Compendium of Budget Information for the 2009 General Session
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Agency: State Board of Education Function Prior to the 2006 General Session the Science Outreach program was part of a combined education outreach program with the fine arts. The Legislature bifurcated the fine arts and sciences into two programs to allow for cleaner oversight of revenues supporting education outreach by service category and the ability to direct funding in order to meet specific programmatic objectives. Each program follows the same general operating principles and guidelines. Science outreach programs began with the inclusion of the Clark Planetarium (formerly Hansen Planetarium) in the Fine Arts and Sciences Outreach Program in the mid 1970s. Utah's non-profit professional science organizations provide their expertise and resources in the teaching of the state's science curriculum. Organizations support and enhance the state curriculum by providing educational services such as, demonstrations, presentations, teacher professional development, and activities in the public schools. Each organization is required to provide private matching funds to support their education outreach program. These matching funds are in addition to the state-funds received through the program. Similar to the Fine Arts Outreach Program, free participation of students is one of the central tenets of the program. Program participants collaborate with the State Office of Education and the school community in planning the content of art education in the schools. The participants extend professional presentations to students in the schools and at professional venues. The program ensures that each of the 40 school districts receive services in a balanced and comprehensive manner over a three year period. The Science Outreach Program contains three operating-programs that collectively provide educational opportunities in the public schools. These programs include the Informal Science Education Enhancement (iSEE), Science Request for Proposals, and the Science Enhancement Program. Statutory Authority Utah Code does not specifically establish the Science Outreach program. Various actions taken by the Legislature, namely, bills, intent language and budget appropriations have continued the program over time. Statute enables the State Board of Education to establish minimum requirements for the public schools as well as the science core curriculum. The following statutes direct the creation of these standards.
Funding Detail The Science Outreach program is entirely funded with Uniform School Funds. Appropriated revenues pass through the Utah State Office of Education to the participating non-profit organizations
Program: Informal Science Education Enhancement Function iSEE is the largest of the three programs and has five participating organizations. Emulating the Fine Arts Outreach - POPS Program, participants have fully developed outreach programs and have built the capacity to deliver these programs state-wide. Due to the state-wide delivery mandate of program participants, these organizations receive an ongoing allocation of state funding to provide a stable funding base. The program is reviewed every four years to evaluate each organization's funding level and participation in the program. Participating professional organizations include: Clark Planetarium, Discovery Gateway, Living Planet Aquarium, Utah Museum of Natural History, Red Butte Garden, and the Utah Science Center. Funding Detail
Program: Requests for Proposals Function The RFP program enables smaller, more regional, professional organizations to participate in science education delivery. These programs participate in the RFP to develop educational programs geared to the state core curriculum, expand to provide statewide outreach, and once established receive ongoing funding by becoming a service provider in the iSEE program. RFP organizations may apply to move to the iSEE program once they have successfully participated in the program for three years and demonstrated that they have a proven quality of service, fiscal responsibility and a core curriculum-based focus in their school program. The USOE has established guidelines for RFP organizations to transition to the iSEE program. These regulations and eligibility requirements are the same for Art or Science providers. Funding Detail
Function During the 2006 General Session, the Legislature created the Science Enhancement program. The program provides additional resources to iSEE outreach organizations to expand their programs in order to reach more students and teachers. Organizations are required to apply for funding and demonstrate the additive nature (in terms of more students/teachers served or program quality) of their proposal. Funding Detail The Science Outreach program is entirely funded with Uniform School Funds. Appropriated revenues pass through the Utah State Office of Education to the participating non-profit organizations.
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