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7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill addresses funding and policy for English language learner instructional
10 materials and support.
11 Highlighted Provisions:
12 This bill:
13 ▸ requires the State Board of Education (state board) to allocate funding to local
14 education agencies for instructional materials and licenses used for English
15 language learner instruction and support; and
16 ▸ requires the state board to provide to the Education Interim Committee a funding
17 projection for annual and one-time costs associated with English language learner
18 support.
19 Money Appropriated in this Bill:
20 None
21 Other Special Clauses:
22 None
23 Utah Code Sections Affected:
24 AMENDS:
25 53F-2-419, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2021, Chapter 439
26 53G-7-223, as enacted by Laws of Utah 2022, Chapter 354
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28 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
29 Section 1. Section 53F-2-419 is amended to read:
30 53F-2-419. English language learner software.
31 (1) Subject to legislative appropriations, the state board shall:
32 (a) allocate the appropriation of funds under this section to an [
33 language learner software and hardware instructional materials and licenses for English
34 language learner instruction and support; and
35 (b) make the allocation described in Subsection (1)(a) [
36 [
37 [
38 English language learner students.
39 (2) An LEA shall use an allocation the LEA receives under Subsection (1) to select a
40 vendor and pay for software licenses for software used for English language learner instruction.
41 Section 2. Section 53G-7-223 is amended to read:
42 53G-7-223. Policy supporting students learning English, parents, and families.
43 (1) An LEA shall adopt a policy addressing the LEA's communication and assistance to
44 students learning English, their parents, and their families.
45 (2) The policy shall provide:
46 (a) guidance on the appropriate use of an interpreter and recommended interpreter
47 qualifications, including certification or education-specific experience, for the following:
48 (i) classroom activities;
49 (ii) impromptu and scheduled office visits or phone calls;
50 (iii) enrollment or registration processes;
51 (iv) the IEP process;
52 (v) student educational and occupational planning processes;
53 (vi) fee waiver processes;
54 (vii) parent engagement activities;
55 (viii) student disciplinary meetings;
56 (ix) school community councils;
57 (x) school board meetings;
58 (xi) other school or LEA activities; and
59 (xii) other interactions between the parents of a student learning English and
60 educational staff;
61 (b) guidance on the appropriate use of a translator or interpreter for the translation or
62 interpretation of:
63 (i) registration or enrollment materials, including home language surveys and English
64 learning program entrance and exit notifications;
65 (ii) assignments and accompanying materials;
66 (iii) report cards or other progress reports;
67 (iv) student discipline policies and procedures;
68 (v) grievance procedures and notices of rights and nondiscrimination;
69 (vi) parent or family handbooks; and
70 (vii) requests for parent permission; and
71 (c) any other guidance, including guidance on when oral interpretation is preferable to
72 written translation, to improve instruction and assistance by teachers, counselors, and
73 administrators to a student learning English and the student's parents and family.
74 (3) The state board shall provide to an LEA notification of LEA requirements
75 described in this section, a model of the policy described in this section, and guidance and
76 technical assistance regarding existing requirements in relevant statute, administrative rule, and
77 federal law.
78 (4) On or before July 1, 2023, the state board shall provide to the Education Interim
79 Committee a funding projection for annual and one-time costs associated with an LEA's
80 implementation of the policy described in this section.