R277. Education, Administration.
R277-492. Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers (MOST) Program.
R277-492-1. Authority and Purpose.
(1) This rule is authorized by:
(a) Utah Constitution, Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision of public education in the Board;
(b) Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which permits the Board to adopt rules to carry out its duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and
(c) Section 53F-2-505, which provides for funding to establish extended contracts for participating educators as part of the Math and Science Opportunities for Students and Teachers (MOST) program.
(2) The purpose of this rule is to establish:
(a) conditions for the Superintendent to manage the MOST program;
(b) standards and procedures for an LEA to submit a proposal for MOST funding to develop and create MOST programs to enhance the LEA's ability to retain participating educators, offer more opportunities for students, and use capital facilities more effectively; and
(c) requirements associated with receiving MOST funding for a recipient LEA.
R277-492-2. Definitions.
(1) "LEA MOST proposal" means a written proposal, including components required by the Board, developed and submitted by an LEA applying for MOST funding.
(2) "MOST Program" means the grant program created in Section 53F-2-505.
(3) "Participating educator" means an educator who is qualified to teach mathematics or science in grades 7-12.
(4) "Regional Education Service Agency" or "RESA" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53G-4-410.
(5) "RESA MOST Proposal" means a written proposal, including components required by the Board, developed and submitted by a RESA applying for MOST base funds.
R277-492-3. MOST Proposal Criteria.
(1) An LEA MOST proposal shall include:
(a) a description of the programming the LEA intends to use MOST funds for;
(b) a description of the challenges the LEA's proposed programming is intended to solve;
(c) the intended benefits of the proposed MOST program, which shall align with the benefits described in Subsection 53F-2-505(2)(b);
(d) an evaluation methodology for determining the efficacy of the program in meeting the intended benefits;
(e) a signed statement of assurances, expressing the LEA's intent to adhere to MOST program statutory requirements; and
(f) additional information as requested by the Superintendent.
(2) During each grant cycle, the Superintendent shall allocate a base amount of funds to participating RESAs to achieve their proposed benefits on a regional scale.
(3) A RESA MOST proposal shall include:
(a) a description of the programming the RESA intends to use MOST funds for;
(b) a description of the challenges the RESA's proposed programming is intended to solve;
(c) the intended benefits of the proposed MOST program, which shall align with the benefits described in Subsection 53F-2-505(2)(b);
(d) an evaluation methodology for determining the efficacy of the program in meeting the intended benefits;
(e) a signed statement of assurances, expressing the RESA's intent to adhere to MOST program statutory requirements; and
(f) additional information as requested by the Superintendent.
R277-492-4. Superintendent Responsibilities.
(1) Subject to legislative appropriations, the Superintendent shall provide statewide supervision of the MOST program and budget, based on MOST intended benefits, and Board funding priorities.
(2) The Superintendent shall solicit proposals from LEAs and RESAs to participate in the MOST grant program.
(3)(a) In order to qualify for funding, an LEA or RESA shall submit a proposal to the Superintendent consistent with timelines established by the Superintendent.
(b) The Superintendent shall work with applicants that submit proposals early to improve proposals, to the extent of resource and time availability.
(4) The Superintendent shall receive all MOST proposals and rank them on an objective scale or rubric prepared by the Superintendent.
(5) The Superintendent may appoint a review panel, including representatives from Board staff and LEAs, to prioritize proposals and recommend proposals for funding.
(6) The review panel, the Superintendent, or both, shall consider the the unique circumstances of different rural, urban, large, small, growing and declining LEAs in recommending funding recipients.
(7) The Superintendent shall review recommendations, make final recommendations to the Board for funding, and notify applicants that they will receive funding no later than July 31 annually.
(8) The Superintendent shall provide funds to LEAs and RESAs consistent with Board distribution practices for grants.
R277-492-5. Final Decision-making and Reporting Requirements.
(1) The Board's decisions for MOST program funding are final.
(2)(a) A grant recipient shall provide requested data or information related to its MOST programming to the Superintendent each year by June 30.
(b) The Superintendent may request additional information if annual reports or student assessments indicate that MOST funding is being used ineffectively, for ineligible employees, or inconsistent with the proposal or the intent of the law or this rule.
(3) The Superintendent may interrupt MOST funding to LEAs or RESAs that do not meet the timelines or do not provide complete information or evaluations required under this rule.
KEY: science, technology, research, MOST
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment: November 9, 2020
Notice of Continuation: July 13, 2018
