R277-923. American Indian and Alaskan Native Education State Plan Programs

R277.  Education, Administration.

R277-923.  American Indian and Alaska Native Education State Plan Programs.

R277-923-1.  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; and

          (b)  Section 53F-5-603, which provides that the Board may make rules related to the programs; 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 provide:

          (a)  for implementation of the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan through locally developed LEA plans in accordance with Section 53F-5-604;

          (b)  criteria for evaluating grant applications; and

          (c)  procedures for:

          (i)  a school district to apply to the Board to receive grant money; and

          (ii)  the review of the use of grant money.

R277-923-2.  Definitions.

          (1)  "American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated school" has the same meaning as that term is defined in Section 53F-5-601.

          (2)  "Program site" means the school where an LEA plans to use grant money and implement the LEA's program.

R277-923-3.  Grant Application.

          (1)  An LEA may apply for a grant described in Section 53F-5-603 by submitting an application to the Superintendent on or before the last Friday in May.

          (2)  The Superintendent shall develop a grant application and make the grant application available to LEAs that meet the eligibility as an American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated school.

          (3)  An LEA applying for a grant shall include in the application:

          (a)  a description of how the proposed program aligns with the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan described in Section 53F-5-605;

          (b)  identification of the specific academic needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students the program is designed to address;

          (c)  a description of the evidence-based strategies or data supporting the proposed program;

          (d)  a plan for measuring student outcomes and program effectiveness;

          (e)  a description of how the LEA will coordinate with existing programs and resources identified in the state plan; and

          (f)  a description of any consultation with tribal leaders or stakeholders in developing the proposal.

R277-923-4.  Procedure and Criteria for Awarding a Grant.

          (1)  The Superintendent shall award:

          (a)  one American Indian and Alaska Native Education State Plan Program grant to an LEA to serve one or more program sites for the five-year program created in Subsection 53F-5-602(1); and

          (b)  one grant to an LEA to serve one or more program sites for the four-year program created in Subsection 53F-5-602(2).

          (2)  The Superintendent shall award a grant described in Subsection (1) to an LEA based on the following criteria:

          (a)  up to 20 points will be awarded based on the percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in the program sites;

          (b)  up to 15 points will be awarded based on the educator recruiting and retention needs of the program sites;

          (c)  up to 15 points will be awarded based on the strength of the LEA's program design plan, including consideration of the state plan and use of evidence-based strategies;

          (d)  up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's plan to objectively evaluate program effectiveness, including use of data and measurable outcomes informed by the state plan; and

          (e)  up to 10 points will be awarded based on the strength of the LEA's proposed budget and how many educators the LEA plans to serve.

          (f)  up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's plan to recruit, retain, and support highly qualified teachers consistent with the state plan;

          (g)  up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's coordination with existing programs and efficient use of available resources; and

          (h)  up to 10 points will be awarded based on the extent of consultation with tribal leaders and stakeholders.

          (3)  The Superintendent shall ensure that grants awarded under this rule:

          (a)  support the purposes of the program described in Section 53F-5-602 by addressing the identified academic and educator workforce needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students;

          (b)  reflect and consider the goals, priorities, and outcomes of the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan described in Section 53F-5-605 through the LEA's locally developed plan; and

          (c)  are awarded in accordance with Subsection 53F-5-602(1)(c), including prioritizing American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated schools located in qualifying counties for at least two-thirds of the available funds.

R277-923-5.  American Indian and Alaska Native Education State Plan.

          (1)  In accordance with Section 53F-5-605, the Board shall adopt an American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan.

          (2)  In developing the state plan, the Board shall:

          (a)  engage in meaningful consultation with tribal leaders and stakeholders; and

          (b)  present the proposed state plan to the Native American Legislative Liaison Committee, in accordance with Section 53F-5-605.

          (3)  The Superintendent shall:

          (a)  support the development of the state plan and its implementation through locally developed LEA plans;

          (b)  ensure that grant application materials and evaluation criteria support LEAs in incorporating the state plan into locally developed plans; and

          (c)  provide guidance to LEAs to support implementation of the state plan through LEA-developed programs and plans.

          (4)  An LEA receiving a grant under this rule shall implement program activities through the LEA's locally developed plan that consider the goals and priorities of the state plan, while allowing the LEA to determine the specific design and implementation based on local needs.

          (5)  The Superintendent shall require an LEA receiving a grant to:

          (a)  collect and report data on student outcomes and program effectiveness; and

          (b)  participate in any statewide evaluation or reporting required to measure implementation of the state plan.

          (6)  The Superintendent may establish reporting requirements to support consistency with the state plan described in Subsection 53F-5-604(2).

KEY:  Native Americans, Alaska Natives, grant programs, teacher retention

Date of Last Change:  August 7, 2026

Notice of Continuation:  June 16, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53F-5-603; 53E-3-401(4)

Status of Rule

Effective August 7, 2026

Five-year review June 16, 2031

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Related Utah Law

Public Education Statutes
Title 53F, Chapter 5, Part 6, American Indian and Alaskan Native Education State Plan Program, specifically 53F-5-602 and 53F-5-603

Other Statutes
None

USBE Administrative Rules
R277-100, Definitions for USBE Rules

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Related Federal Law

None

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Resources

None

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Contact Information

Primary Contact:
Chuck Foster
chuck.foster@schools.utah.gov
ESEA and Related State Initiatives

Secondary Contact:

Max Lang
max.lang@schools.utah.gov
ESEA and Related State Initiatives

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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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