FY 2016 Appropriation

The Quality Teaching Block Grant is used to "implement long term professional development plans in both schools and districts; the plans must be approved by the local school board, and each individual school plan must be consistent with the district plan" (USOE Finance & Statistics, MSP Descriptions, November 2006). The program was established during the 2003 General Session to provide school districts with maximum flexibility in the use of their funding as appropriated by the State Legislature.

The Legislature created the block grant by combining the Career Ladder Program with a $10 million increase to provide for two additional professional development work-days. The Career Ladder Program was a categorical program within the MSP. Subsequent action by the Legislature removed $5 million from the block grant (or one extra professional development day).

In FY 2008, the Legislature provided an additional $6.6 million in addition to funding approriated for inflation and student growth. The additional $6.6 million was appropriated to provide for additional professional development time for educators.

Formula -- School districts and charter schools receive Quality Teaching Block Grant funds on a formula basis proportional to their prior year Regular Basic WPU allocation and prior year licensed FTE level. Charter schools are treated as one school district. The distribution formula distributes 70 percent of program funds based on prior year WPUs and 30 percent based on prior year licensed FTE levels.

Formula Restrictions -- Program funds cannot be used to hire additional staff, to maintain current staffing levels, or to cover administrative costs.

Funding History
Appropriation Overview

During the 2015 General Session, the Legislature appropriated for Fiscal Year 2016, $0 from all sources for Quality Teaching Block Grant. This is a 0 percent change from Fiscal Year 2015 revised estimated amounts from all sources.

Statute

The following statute governs the state contribution to the Quality Teaching Block Grant Program.

  • UCA 53A-17a-124 -- requires the State Board of Education to develop a distribution formula that allocates revenue in a fair and equitable manner. Further the statute requires local school boards to use block grant funds to implement school and district comprehensive, long-term professional development plans.

Administrative Rule R277-478 was passed by the State Board of Education. The rule provides administrative procedures associated with the governance of the Quality Teaching Block Grant Program.

Intent Language

HB0002: Item 2

The Legislature intends that the State Board of Education review the Pupil Transportation Allocation Formula and recommend ways to improve the formula to increase efficiency, simplify allocation methodology to school districts, and provide incentives for alternative transportation methods. The Legislature further intends that the State Board of Education report its recommendations to the Education Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee by October 31, 2015.

HB0002: Item 2

The Legislature intends that the State Board of Education and State Board of Regents provide joint recommendations on how to ensure that each concurrent enrollment course is taught by a qualified instructor, that credits earned by students count towards major and minor degree requirements at state colleges and universities, and that students are advised on the transferability of credits to private and out of state institutions. The Legislature also intends that these recommendations be reported to the Education Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Committee by October 31, 2015.

During the 2009 General Session, the Legislature eliminated funding for the Quality Teaching Block Grant to help balance the state's budget. Prior to elimination, appropriations to the block grant totaled $77,615,641.

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COBI contains unaudited data as presented to the Legislature by state agencies at the time of publication. For audited financial data see the State of Utah's Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports.