S.B. 97

1

GRANTS FOR ONLINE TESTING
2 2012 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Aaron Osmond
5 House Sponsor: Bill Wright
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill provides for grants to school districts and charter schools to implement online
10 testing systems.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 . provides for grants to school districts and charter schools to implement a uniform
14 online summative test system, an online adaptive test system, or both; and
15 . requires a grant recipient to:
16 . implement, by the 2014-15 school year, an online adaptive test system that
17 meets technology standards established by the State Board of Education and is
18 aligned with the common core; and
19 . provide matching funds to implement a uniform online summative test system,
20 an online adaptive test system, or both in an amount that is greater than or equal
21 to the grant received.
22 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
23 This bill appropriates:
24 . to the State Board of Education - Utah State Office of Education - Initiative
25 Programs, as an ongoing appropriation for fiscal year 2012-13:
26 . $5,000,000 from the Education Fund; and
27 . to the State Board of Education - Utah State Office of Education - Initiative

28 Programs, as a one-time appropriation for fiscal year 2012-13:
29 . $15,000,000 from the Education Fund.
30 Other Special Clauses:
31 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.
32 Utah Code Sections Affected:
33 AMENDS:
34 53A-1-708, as last amended by Laws of Utah 2011, Chapters 342 and 359
35
36 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
37 Section 1. Section 53A-1-708 is amended to read:
38 53A-1-708. Grants for online delivery of U-PASS tests.
39 (1) As used in this section:
40 (a) "Adaptive tests" means tests administered during the school year using an online
41 adaptive test system.
42 (b) "Common core" means a core set of English language arts and mathematics
43 standards developed by states and adopted by the State Board of Education that define the
44 knowledge and skills students should have in kindergarten through grade 12 to enable them to
45 be prepared for college or workforce training.
46 [(a)] (c) "Summative tests" means tests administered near the end of a course to assess
47 overall achievement of course goals.
48 [(b)] (d) "Uniform online summative test system" means a single system for the online
49 delivery of summative tests required under U-PASS that:
50 (i) is coordinated by the Utah State Office of Education;
51 (ii) ensures the reliability and security of U-PASS tests; and
52 (iii) is selected through collaboration between Utah State Office of Education and
53 school district representatives with expertise in technology, assessment, and administration.
54 [(c)] (e) "U-PASS" means the Utah Performance Assessment System for Students.
55 (2) The State Board of Education may award grants to school districts and charter
56 schools to implement one or both of the following:
57 (a) a uniform online summative test system to enable parents of students and school
58 staff to review U-PASS test scores by the end of the school year[.]; or

59 (b) an online adaptive test system to enable parents of students and school staff to
60 measure and monitor a student's academic progress during a school year.
61 (3) (a) Grant money may be used to pay for any of the following, provided it is directly
62 related to implementing a uniform online summative test system, an online adaptive test
63 system, or both:
64 (i) computer equipment and peripherals, including electronic data capture devices
65 designed for electronic test administration and scoring;
66 (ii) software;
67 (iii) networking equipment;
68 (iv) upgrades of existing equipment or software;
69 (v) upgrades of existing physical plant facilities;
70 (vi) personnel to provide technical support or coordination and management; and
71 (vii) teacher professional development.
72 (b) Equipment purchased in compliance with Subsection (3)(a), when not in use for the
73 online delivery of summative tests or adaptive tests required under U-PASS may be used for
74 other purposes.
75 [(4) The State Board of Education may award grants only to school districts and charter
76 schools that intend to implement a uniform online summative test system.]
77 [(5)] (4) The State Board of Education shall make rules:
78 (a) establishing procedures for applying for and awarding grants;
79 (b) specifying how grant money shall be allocated among school districts and charter
80 schools [that qualify to receive grants under Subsection (4); and];
81 (c) requiring reporting of grant money expenditures and evidence showing that the
82 grant money has been used to implement a uniform online summative test system[.], an online
83 adaptive test system, or both;
84 (d) establishing technology standards for an online adaptive testing system;
85 (e) requiring a school district or charter school that receives a grant under this section
86 to implement an online adaptive test system by the 2014-15 school year that:
87 (i) meets the technology standards established under Subsection (4)(d); and
88 (ii) is aligned with the common core; and
89 (f) requiring a school district or charter school to provide matching funds to implement

90 a uniform online summative test system, an online adaptive test system, or both in an amount
91 that is greater than or equal to the amount of a grant received under this section.
92 [(6)] (5) If a school district or charter school uses grant money for purposes other than
93 those stated in Subsection (3), the school district or charter school is liable for reimbursing the
94 State Board of Education in the amount of the grant money improperly used.
95 Section 2. Appropriation.
96 Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, the
97 following sums of money are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated out of the
98 funds or accounts indicated for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2012, and ending June 30,
99 2013. These are additions to amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2012-13.
100 To the State Board of Education - Utah State Office of Education - Initiative Programs
101 From Education Fund

$5,000,000

102 From Education Fund, One-time

$15,000,000

103 Schedule of Programs:
104 Contracts and Grants $20,000,000
105 The Legislature intends that the State Board of Education allocate the $20,000,000
106 appropriated for Contracts and Grants to award grants to school districts and charter schools to
107 implement a uniform online summative test system, an online adaptive test system, or both
108 pursuant to Section 53A-1-708 .
109 Section 3. Effective date.
110 This bill takes effect on July 1, 2012.




Legislative Review Note
as of 12-7-11 10:04 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel