S.B. 171

             1     

STUDENT-CENTERED LEARNING PILOT PROGRAM

             2     
2014 GENERAL SESSION

             3     
STATE OF UTAH

             4     
Chief Sponsor: Howard A. Stephenson

             5     
House Sponsor: Gregory H. Hughes

             6     
             7      LONG TITLE
             8      General Description:
             9          This bill creates the Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program.
             10      Highlighted Provisions:
             11          This bill:
             12          .    defines terms;
             13          .    specifies eligibility requirements for participating in the pilot program and
             14      additional factors that may be considered;
             15          .    requires the State Board of Education to select a consultant, through a request for
             16      proposals process, to provide consulting services to the board on the pilot program
             17      and to assist school districts and charter schools in designing and implementing
             18      educational models that meet the requirements of the Student-Centered Learning
             19      Pilot Program;
             20          .    requires the State Board of Education to establish an advisory committee that may
             21      make suggestions and recommendations regarding the selection of pilot schools;
             22          .    addresses the enrollment of students at a pilot school;
             23          .    provides that a student enrolled at a pilot school may not count as more than one
             24      pupil in average daily membership (ADM) unless the student intends to complete
             25      high school graduation requirements, and exit high school early, in accordance with
             26      the student's education/occupation plan (SEOP); and
             27          .    requires the State Board of Education and pilot schools to make an annual report to


             28      the Education Interim Committee.
             29      Money Appropriated in this Bill:
             30          This bill appropriates in fiscal year 2015:
             31          .    to the State Board of Education as an ongoing appropriation:
             32              .    from the Education Fund, $275,000.
             33      Other Special Clauses:
             34              This bill provides an effective date.
             35      Utah Code Sections Affected:
             36      AMENDS:
             37           53A-1-409 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2013, Chapter 398
             38           53A-1a-508 , as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapter 349
             39      ENACTS:
             40           53A-15-1401 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             41           53A-15-1402 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             42           53A-15-1403 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             43           53A-15-1404 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             44           53A-15-1405 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             45           53A-15-1406 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             46           53A-15-1407 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             47           53A-15-1408 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             48           53A-15-1409 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             49           53A-15-1410 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             50           53A-15-1411 , Utah Code Annotated 1953
             51     
             52      Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
             53          Section 1. Section 53A-1-409 is amended to read:
             54           53A-1-409. Competency-based education -- Recommendations -- Coordination.
             55          (1) As used in this section:
             56          (a) "Competency" means a demonstrable acquisition of a specified knowledge, skill, or
             57      ability that has been organized into a hierarchical arrangement leading to higher levels of
             58      knowledge, skill, or ability.


             59          (b) "Competency-based education" means an education approach that [requires a
             60      student to acquire a competency]:
             61          (i) allows a student to advance and earn credit upon mastery of a competency; and
             62          (ii) includes a classroom structure and operation that [aid and facilitate the acquisition
             63      of specified competencies on an individual basis wherein a student is allowed to master and
             64      demonstrate competencies as fast as the student is able] provides a student timely,
             65      differentiated support based on the student's individual learning needs.
             66          (c) "Gain score" means the measured difference of a student's score at the beginning
             67      and end of a time period that may be aggregated at the class, grade, school, and school district
             68      levels.
             69          (2) The State Board of Education shall:
             70          (a) provide expertise to and consult with local school boards, school districts, and
             71      charter schools relating to competency-based education and progress-based assessments;
             72          (b) before the beginning of the 2014 General Session of the Legislature, make
             73      recommendations to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee, including the amount
             74      and allocation of public education money, based upon both new public education money and
             75      the reallocation of money required to develop and implement:
             76          (i) competency-based education and progress-based assessments;
             77          (ii) (A) a weighted competency unit that distributes public education money based on
             78      student achievement resulting from competency-based program objectives, strategies, and
             79      standards; and
             80          (B) a course-level funding formula that distributes funds to school districts and charter
             81      schools that establish competency-based education;
             82          (iii) a plan to assist students, teachers, schools, and districts that need remediation
             83      based upon Subsections (2)(b)(i) and (ii);
             84          (iv) the reallocation of teaching resources from noncore electives into grades 1-3, 7-12
             85      math, and 7-12 English; and
             86          (v) a teacher development program focused on achieving progress in core academics,
             87      including instruction in explicit, systematic, and intensive phonics for teachers in grades
             88      kindergarten through 3;
             89          (c) assist school districts and charter schools to develop and implement:


             90          (i) competency-based education; and
             91          (ii) the use of gain scores; and
             92          (d) develop and use monetary and nonmonetary incentives, tools, and rewards to
             93      encourage school districts and charter schools to accomplish the items described under this
             94      section.
             95          (3) A funding formula described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii)(B) shall:
             96          (a) base the funding for a competency-based course on a proportionate amount of the
             97      weighted pupil unit;
             98          (b) partially distribute funds based on initial enrollment;
             99          (c) distribute remaining funds based on a student's successful completion of a course
             100      through demonstrated competency and subject mastery; and
             101          (d) not be dependent on the amount of time a student is instructed in the course or the
             102      age of the student.
             103          (4) A local school board or a charter school governing board may establish a
             104      competency-based education program.
             105          (5) A local school board or charter school governing board that establishes a
             106      competency-based education program shall:
             107          (a) establish assessments to accurately measure competency;
             108          (b) provide the assessments to an enrolled student at no cost to the student;
             109          (c) award credit to a student who demonstrates competency and subject mastery;
             110          (d) submit the competency-based curriculum standards to the State Board of Education
             111      for review; and
             112          (e) publish the competency-based curriculum standards on its website or by other
             113      electronic means readily accessible to the public.
             114          (6) A local school board or charter school governing board may:
             115          (a) on a random lottery-based basis, limit enrollment to courses that have been
             116      designated as competency-based courses;
             117          (b) waive or adapt traditional attendance requirements;
             118          (c) adjust class sizes to maximize the value of course instructors or course mentors;
             119          (d) enroll students from any geographic location within the state; and
             120          (e) provide proctored online competency-based assessments.


             121          Section 2. Section 53A-1a-508 is amended to read:
             122           53A-1a-508. Content of a charter -- Modification of charter.
             123          (1) The major issues involving the operation of a charter school shall be considered in
             124      advance by the applicant for a charter school and written into the school's charter.
             125          (2) The governing body of the charter school and the chartering entity shall sign the
             126      charter.
             127          (3) The charter shall include:
             128          (a) the age or grade levels to be served by the school;
             129          (b) the projected maximum number of students to be enrolled in the school and the
             130      projected enrollment in each of the first three years of operations;
             131          (c) the governance structure of the school;
             132          (d) the financial plan for the school and the provisions which will be made for auditing
             133      the school under Subsection 53A-1a-507 (4);
             134          (e) the mission and education goals of the school, the curriculum offered, and the
             135      methods of assessing whether students are meeting educational goals, to include at a minimum
             136      participation in the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students under Chapter 1, Part 6,
             137      Achievement Tests;
             138          (f) admission and dismissal procedures, including suspension procedures;
             139          (g) procedures to review complaints of parents regarding the operation of the school;
             140          (h) the opportunity for parental involvement at the school;
             141          (i) how the school will provide adequate liability and other appropriate insurance for
             142      the school, its governing body, and its employees;
             143          (j) the proposed school calendar, including the length of the school day and school
             144      year;
             145          (k) whether any agreements have been entered into or plans developed with school
             146      districts regarding participation of charter school students in extracurricular activities within
             147      the school districts;
             148          (l) the district within which the school will be located and the address of the school's
             149      physical facility, if known at the time the charter is signed;
             150          (m) the qualifications to be required of the teachers, including the requirement of a
             151      criminal background check;


             152          (n) in the case of an existing public school converting to charter status, alternative
             153      arrangements for current students who choose not to attend the charter school and for current
             154      teachers who choose not to teach at the school after its conversion to charter status;
             155          (o) the school's intention to create a library;
             156          (p) a description of school administrative and supervisory services;
             157          (q) fiscal procedures that are consistent with generally accepted financial management
             158      standards to be used by the school;
             159          (r) the school's policies and procedures regarding:
             160          (i) employee evaluation; and
             161          (ii) employment of relatives; and
             162          (s) an acknowledgment that neither the chartering entity nor the state, including an
             163      agency of the state, is liable for the debts or financial obligations of the charter school or
             164      persons or entities who operate the charter school.
             165          (4) [A] (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(b), a charter may be modified by
             166      mutual agreement of the chartering entity and the governing body of the school.
             167          (b) (i) Subject to Subsection (4)(c), at the request of the governing body of a charter
             168      school that is selected to participate in the Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program created in
             169      Section 53A-15-1403 , the chartering entity shall attach an addendum to the school's charter
             170      indicating the charter is modified to be consistent with the requirements of the
             171      Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program and describing those modifications.
             172          (ii) A chartering entity shall make the modifications described in Subsection (4)(b)(i)
             173      without requiring the charter school to participate in a charter amendment process.
             174          (c) (i) If an increase in a charter school's enrollment capacity is required to participate
             175      in the Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program, the charter school shall submit a request for
             176      an increase in enrollment capacity to the State Board of Education.
             177          (ii) The State Board of Education may approve an increase in enrollment capacity for
             178      the charter school subject to the availability of sufficient funds appropriated under Section
             179      53A-1a-513 .
             180          (5) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
             181      State Board of Education shall make rules that establish the procedures and deadlines for
             182      approved charter schools to apply and qualify for expansion, including the establishment of


             183      satellite campuses.
             184          Section 3. Section 53A-15-1401 is enacted to read:
             185     
Part 14. Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program

             186          53A-15-1401. Title.
             187          This part is known as the "Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program."
             188          Section 4. Section 53A-15-1402 is enacted to read:
             189          53A-15-1402. Definitions.
             190          As used in this part:
             191          (1) "Blended learning" means a formal education program in which a student learns:
             192          (a) at least in part through online delivery of content and instruction with some element
             193      of student control over time, place, path, or pace; and
             194          (b) at least in part at a supervised brick-and-mortar location away from home.
             195          (2) "Board" means the State Board of Education.
             196          (3) "Competency-based education" is as defined in Section 53A-1-409 .
             197          (4) "Data-driven instruction" means instruction in which quantifiable data is:
             198          (a) obtained by frequently assessing a student's attainment of observable and
             199      measurable goals set to determine whether the student is making academic progress, staying the
             200      same, or regressing academically; and
             201          (b) used to guide the instructor in determining:
             202          (i) the student's next step after mastering a concept; or
             203          (ii) necessary interventions or modifications to instructional methods to provide the
             204      student with a better understanding of academic concepts.
             205          (5) "Extended school year schedule" means a school calendar and schedule that operate
             206      beyond a traditional school calendar and provide year-round instruction.
             207          (6) "Extended work schedule" means a work schedule that includes additional hours of
             208      instruction time beyond a traditional school calendar to accommodate year-round instruction.
             209          (7) "Pilot program" means the Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program.
             210          (8) "Pilot school" means a school that participates in the Student-Centered Learning
             211      Pilot Program.
             212          (9) "STEM" means science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
             213          Section 5. Section 53A-15-1403 is enacted to read:


             214          53A-15-1403. Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program established.
             215          (1) The Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program is created to develop and implement
             216      educational models that:
             217          (a) deliver instruction through blended learning;
             218          (b) use an extended school year schedule;
             219          (c) use data-driven instruction; and
             220          (d) use competency-based education.
             221          (2) The State Board of Education shall:
             222          (a) select schools to participate in the pilot program based on a competitive application
             223      process;
             224          (b) make the application forms and procedures available to school districts and charter
             225      schools on or before September 1, 2014;
             226          (c) select up to 10 pilot schools and award grants as provided in Section 53A-1-1404
             227      on or before December 31, 2014; and
             228          (d) make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative
             229      Rulemaking Act, and this part, establishing procedures and requirements for submitting
             230      applications to participate in the pilot program and for selecting applicants.
             231          Section 6. Section 53A-15-1404 is enacted to read:
             232          53A-15-1404. Consulting and technical services.
             233          (1) (a) The board shall select a consultant through a request for proposals process to
             234      provide consulting services on the pilot program to the board and to assist school districts and
             235      charter schools in designing and implementing educational models that meet the requirements
             236      of Section 53A-15-1405 .
             237          (b) The board shall select a consultant as specified in Subsection (1)(a) no later than
             238      June 30, 2014.
             239          (2) A consultant selected under Subsection (1) shall:
             240          (a) offer a comprehensive suite of design and implementation services related to
             241      personalized learning that will allow a pilot school to customize its system for the delivery of
             242      online education and select the applications that best meet the needs of the school; and
             243          (b) have significant experience in:
             244          (i) implementing different types of blended learning models in elementary and


             245      secondary schools; and
             246          (ii) assessing school and school district readiness to implement blended learning.
             247          (3) Of the $275,000 appropriated to the State Board of Education in fiscal year 2015
             248      for the Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program, the board may use up to $75,000 to contract
             249      with the consultant to:
             250          (a) conduct statewide training to introduce the pilot program and assist applicants in
             251      drafting an application;
             252          (b) consult on the development of the pilot program application and application
             253      process;
             254          (c) develop criteria and guidelines for scoring and selecting applications; and
             255          (d) consult on the selection of applications based on key success factors in blended
             256      learning implementations.
             257          (4) The board shall use the remaining money appropriated for the pilot program after
             258      the contract expenses described in Subsection (3) to make grants, by January 2015, to school
             259      districts and charter schools selected to participate in the pilot program.
             260          (5) A school district or charter school awarded a grant shall use the grant money to
             261      contract with the consultant selected by the board under Subsection (1) to:
             262          (a) design and implement blended learning at a pilot school, including:
             263          (i) designing the instructional model;
             264          (ii) selecting digital content;
             265          (iii) cocreating a plan for hardware and facility readiness;
             266          (iv) providing professional development; and
             267          (v) developing professional learning communities;
             268          (b) provide support to a pilot school through the first year of operation, including:
             269          (i) ongoing professional development;
             270          (ii) access to online professional learning communities and resources;
             271          (iii) technical assistance; and
             272          (iv) assistance in modifying and improving a pilot school's educational model; and
             273          (c) develop a community of practice among pilot schools for sharing practices,
             274      collaborating, problem solving, refining, and enhancing student-centered learning models.
             275          Section 7. Section 53A-15-1405 is enacted to read:


             276          53A-15-1405. Eligibility requirements to participate in the Student-Centered
             277      Learning Pilot Program -- Additional considerations.
             278          (1) To be eligible to participate in the pilot program, a pilot school shall:
             279          (a) deliver instruction through blended learning;
             280          (b) provide instruction to students through an extended school year schedule;
             281          (c) use data-driven instruction;
             282          (d) use competency-based education;
             283          (e) integrate blended learning, data-driven instruction, and competency-based
             284      education to make individualized or personalized instruction core to the instructional model;
             285          (f) develop and implement a professional development plan that addresses the
             286      individual professional development needs of each teacher and includes training in:
             287          (i) delivering instruction within a blended learning model;
             288          (ii) using data-driven instruction;
             289          (iii) delivering differentiated instruction; and
             290          (iv) using online content and digital tools;
             291          (g) develop and implement a plan for assisting parents in engaging in their students'
             292      education, which plan complies with the following:
             293          (i) the technology tools employed by the school shall be utilized to create transparency
             294      and collaboration in the education process and enable parents to be partners in their students'
             295      education in real time; and
             296          (ii) parents shall have access through technology to real-time student data and
             297      instructional content in order to monitor and stay informed about their students' progress as
             298      they assist their students with learning;
             299          (h) be a new school, a whole school conversion, or operate as a separate program
             300      within an existing school;
             301          (i) begin operating as a pilot school no later than the 2016-17 school year; and
             302          (j) share with other school districts and leaders across the state the school's experience
             303      in implementing the pilot program, the impacts of the program, and any policy considerations.
             304          (2) In selecting applicants to participate in the pilot program, the State Board of
             305      Education shall give additional consideration to an applicant that:
             306          (a) utilizes blended learning and an extended school year to increase student


             307      enrollment, generating additional money to increase teacher compensation, thereby allowing
             308      teachers to be compensated for a full 12 months of instruction;
             309          (b) requires students to take a course of study leading to an associate's degree or a
             310      technical skills certification upon high school graduation;
             311          (c) has a STEM focused mission and curriculum;
             312          (d) encourages students to utilize BYOD "bring your own device" as part of the
             313      school's technology device policy;
             314          (e) proposes to establish the pilot program throughout a complete kindergarten through
             315      grade 12 feeder system;
             316          (f) provides an expanded benefits package to employees that includes paid vacation
             317      and holidays;
             318          (g) is a Title I school; or
             319          (h) establishes sustainable, scalable programs that can be replicated.
             320          Section 8. Section 53A-15-1406 is enacted to read:
             321          53A-15-1406. Selection of pilot program participants -- Advisory committee.
             322          (1) The State Board of Education shall establish an advisory committee to review
             323      applications to participate in the pilot program.
             324          (2) The advisory committee may offer suggestions and recommendations to the State
             325      Board of Education on the selection of applicants.
             326          (3) The advisory committee shall include representatives of stakeholders, including the
             327      following legislators who shall serve as nonvoting members:
             328          (a) the chair of the House Education Standing Committee;
             329          (b) the chair of the Senate Education Standing Committee;
             330          (c) the Senate chair of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee; and
             331          (d) the House chair of the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
             332          Section 9. Section 53A-15-1407 is enacted to read:
             333          53A-15-1407. Implementation funding.
             334          (1) In the 2015 General Session, the board shall submit recommendations to the
             335      Legislature for funding the implementation of the pilot program in the selected pilot schools,
             336      including the cost of:
             337          (a) a consultant selected by the board, who:


             338          (i) in the first year of operations, assists pilot schools in the final design and
             339      implementation of the pilot program; and
             340          (ii) in the second and third years of operations, provides continuing professional
             341      development and technical support to pilot schools and assists pilot schools in the modification
             342      and improvement of each school's educational model and in refreshing each school's digital
             343      content;
             344          (b) equipment for the delivery of instruction;
             345          (c) digital content; and
             346          (d) assessments.
             347          (2) Subject to legislative appropriations, the board may make grants to school districts
             348      and charter schools participating in the pilot program for up to three years, with the amount of a
             349      grant decreasing each year.
             350          Section 10. Section 53A-15-1408 is enacted to read:
             351          53A-15-1408. Enrollment of students in a pilot school -- Selection of pilot school
             352      teachers.
             353          (1) Section 53A-1a-506 shall govern the eligibility of students for enrollment at a
             354      charter school that is a pilot school.
             355          (2) (a) A local school board shall adopt rules governing the enrollment of students at a
             356      pilot school.
             357          (b) The rules adopted under Subsection (2)(a) shall include policies and procedures to
             358      ensure that decisions regarding enrollment requests are administered fairly without prejudice to
             359      any student or class of student, except as provided in Subsection (2)(c).
             360          (c) Policies for enrolling students in a pilot school may include:
             361          (i) giving priority to a student who:
             362          (A) resides within the attendance boundaries of a pilot school; or
             363          (B) resides within the school district in which the pilot school is located; or
             364          (ii) limiting enrollment based on the capacity of a program, class, grade level, or the
             365      pilot school.
             366          (3) A school district shall solicit applications for teaching positions for a pilot school
             367      and hire teachers from a list of interested and qualified applicants.
             368          Section 11. Section 53A-15-1409 is enacted to read:


             369          53A-15-1409. Student enrolled in a pilot school may not count as more than one
             370      ADM -- Exception.
             371          (1) The course credits of a pilot school student shall be included in the school district's
             372      or charter school's calculation of average daily membership, except as provided in Subsection
             373      (2).
             374          (2) A student enrolled in a pilot school may not count as more than one pupil in
             375      average daily membership (ADM), unless the student intends to complete high school
             376      graduation requirements early, and exit high school early, in accordance with the student's
             377      education/occupation plan (SEOP).
             378          Section 12. Section 53A-15-1410 is enacted to read:
             379          53A-15-1410. Flexibility in complying with a school district or charter school
             380      policy.
             381          A local school board or charter school governing board shall grant flexibility to a pilot
             382      school in complying with a school district or charter school policy that prohibits the pilot
             383      school from meeting the requirements of the pilot program.
             384          Section 13. Section 53A-15-1411 is enacted to read:
             385          53A-15-1411. Report to Legislature.
             386          The State Board of Education and the pilot program grantees shall make an annual
             387      report to the Legislature that:
             388          (1) compares the academic performance of students participating in the pilot program
             389      with students in other schools that have demographic characteristics that are similar to those of
             390      the pilot program students; and
             391          (2) describes the extent to which the pilot schools:
             392          (a) use online content and digital tools as integral elements of instruction and learning;
             393          (b) maximize engagement and achievement by addressing the needs of each student
             394      through personalized instruction;
             395          (c) advance students upon mastery of competencies;
             396          (d) create a culture that supports individualized learning across students, teachers,
             397      school district and charter school leadership, and parents;
             398          (e) improve system structure and policy to allow for efficiencies in teacher practice,
             399      scheduling, staffing, and use of space;


             400          (f) allocate time, resources, and places in a way that provides maximum flexibility for a
             401      student-centered learning environment;
             402          (g) provide teachers the opportunity to receive a competitive compensation based on an
             403      extended work schedule;
             404          (h) establish sustainable, scalable programs that can be replicated;
             405          (i) improve student learning outcomes;
             406          (j) better prepare students for college and the workforce; and
             407          (k) close achievement gaps.
             408          Section 14. Appropriation.
             409          Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, for
             410      the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2014, and ending June 30, 2015, the following sums of money
             411      are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated, or reduced from amounts
             412      previously appropriated, out of the funds or accounts indicated. These sums of money are in
             413      addition to any amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2015.
             414          To State Board of Education - USOE Initiatives
             415              From Education Fund
$275,000

             416              Schedule of Programs:
             417                  USOE Initiatives - Contracts and Grants        $275,000
             418          The Legislature intends that the appropriation provided in this section be used for the
             419      Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program created in Title 53A, Chapter 15, Part 14,
             420      Student-Centered Learning Pilot Program.
             421          Section 15. Effective date.
             422          (1) Except as provided in Subsection (2), this bill takes effect on May 13, 2014.
             423          (2) Uncodified Section 14, Appropriation, takes effect on July 1, 2014.




Legislative Review Note
    as of 1-29-14 3:02 PM


Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel


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