of school improvement plans -- Appeals process. (1) Beginning with the 2023-2024 school year, and every three years thereafter, the state board shall identify two or more approved continuous improvement experts, through a standard procurement process, that a springboard school or elevate school may contract with to: (a) respond to the needs assessment conducted under Section 53E-5-302; and (b) provide the services described in Section 53E-5-303 or 53E-5-304, as applicable. (2) In identifying continuous improvement experts under Subsection (1), the state board shall identify experts that: (a) have a credible track record of improving student academic achievement in public schools with various demographic characteristics, as measured by statewide assessments described in Section 53E-4-301; (b) have experience designing, implementing, and evaluating data-driven instructional systems in public schools; (c) have experience coaching public school administrators and teachers on designing data-driven school improvement plans; (d) have experience working with the various education entities that govern public schools; (e) have experience coordinating the services provided to participating schools by other experts or providers; (f) have experience delivering high-quality professional development in instructional effectiveness to public school administrators and teachers; and (g) are willing to partner with any springboard school or elevate school in the state, regardless of location. (3) (a) The state board shall: (i) review a proposal submitted for approval under Section 53E-5-303 or 53E-5-304 no later than 30 days after the day on which the proposal is submitted; (ii) review a school improvement plan submitted for approval under Subsection 53E-5-303(7)(b) or under Subsection 53E-5-304(9)(b) within 30 days of submission; and (iii) approve a school improvement plan that: (A) is timely; (B) is well-developed; and (C) meets the criteria described in Subsection 53E-5-303(5). (b) The state board may not approve a school improvement plan that is not aligned with the needs assessment conducted under Section 53E-5-302. (4) (a) Subject to legislative appropriations, when a school improvement plan is approved by the state board, the state board shall distribute funds to each LEA governing board with a springboard school or elevate school to carry out the provisions of Sections 53E-5-303 and 53E-5-304. (b) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules establishing a distribution method and allowable uses of the funds described in Subsection (4)(a). (5) The state board shall: (a) monitor and assess progress toward the goals, benchmarks and timetable in each school improvement plan; and (b) act as a liaison between a local school board, springboard school or elevate school, and continuous improvement expert. (6) (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules to establish an appeals process for: (i) a springboard district school or elevate district school that is not granted approval from the district school's local school board under Subsection 53E-5-303(7)(b); (ii) a springboard charter school or elevate charter school that is not granted approval from the charter school's charter school governing board under Subsection 53E-5-304(9)(b); and (iii) a local school board or charter school governing board that is not granted approval from the state board under Subsection (3)(a) or (b). (b) The state board shall ensure that rules made under Subsection (6)(a) require an appeals process described in: (i) Subsections (6)(a)(i) and (ii) to be resolved on or before July 1 of the initial remedial year; and (ii) Subsection (6)(a)(iii) to be resolved on or before August 15 of the initial remedial year. (7) Except as provided in Subsection (8), if the amount is approved by the state board in an open meeting, the state board may use a portion of the funds appropriated by the Legislature to carry out the provisions of this part for: (a) administration; or (b) other school improvement supports for all public schools, including for data resources. (8) For the 2020-21, 2021-22, and 2022-23 school years, if the state board approves the use in an open meeting, the state board may use funds the Legislature appropriated in prior years to carry out the provisions of this part: (a) for administration; (b) up to $1,000,000 to contract with a provider, through a request for proposals process, to pilot complementary approaches to school improvement that draw on community resources and engagement; and (c) to analyze the effectiveness of supports provided: (i) under this part; and (ii) by other school improvement programs.
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