R277. Education, Administration.
R277-326. Early Learning Professional Learning Grant Program.
R277-326-1. 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;
(b) Section 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;
(c) Section 53F-5-214, which directs the Board to make rules regarding the required elements of the Early Learning Professional Learning Grant and a formula to determine an LEA's grant amount.
(2) The purpose of this rule is to provide:
(a) the required elements for the Early Learning Professional Learning Grant program including eligibility criteria; and
(b) a formula for the grant distribution.
R277-326-2. Definitions.
(1) "Evidence-based" means the same as the term is defined in Subsection R277-406-2(3).
(2) "Focused" means professional learning that is targeted to strategies that align with an LEA's plan and goals that would best support improving outcomes.
(3) "Job-embedded" means learning that is during the workday and designed to enhance instructional practices with the intent of improving student learning outcomes.
(4) "Professional learning" means the same as the term is defined in Subsection 53G-11-303(1).
(5) "Sustained" means multiple professional learning sessions with ongoing support for implementation of professional learning for long-term change.
R277-326-3. Eligibility and Application.
(1) All LEAs are eligible to apply for the Early Learning Professional Learning Grant.
(2) To receive grant funds, an LEA shall submit an application as part of the LEAs Early Learning Plan as described in Section R277-406-4.
(3) An LEA shall include in the application to the Superintendent the LEA's plan:
(a) for the types of professional learning opportunities, the LEA plans to utilize including:
(i) comprehensive professional learning opportunities as described in Section 53G-11-303(2); and
(ii) job-embedded coaching.
(b) how the LEA intends to connect professional learning to the LEA's Early Learning Plan goals; and
(c) how the LEA intends to increase benchmark assessment scores and related outcomes through professional learning opportunities.
(4) An LEA shall only use sustained professional learning opportunities that are evidence-based and focused.
R277-326-4. Distribution and Use of Funds.
(1) Subject to legislative appropriations, the Superintendent shall distribute the Early Learning Professional Learning Grant funds as follows:
(a) a per teacher allotment shall be calculated by dividing the total amount of grant funds by the total number of preschool through grade 3 teachers of all applicants;
(b) an LEA shall receive a grant amount equal to the product of the per teacher allotment described in Subsection (a) and the total number of preschool through grade 3 teachers in the LEA; and
(c) if an LEA's Early Learning Plan is denied or an LEA chooses to forego any grant funds, the grant funds may be reallocated to all other eligible LEAs receiving grant funds as described in Subsections (1)(a) and (b).
(2) For purposes of calculating a grant amount in Subsection (1), an LEA shall determine the LEA's total number of preschool through grade 3 teachers by using employee data from the previous school year of the application school year.
(3) An LEA may use the grant funds for the following purposes:
(a) teacher stipends to attend trainings;
(b) presenter fees;
(c) coaching supports;
(d) substitute teachers;
(e) to hire a coach or specialist; and
(f) supplies and materials for teacher professional learning.
(4) An LEA may not use grant funds for:
(a) the purchase of:
(i) property;
(ii) equipment;
(iii) other services; or
(iv) student materials and supplies; or
(b) travel related expenses.
(5) An LEA shall use the grant funds by the end of the fiscal year in which the funds are received.
KEY: professional learning; prek-3, early learning, teacher development
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: January 5, 2021
Authorizing, and Implemented, or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53F-5-214
