)(a)
(5) The state board shall: monitor and assess progress toward the goals, benchmarks and timetable in each school improvement plan; and act as a liaison between a local school board, springboard school or elevate school, and continuous improvement expert.
(6) In accordance with, the state board shall make rules to establish an appeals process for: Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act a springboard district school or elevate district school that is not granted approval from the district school's local school board under Subsection; 53E-5-303(7)(b) a springboard charter school or elevate charter school that is not granted approval from the charter school's charter school governing board under Subsection; and 53E-5-304(9)(b) a local school board or charter school governing board that is not granted approval from the state board under Subsectionor. (3)(a) (b) The state board shall ensure that rules made under Subsectionrequire an appeals process described in: (6)(a) Subsectionsandto be resolved on or before July 1 of the initial remedial year; and (6)(a)(i) (ii) Subsectionto be resolved on or before August 15 of the initial remedial year. (6)(a)(iii)
(7) Except as provided in Subsection, if the amount is approved by the state board in an open meeting, the state board may use a portion of the funds appropriated by the Legislature to carry out the provisions of this part for: (8) administration; or other school improvement supports for all public schools, including for data resources.
(8) For the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 school years, if the state board approves the use in an open meeting, the state board may use funds the Legislature appropriated in prior years to carry out the provisions of this part: for administration; up to $1,000,000 to contract with a provider, through a request for proposals process, to pilot complementary approaches to school improvement that draw on community resources and engagement; and to analyze the effectiveness of supports provided: under this part; and by other school improvement programs.