1     
HIGH QUALITY SCHOOL READINESS PROGRAM EXPANSION

2     
2016 GENERAL SESSION

3     
STATE OF UTAH

4     
Chief Sponsor: Ann Millner

5     
House Sponsor: Bradley G. Last

6     

7     LONG TITLE
8     General Description:
9          This bill expands access to high quality school readiness programs for eligible students.
10     Highlighted Provisions:
11          This bill:
12          ▸     defines terms;
13          ▸     requires the Department of Workforce Services to determine eligibility for an
14     Intergenerational Poverty Scholarship;
15          ▸     creates the Student Access to High Quality School Readiness Programs Grant
16     Program to expand access to high quality school readiness programs for eligible
17     students;
18          ▸     provides for the State Board of Education to administer a home-based technology
19     school readiness program for eligible students;
20          ▸     creates the Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Program;
21          ▸     establishes early childhood education training;
22          ▸     requires the State Board of Education to contract with an independent evaluator to
23     conduct an ongoing evaluation of the effectiveness of high quality school readiness
24     programs; and
25          ▸     makes technical and conforming changes.
26     Money Appropriated in this Bill:
27          This bill appropriates:
28          ▸     to the State Board of Education - State Office of Education - Teaching and
29     Learning, as an ongoing appropriation:

30               •     from the Education Fund, $120,000;
31          ▸     to the State Board of Education - State Office of Education - Teaching and
32     Learning, as a one-time appropriation:
33               •     from Revenue Transfer - Temporary Assistance for Needy Families,
34     $9,000,000;
35          ▸     to the Department of Workforce Services - Office of Child Care, as an ongoing
36     appropriation:
37               •     from the General Fund, $75,000; and
38          ▸     to the Department of Workforce Services - Office of Child Care, as a one-time
39     appropriation:
40               •     from the General Fund, $500,000; and
41               •     from Federal Funds, $2,000,000.
42     Other Special Clauses:
43          None
44     Utah Code Sections Affected:
45     AMENDS:
46          53A-1b-105, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2014, Chapter 304
47     ENACTS:
48          35A-9-401, Utah Code Annotated 1953
49          53A-1b-201, Utah Code Annotated 1953
50          53A-1b-202, Utah Code Annotated 1953
51          53A-1b-203, Utah Code Annotated 1953
52          53A-1b-204, Utah Code Annotated 1953
53          53A-1b-205, Utah Code Annotated 1953
54          53A-1b-206, Utah Code Annotated 1953
55          53A-1b-207, Utah Code Annotated 1953
56          53A-1b-208, Utah Code Annotated 1953
57     


58     Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
59          Section 1. Section 35A-9-401 is enacted to read:
60     
Part 4. Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Eligibility

61          35A-9-401. Eligibility determination -- Awarding of scholarship.
62          (1) As used in this section:
63          (a) "Eligible child" means an individual who:
64          (i) is experiencing intergenerational poverty;
65          (ii) will be four years of age on or before September 2 of the school year in which the
66     individual intends to enroll in a school readiness program; and
67          (iii) has not enrolled in kindergarten, as reported by the individual's parent or legal
68     guardian.
69          (b) "Intergenerational poverty" means the same as that term is defined in Section
70     35A-9-102.
71          (c) "Intergenerational poverty scholarship" or "IGP scholarship" means the same as that
72     term is defined in Section 53A-1b-202.
73          (2) The department shall determine if an applicant for an IGP scholarship is eligible for
74     the Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Program, created in Section
75     53A-1b-206.
76          (3) An individual may apply to the department annually to qualify for a scholarship for
77     an eligible child to attend a high quality school readiness program.
78          (4) (a) The department shall create an application form that requires an applicant to
79     provide the information necessary for the department to make the eligibility determination
80     described in Subsection (5).
81          (b) The department may:
82          (i) require an applicant to submit supporting documentation; and
83          (ii) create a deadline for an applicant to apply for an IGP scholarship.
84          (5) The department shall determine if:
85          (a) the information contained in an application submitted under Subsection (3) is

86     accurate and complete; and
87          (b) the child for whom the applicant is applying for an IGP scholarship is an eligible
88     child.
89          (6) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (6)(b), and subject to legislative
90     appropriations, the department shall:
91          (i) award an IGP scholarship for an individual who is determined to be an eligible child
92     under Subsection (5); and
93          (ii) with input from the State Board of Education, determine the value of an IGP
94     scholarship.
95          (b) If the department receives an appropriation for IGP scholarships that is not
96     sufficient to award a scholarship to each eligible child, the department shall prioritize awarding
97     IGP scholarships to eligible children who are at the highest risk as determined by the
98     department.
99          (7) The department shall coordinate with the State Board of Education, as necessary, to
100     enroll a recipient of an IGP scholarship in a high quality school readiness program of the
101     recipient's parent's choice, space permitting, as described in Section 53A-1b-206.
102          (8) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
103     department shall make rules to administer this section.
104          Section 2. Section 53A-1b-105 is amended to read:
105          53A-1b-105. Elements of a high quality school readiness program.
106          (1) A high quality school readiness program run by an eligible LEA or eligible private
107     provider shall include the following components:
108          (a) an evidence-based curriculum that is aligned with all of the developmental domains
109     and academic content areas defined in the Utah Early Childhood Standards adopted by the
110     State Board of Education, and incorporates intentional and differentiated instruction in whole
111     group, small group, and child-directed learning, including the following academic content
112     areas:
113          (i) oral language and listening comprehension;

114          (ii) phonological awareness and prereading;
115          (iii) alphabet and word knowledge;
116          (iv) prewriting;
117          (v) book knowledge and print awareness;
118          (vi) numeracy;
119          (vii) creative arts;
120          (viii) science and technology; and
121          (ix) social studies, health, and safety;
122          (b) ongoing, focused, and intensive professional development for staff of the school
123     readiness program;
124          (c) ongoing assessment of a student's educational growth and developmental progress
125     to inform instruction;
126          (d) a pre- and post-assessment[,] of each student whose parent or legal guardian
127     consents to the assessment that, for a school readiness program receiving funding under this
128     part, is selected by the board in accordance with Section 53A-1b-110[, of each student];
129          (e) for a preschool program run by an eligible LEA, a class size that does not exceed 20
130     students, with one adult for every 10 students in the class;
131          (f) ongoing program evaluation and data collection to monitor program goal
132     achievement and implementation of required program components;
133          (g) family engagement, including ongoing communication between home and school,
134     and parent education opportunities based on each family's circumstances;
135          (h) for a preschool program run by an eligible LEA, each teacher having at least
136     obtained:
137          (i) the minimum standard of a child development associate certification; or
138          (ii) an associate or bachelor's degree in an early childhood education related field; and
139          (i) for a preschool program run by an eligible private provider, by a teacher's second
140     year, each teacher having at least obtained:
141          (i) the minimum standard of a child development associate certification; or

142          (ii) an associate or bachelor's degree in an early childhood education related field.
143          (2) A high quality school readiness program run by a home-based educational
144     technology provider shall:
145          (a) be an evidence-based and age appropriate individualized interactive instruction
146     assessment and feedback technology program that teaches eligible students early learning skills
147     needed to be successful upon entry into kindergarten;
148          (b) require regular parental engagement with the student in the student's use of the
149     home-based educational technology program;
150          (c) be aligned with the Utah early childhood core standards;
151          (d) require the administration of [the] a pre- and post-assessment[,] of each student
152     whose parent or legal guardian consents to the assessment that, for a home-based technology
153     program that receives funding under this part, is designated by the board in accordance with
154     Section 53A-1b-110[, of each eligible student]; and
155          (e) require technology providers to ensure successful implementation and utilization of
156     the technology program.
157          Section 3. Section 53A-1b-201 is enacted to read:
158     
Part 2. Expanded Access to High Quality School Readiness Programs Act

159          53A-1b-201. Title.
160          This part is known as the "Expanded Access to High Quality School Readiness
161     Programs Act."
162          Section 4. Section 53A-1b-202 is enacted to read:
163          53A-1b-202. Definitions.
164          As used in this part:
165          (1) "Board" means the State Board of Education.
166          (2) "Child Development Associate Credential" means a credential in early childhood
167     education that is:
168          (a) based on a core set of competency standards; and
169          (b) nationally recognized.

170          (3) "Department" means the Department of Workforce Services.
171          (4) "Economically disadvantaged child" means a child who:
172          (a) is in a family that is eligible for assistance through TANF; or
173          (b) is eligible for free or reduced lunch.
174          (5) "Eligible home-based technology provider" means a provider that offers a
175     home-based educational technology program to develop the school readiness skills of an
176     eligible student.
177          (6) "Eligible private provider" means the same as that term is defined in Section
178     53A-1b-102.
179          (7) "Eligible student" means an individual who:
180          (a) will be four years of age on or before September 2 of the school year in which the
181     individual intends to participate in a school readiness program;
182          (b) has not entered kindergarten; and
183          (c) (i) is experiencing intergenerational poverty, as determined by the department; or
184          (ii) (A) is an economically disadvantaged child; and
185          (B) is at risk for not meeting grade 3 core standards for Utah public schools,
186     established by the State Board of Education under Section 53A-1-402.6, by the end of the
187     individual's grade 3 year, as determined by an assessment.
188          (8) "High quality school readiness program" means a school readiness program that:
189          (a) is provided by an LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based technology
190     provider; and
191          (b) meets the elements of a high quality school readiness program described in Section
192     53A-1b-105 as determined by the board or the department under Section 53A-1b-204,
193     53A-1b-205, or 53A-1b-206.
194          (9) "Intergenerational poverty" means the same as that term is defined in Section
195     35A-9-102.
196          (10) "Intergenerational poverty scholarship" or "IGP scholarship" means a scholarship
197     to attend a high quality school readiness program for an eligible student who is experiencing

198     intergenerational poverty.
199          (11) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means a:
200          (a) school district; or
201          (b) charter school.
202          (12) "TANF" means Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, described in 42 U.S.C.
203     Sec. 601 et seq.
204          Section 5. Section 53A-1b-203 is enacted to read:
205          53A-1b-203. Administration of programs.
206          (1) The State Board of Education, in collaboration with the department, shall:
207          (a) administer the grant program described in Section 53A-1b-204 for LEAs;
208          (b) administer the grant program for eligible home-based technology providers
209     described in Section 53A-1b-205; and
210          (c) oversee the evaluation described in Section 53A-1b-208.
211          (2) The department, in collaboration with the board, shall administer:
212          (a) the grant program described in Section 53A-1b-204 for eligible private providers;
213          (b) the Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Program described in
214     Section 53A-1b-206; and
215          (c) early childhood teacher training described in Section 53A-1b-207.
216          Section 6. Section 53A-1b-204 is enacted to read:
217          53A-1b-204. Student Access to High Quality School Readiness Programs Grant
218     Program -- Determination of high quality school readiness program-- Reporting
219     requirement -- Fees.
220          (1) There is created the Student Access to High Quality School Readiness Programs
221     Grant Program to expand access to high quality school readiness programs for eligible students
222     through:
223          (a) grants for LEAs administered by the board; and
224          (b) grants for eligible private providers administered by the department.
225          (2) The board, in coordination with the department, shall develop a tool to determine

226     whether a school readiness program is a high quality school readiness program.
227          (3) (a) The board shall solicit proposals from LEAs to fund increases in the number of
228     eligible students high quality school readiness programs can serve.
229          (b) The department shall solicit proposals from eligible private providers to fund
230     increases in the number of eligible students high quality school readiness programs can serve.
231          (4) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (4)(c), a respondent shall submit a proposal
232     that includes the information described in Subsection (4)(b):
233          (i) to the board, for a respondent that is an LEA; or
234          (ii) to the department, for a respondent that is an eligible private provider.
235          (b) A respondent's proposal for the grant solicitation described in Subsection (3) shall
236     include:
237          (i) the respondent's existing and proposed school readiness program, including:
238          (A) the number of students served by the respondent's school readiness program;
239          (B) the respondent's policies and procedures for admitting students into the school
240     readiness program;
241          (C) the estimated cost per student; and
242          (D) any fees the respondent charges to a parent or legal guardian for the school
243     readiness program;
244          (ii) the respondent's plan to use funding sources, in addition to a grant described in this
245     section, including:
246          (A) federal funding; or
247          (B) private grants or donations;
248          (iii) existing or planned partnerships between the respondent and an LEA, eligible
249     private provider, or eligible home-based technology provider to increase access to high quality
250     school readiness programs for eligible students;
251          (iv) how the respondent would use a grant to:
252          (A) expand the number of eligible students served by the respondent's school readiness
253     program; and

254          (B) target the funding toward the highest risk students, including addressing the
255     particular needs of children at risk of experiencing intergenerational poverty;
256          (v) how the respondent's school readiness program is a high quality school readiness
257     program; and
258          (vi) the results of any evaluations of the respondent's school readiness program.
259          (c) In addition to the requirements described in Subsection (4)(b), a respondent that is
260     an LEA shall describe in the respondent's proposal the percentage of the respondent's
261     kindergarten through grade 12 students who are economically disadvantaged children.
262          (5) (a) For each LEA proposal received in response to the solicitation described in
263     Subsection (3)(a), the board shall determine if the LEA school readiness program is a high
264     quality school readiness program by:
265          (i) applying the tool described in Subsection (2); and
266          (ii) conducting at least one site visit to the program.
267          (b) For each eligible private provider proposal received in response to the solicitation
268     described in Subsection (3)(b), the department shall determine if the school readiness program
269     is a high quality school readiness program by:
270          (i) applying the tool described in Subsection (2); and
271          (ii) conducting at least one site visit to the program.
272          (6) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (6)(b), the board shall
273     award grants, on a competitive basis, to respondents that are LEAs.
274          (b) The board may only award a grant to an LEA if:
275          (i) the LEA submits a proposal that includes the information required under Subsection
276     (4);
277          (ii) the board determines that the LEA's program is a high quality school readiness
278     program as described in Subsection (5); and
279          (iii) the LEA agrees to the evaluation requirements described in Section 53A-1b-208.
280          (7) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations and Subsection (7)(b), the department shall
281     award grants, on a competitive basis, to respondents that are eligible private providers.

282          (b) The department may only award a grant to a respondent if:
283          (i) the respondent submits a proposal that includes the information required under
284     Subsection (4);
285          (ii) the department determines that the respondent's school readiness program is a high
286     quality school readiness program as described in Subsection (5); and
287          (iii) the respondent agrees to the evaluation requirements described in Section
288     53A-1b-208.
289          (8) In evaluating a proposal received in response to the solicitation described in
290     Subsection (3), the board and the department shall consider:
291          (a) the number and percent of students in the respondent's high quality school readiness
292     program that are eligible students at the highest risk;
293          (b) geographic diversity, including whether the respondent is urban or rural;
294          (c) the extent to which the respondent intends to participate in a partnership with an
295     LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based technology provider; and
296          (d) the respondent's level of administrative support and leadership to effectively
297     implement, monitor, and evaluate the program.
298          (9) (a) The board shall ensure that an LEA that receives a grant under this section
299     funded by TANF funds uses the grant to provide a high quality school readiness program for
300     eligible students who are eligible to receive assistance through TANF.
301          (b) The department shall ensure that a private provider that receives a grant under this
302     section funded by TANF funds uses the grant to provide a high quality school readiness
303     program for eligible students who are eligible to receive assistance through TANF.
304          (10) A respondent that receives a grant under this section shall:
305          (a) use the grant to expand access for eligible students to high quality school readiness
306     programs by enrolling eligible students in a high quality school readiness program;
307          (b) report to the board annually regarding:
308          (i) how the respondent used the grant awarded under Subsection (6) or (7);
309          (ii) participation in any partnerships between an LEA, eligible private provider, or

310     eligible home-based technology provider; and
311          (iii) the results of any evaluations;
312          (c) allow classroom or other visits by an independent evaluator selected by the board
313     under Section 53A-1b-208; and
314          (d) for a respondent that is an LEA, notify a parent or legal guardian who expresses
315     interest in enrolling the parent or legal guardian's child in the LEA's high quality school
316     readiness program of each state-funded high quality school readiness program operating within
317     the LEA's geographic boundaries.
318          (11) An LEA that receives a grant under this section may charge a student fee to
319     participate in an LEA's school readiness program if:
320          (a) the LEA's local school board or charter school governing board approves the fee;
321          (b) the fee for a student does not exceed the actual cost of providing the high quality
322     school readiness program to the student; and
323          (c) the fee structure for the program is designed on a sliding scale, based on household
324     income.
325          (12) (a) The board shall establish interventions for a grantee that is an LEA that fails to
326     comply with the requirements described in this section.
327          (b) The department shall establish interventions for a grantee that is an eligible private
328     provider that fails to comply with the requirements described in this section.
329          (c) An intervention under this Subsection (12) may include discontinuing or reducing
330     funding.
331          (13) Subject to legislative appropriations, the board and the department shall give first
332     priority in awarding grants to a respondent that has previously received a grant under this
333     section if the respondent:
334          (a) makes the annual report described in Subsection (9)(b);
335          (b) participates in the annual evaluation described in Section 53A-1b-208; and
336          (c) continues to offer a high quality school readiness program as determined during an
337     annual site visit by:

338          (i) the board, for an LEA; or
339          (ii) the department, for an eligible private provider.
340          (14) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act:
341          (a) the board shall make rules to:
342          (i) implement the tool described in Subsection (2); and
343          (ii) administer the grant program for LEAs described in this section; and
344          (b) the department shall make rules to administer the grant program for eligible private
345     providers described in this section.
346          Section 7. Section 53A-1b-205 is enacted to read:
347          53A-1b-205. Home-based technology high quality school readiness program.
348          (1) (a) The board shall offer a home-based technology high quality school readiness
349     program to eligible students by awarding contracts to one or more home-based technology
350     providers, as described in this section.
351          (b) The board shall solicit proposals from eligible home-based technology providers to
352     provide high quality school readiness programs for eligible students to participate in:
353          (i) at home;
354          (ii) as part of a school readiness program offered by an LEA or private provider; or
355          (iii) in any other setting where Internet access is available, such as a library.
356          (c) The home-based technology high quality school readiness program described in this
357     section is established in the public education system.
358          (2) An eligible home-based technology provider that responds to the solicitation
359     described in Subsection (1) shall submit a proposal describing:
360          (a) how the home-based technology provider's school readiness program meets the
361     elements of a high quality school readiness program described in Subsection 53A-1b-105(2);
362          (b) how the home-based technology provider intends to target the home-based
363     technology provider's school readiness program to eligible students who are at the highest risk,
364     as determined by the board;
365          (c) the cost of the program per student;

366          (d) the cost of a statewide license;
367          (e) existing or planned partnerships between the home-based technology provider and
368     an LEA or eligible private provider; and
369          (f) the results of all evaluations of the home-based technology provider's school
370     readiness program.
371          (3) For each proposal received under Subsection (2), the board shall:
372          (a) determine if the program is a high quality school readiness program using the tool
373     described in Subsection 53A-1b-204(2); and
374          (b) receive a demonstration of the home-based technology.
375          (4) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, and in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter
376     6a, Utah Procurement Code, the board shall award contracts to one or more home-based
377     technology providers to provide home-based school readiness programs.
378          (b) The board may only award a contract to a home-based technology provider if the
379     home-based technology provider:
380          (i) submits a proposal that includes the information described in Subsection (2);
381          (ii) offers a high quality school readiness program; and
382          (iii) agrees to the evaluation requirements described in Section 53A-1b-208.
383          (5) In evaluating a proposal received under Subsection (2), the board shall consider:
384          (a) the number and percent of eligible students that the respondent intends to serve;
385          (b) the extent to which the respondent intends to participate in a partnership with an
386     LEA or eligible private provider;
387          (c) the extent to which the respondent is able to reach students who do not have access
388     to other high quality school readiness programs; and
389          (d) the cost per student.
390          (6) A home-based technology provider that receives a contract under this section:
391          (a) shall use the funding to provide a high quality school readiness program to eligible
392     students; and
393          (b) may use the funding for the installation of computer or Internet access in homes of

394     eligible students whose families cannot afford the equipment or services.
395          (7) The board shall ensure that a home-based technology provider that receives a grant
396     under this section funded by TANF funds uses the grant to provide a home-based high quality
397     school readiness program to eligible students who are eligible to receive TANF funded
398     assistance.
399          (8) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the
400     board shall make rules to implement this section.
401          Section 8. Section 53A-1b-206 is enacted to read:
402          53A-1b-206. Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Program.
403          (1) There is created the Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship
404     Program to provide an eligible student experiencing intergenerational poverty access to a high
405     quality school readiness program.
406          (2) The department shall, in accordance with Section 35A-9-401:
407          (a) determine if an individual is eligible for an IGP scholarship; and
408          (b) award an IGP scholarship.
409          (3) (a) (i) An LEA or home-based technology provider may apply to the board to
410     receive a designation as a high quality school readiness program.
411          (ii) The board shall determine if an LEA or home-based technology provider offers a
412     high quality school readiness program using the tool described in Subsection 53A-1b-204(2).
413          (b) (i) An eligible private provider may apply to the department to receive a
414     designation as a high quality school readiness program.
415          (ii) The department shall determine if an eligible private provider offers a high quality
416     school readiness program using the tool described in Subsection 53A-1b-204(2).
417          (4) (a) The department and the board shall coordinate to assist a parent or legal
418     guardian of a recipient of an IGP scholarship to enroll the IGP scholarship recipient in a high
419     quality school readiness program:
420          (i) offered by an LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based technology
421     provider; and

422          (ii) of the parent or legal guardian's choice.
423          (b) The department shall pay the scholarship amount directly to a high quality school
424     readiness program in which an IGP scholarship recipient enrolls.
425          (5) (a) Except as provided in Subsection (5)(b), the department may not provide an
426     individual's IGP scholarship to an LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based
427     technology provider unless the LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based
428     technology provider offers a high quality school readiness program, as determined by the board
429     or the department under Subsection (3).
430          (b) An LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based technology provider that
431     receives a determination as a high quality school readiness program under Section 53A-1b-204
432     or 53A-1b-206 may enroll an IGP scholarship recipient.
433          Section 9. Section 53A-1b-207 is enacted to read:
434          53A-1b-207. Early childhood teacher training.
435          (1) Subject to legislative appropriations, the department shall provide training to early
436     childhood teachers by providing:
437          (a) a scholarship for individuals who intend to receive a Child Development Associate
438     Credential; and
439          (b) consulting services to assist individuals to complete a Child Development
440     Associate Credential.
441          (2) The department shall conduct an annual needs assessment to determine the number
442     of scholarships to award each year.
443          (3) The department shall make rules, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah
444     Administrative Rulemaking Act, to implement this section.
445          Section 10. Section 53A-1b-208 is enacted to read:
446          53A-1b-208. Evaluation -- Reporting requirements.
447          (1) In accordance with this section, the board, in coordination with the department,
448     shall oversee the ongoing review and evaluation by an independent evaluator for each school
449     year of:

450          (a) the Student Access to High Quality School Readiness Programs Grant Program
451     described in Section 53A-1b-204;
452          (b) the home-based technology high quality school readiness program described in
453     Section 53A-1b-205;
454          (c) the Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness Scholarship Program described in
455     Section 53A-1b-206; and
456          (d) early childhood teacher training described in Section 53A-16-207.
457          (2) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, the board
458     shall enter into a contract with an independent evaluator to assist the board in the evaluation
459     process.
460          (b) In selecting an independent evaluator, the board shall select an evaluator that:
461          (i) has the capacity to meet the requirements described in Subsection (3);
462          (ii) has a background in designing and conducting rigorous evaluations;
463          (iii) has a demonstrated ability to monitor and evaluate a program over an extended
464     period of time;
465          (iv) is independent from agencies or providers implementing high quality school
466     readiness programs funded under this part; and
467          (v) has experience in early childhood education or early childhood education
468     evaluation.
469          (c) The board may not enter into a contract with an independent evaluator without
470     obtaining approval from the department.
471          (3) Under the direction of the board, with input from the department, the independent
472     evaluator selected under Subsection (2) shall:
473          (a) design an evaluation methodology that:
474          (i) assesses the effects of a high quality school readiness program on an eligible
475     student's:
476          (A) readiness for kindergarten, using a uniform assessment methodology that includes
477     a pre- and post-test chosen in coordination with the board;

478          (B) ability, as determined by following the student longitudinally, to meet grade 3 core
479     standards for Utah public schools, established by the board under Section 53A-1-402.6, by the
480     end of the student's grade 3 year; and
481          (C) attainment of a high school diploma or other completion certificate, as determined
482     by following the student longitudinally; and
483          (ii) allows for comparisons between students with similar demographic characteristics
484     who complete a high quality school readiness program and students who do not; and
485          (b) conduct an annual evaluation of the programs described in Subsection (1).
486          (4) To assist the independent evaluator selected under Subsection (2) in completing the
487     evaluation required under Subsection (3):
488          (a) an LEA that receives a grant under Section 53A-1b-204, or enrolls an IGP
489     scholarship recipient under Section 53A-1b-206, shall assign a statewide unique student
490     identifier to each student who participates in the LEA's school readiness program;
491          (b) an eligible private provider that receives a grant described in Section 53A-1b-204
492     or an eligible home-based technology provider that receives a contract described in Section
493     53A-1b-205 shall work in conjunction with the board to assign a statewide unique student
494     identifier to each student who is enrolled in the provider's school readiness program in the
495     student's last year before kindergarten; and
496          (c) an eligible private provider or eligible home-based technology provider that
497     receives an IGP scholarship under Section 53A-1b-206 shall work in conjunction with the
498     board to assign a statewide unique student identifier to each student who is funded by an IGP
499     scholarship.
500          (5) The board and the department shall report annually, on or before November 1, to
501     the Education Interim Committee on the results of an evaluation conducted under this section.
502          Section 11. Appropriation.
503          Under the terms and conditions of Title 63J, Chapter 1, Budgetary Procedures Act, for
504     the fiscal year beginning July 1, 2016, and ending June 30, 2017, the following sums of money
505     are appropriated from resources not otherwise appropriated, or reduced from amounts

506     previously appropriated, out of the funds or amounts indicated. These sums of money are in
507     addition to amounts previously appropriated for fiscal year 2017.
508          To State Board of Education -- State Office of Education -- Teaching and Learning
509               From Education Fund
$120,000

510          To State Board of Education -- State Office of Education -- Teaching and Learning
511               From Revenue Transfer -- Temporary Assistance for Needy
512                Families, One-time
$9,000,000

513               Schedule of Programs:
514                    Student Access to High Quality School Readiness
515                    Programs Grant Program                    $9,120,000
516          To Department of Workforce Services -- Office of Child Care
517               From General Fund
$75,000

518               Schedule of Programs:
519                    Student Access to High Quality School Readiness
520                    Programs Grant Program                    $75,000
521          To Department of Workforce Services -- Office of Child Care
522               From General Fund, One-time
$500,000

523               Schedule of Programs:
524                    Early Childhood Teacher Training               $500,000
525          To Department of Workforce Services -- Office of Child Care
526               From Federal Funds
$2,000,000

527               Schedule of Programs:
528                    Student Access to High Quality School Readiness
529                    Programs Grant Program                    $1,000,000
530                    Intergenerational Poverty School Readiness
531                    Scholarship Program                         $1,000,000
532          The Legislature intends that:
533          (1) for each fiscal year 2017, 2018, and 2019, the Department of Workforce Services

534     shall allocate up to $11,000,000 of Temporary Assistance for Needy Families funding to fund
535     programs described in Title 53A, Chapter 1b, Part 2, Expanded Access to High Quality School
536     Readiness Programs Act;
537          (2) the State Board of Education shall use funds appropriated from Revenue Transfer -
538     Temporary Assistance for Need Families consistent with federal requirements for those funds;
539          (3) the State Board of Education may:
540          (a) use up to $140,000 of the appropriation to the State Board of Education to contract
541     with an independent evaluator to conduct an evaluation, as required by Section 53A-1b-208;
542          (b) use up to $2,000,000 of the appropriation to the State Board of Education to
543     provide grants for home-based technology school readiness programs, as described in Section
544     53A-1b-205; and
545          (c) use the ongoing appropriation to the State Board of Education from the Education
546     Fund for administrative costs;
547          (4) the Department of Workforce Services may use the ongoing appropriation to the
548     Department of Workforce Services for administrative costs; and
549          (5) the appropriations provided in this section be nonlapsing.