R277. Education, Administration.
R277-473. Utah Computer Science Grant.
R277-473-1. 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) 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; and
(c) Subsection 63N-12-506(5) which allows the Board, in consultation with the Talent Ready Utah Board, to make rules outlining a grant recipient's reporting requirements; and
(d) Subsection 63N-12-506(7) which allows the Board to make rules outlining additional requirements for a grant recipient to include in the grant recipient's computer science grant plan.
(2) The purpose of this rule is to outline:
(a) the reporting requirements for a grant recipient; and
(b) the additional criteria required for a grant recipient to include in the grant recipient's computer science grant plan.
R277-473-2. Definitions.
(1) "Computer science advisory committee" or "advisory committee" means the computer science advisory committee established in Section R277-473-5.
(2) "Talent Ready Board" means the same as the term is defined in Subsection 63N-12-503.
R277-473-3. Incorporation of Utah's Master Plan.
(1) This rule incorporates by reference the Utah Master Plan, August 2019, which
(2) A copy of the Utah Master Plan is located at:
(a) https://www.schools.utah.gov/cte?mid=3363&tid=5; and
(b) the Utah State Board of Education - 250 East 500 South, Salt Lake City, Utah 30 84111.
R277-473-4. LEA Planning Grants.
(1) An LEA may apply for a planning grant in preparation for a full LEA plan and receiving a Computer Science Initiative Grant as described in this rule.
(2) A planning grant awarded under Subsection (1) shall be in the amount determined by student enrollment within the USBE state tier system up to $30,000.
(3) In order to qualify for a planning grant, an LEA shall:
(a) send an LEA representative to a pre-grant submission training conducted by the Superintendent; and
(b) complete a readiness assessment created by the Superintendent that provides an analysis for existing K-12 computer infrastructure in preparation for a grant.
(4)(a) If an LEA receives a planning grant, the LEA shall submit an LEA plan as set forth in Section R277-473-7 and 8 within two years of grant approval.
(b) An LEA that fails to submit an LEA plan within two years of grant approval shall reimburse funds awarded under Subsection (2).
R277-473-5. Computer Science Advisory Committee Duties.
(1) The Superintendent shall create a computer science advisory committee.
(2) The advisory committee shall include the following members as non-voting chairs:
(a) the Superintendent; and
(b) the Executive Director of the Governor's Office of Economic Development or designee.
(3) In addition to the chairs described in Subsection (1), the Board, in consultation with the Talent Ready Utah Board, shall appoint five members to the advisory committee as follows:
(a) an industry representative;
(b) one member who represents a school district with expertise in digital teaching and learning;
(c) one member who represents a charter school with expertise in digital teaching and learning;
(d) a member of higher education; and
(e) a non-profit national computer science organization representative.
(3) The advisory committee shall:
(a) oversee review of an LEA plan to determine whether the LEA plan meets the criteria described in Subsection 63N-12-506(7);
(b) make a recommendation to the Superintendent and the Board on whether the Board should approve or deny an LEA plan;
(c) make recommendations to an LEA on how the LEA may improve the LEA's plan; and
(d) perform other duties as directed by:
(i) the Board; or
(ii) the Superintendent.
(4) The advisory committee may select additional LEA plan reviewers to assist the advisory committee with the work described in Subsection (3).
(5) The advisory committee, or the Superintendent on behalf of the advisory committee, shall present the advisory committee's recommendations on whether to approve or deny each LEA plan to the Board for the Board's approval.
R277-473-6. Board Approval or Denial of an LEA's Plan.
(1) The Board shall approve or deny each LEA plan submitted by the advisory committee.
(2) If the Board denies an LEA's plan, the LEA may amend and re-submit the LEA's plan to the advisory committee until the Board approves the LEA plan.
(3) The Board shall submit an approved LEA plan to the Talent Ready Utah Board for final approval as described in Subsection 63N-12-506(4).
