R277-488. Dual Language Immersion Program

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-488.  Dual Language Immersion Program.

R277-488-1.  Authority and Purpose.

          (1)  This rule is authorized by:

          (a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests general control and supervision over public education in the Board;

          (b)  Section 53F-2-502, which requires the Board to establish a Dual Language Immersion program; and

          (c)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to make rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law.

          (2)  The purpose of this rule is to:

          (a)  establish criteria and procedures for distributing funds to elementary and secondary schools participating in the Dual Language Immersion Program;

          (b)  increase the number of students who reach proficiency in world languages;

          (c)  build overall world language capacity in the state of Utah; and

          (d)  increase the number of biliterate and bilingual students.

R277-488-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "Dual language immersion" or "DLI" means a distinctive dual language education program in which native English speakers and active speakers of another language are integrated for academic content.

          (2)  "Secondary school" means grades 7-12 in whatever schools the grade levels exist.

R277-488-3.  Dual Language Immersion Program Requirements.

          (1)  The Superintendent shall disburse DLI program funds by July 1 of each fiscal year subject to state appropriation.

          (2)  The DLI program shall support world languages approved by the Superintendent.

          (3)  The Superintendent shall provide an initial application for an LEA to receive funding for DLI programs.

          (4)  An LEA shall submit an application described in Subsection (3) no later than the deadline specified in the application to be considered for elementary school DLI program funding in the subsequent school year.

          (5)  An application for DLI program funds shall include a plan that includes:

          (a)  a world language approved by the Superintendent;

          (b)  a timeline that begins the instructional model in kindergarten or grade 1, adds an additional grade each year; and

          (c)  a plan and procedure in place to notify students and parents of the availability of at least one DLI course.

          (6)  The Superintendent shall give priority in DLI program funding to an LEA that:

          (a)  does not currently teach the requested language choice;

          (b)  demonstrates adequate local funding and infrastructure to begin a program or expand existing programs;

          (c)  demonstrates community interest and students committed and prepared to participate in a new or expanded program, including prepared instructors for the program;

          (d)  has adequate interest, resources, and infrastructure, but does not presently have a DLI program; and

          (e)  has a demonstrated community need for improved or expanded world language instruction in a specific school or community.

          (7)  A school receiving DLI program funds shall hire qualified world language teachers who:

          (a)  have a world language endorsement in the language of instruction and a DLI endorsement; and

          (b)  are Utah licensed elementary or secondary educators.

R277-488-4.  Proficiency Assessment Requirements.

          (1)  The Superintendent shall select a proficiency assessment through an appropriate procurement process.

          (2)  The proficiency assessment described in Subsection (1) shall assess the following areas of proficiency:

          (a)  listening;

          (b)  speaking;

          (c)  reading; and

          (d)  writing.

          (3)  An LEA DLI program shall administer the proficiency assessment selected by the Superintendent as described in Subsection (1) for certain areas of proficiency listed in subsection (2) at each grade level starting at Grade 3 and through Grade 9.

R277-488-5.  International Guest Teacher Requirements.

          (1)  An LEA may offer world languages through the DLI program using an international guest teacher as outlined in R277-310.

R277-488-6.  Dual Language Immersion Funds.

          (1)  Elementary schools shall be selected for funding for the DLI program based on an evaluation of applications by the Superintendent.

          (a)  Secondary schools shall receive funding as recipients of DLI students through the regular school feeder system.

          (2)  The Superintendent shall make an award to an individual elementary or secondary school and allocate funds to the school's LEA to be fully distributed to the school based on the annual legislative funding allocation.

          (3)  The Superintendent shall notify a new school eligible for funding of a funds award for the subsequent fiscal year by June 1 annually.

R277-488-7.  Evaluation and Reports.

          (1)  Each school selected for funding shall submit an evaluation report to the Superintendent by June 30 annually.

          (2)  The Superintendent may request additional data from a secondary or elementary school that receives funding.

KEY:  critical languages, dual language immersion

Date of Last Change:  January 17, 2023

Notice of Continuation:  August 19, 2021

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53F-2-502; 53E-3-401

Status of Rule

Effective January 17, 2023

Five-year review August 19, 2026

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Oversight Framework

Uncategorized

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
53F-2-502

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

R277-310, International Guest Teachers

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Karl Bowman
karl.bowman@schools.utah.gov
Dual Language Immersion

Secondary Contact:
Robert Austin
robert.austin@schools.utah.gov
Social Studies

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This page was last updated on November 6, 2024.

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NOTE: The information on this webpage is provided as a service to users and the Utah State Board of Education is not responsible for any errors or omissions.

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