1. (1) On or before December 1, the Superintendent shall:

   1. (a) identify high poverty schools and eligible teachers in accordance with Subsection (2);
   2. (b) distribute a list of eligible teachers to LEAs; and

   3. (c) inform LEAs of:

      1. (i) program requirements and the timeline for applying on behalf of an eligible teacher; and
      2. (ii) the date on which the Superintendent will provide notice to each teacher who the Superintendent estimates achieved the eligibility criteria to qualify for a bonus, as required in Subsection 53F-2-513(5)(d).

2. (2) The Superintendent shall identify:

   1. (a) high poverty schools based on the proportion of students who:

      1. (i) qualify for free or reduced lunch in the current school year, based on:

         1. (A) the most recent end of school year enrollment headcounts for existing schools; or
         2. (B) the October 1 enrollment headcounts for new schools; and
      2. (ii) are classified as children affected by intergenerational poverty, as determined by the Utah Department of Workforce Services, for the most recent year data is available; and

   2. (b) eligible teachers by determining:

      1. (i) whether the teacher's MGP was greater than or equal to 70:

         1. (A) for at least one state-assessed course taught by the teacher;
         2. (B) as measured by student performance on a standards assessment restricted to those students who were taught by the teacher for a full academic year;
         3. (C) two years before the current school year; and
         4. (D) excluding courses or teachers who failed to meet accountability eligibility as described in Rule R277-497; or
      2. (ii) for a teacher in kindergarten or grade 1, 2, or 3, whether at least 85% of the teacher's students assess as typical or better on an end of year benchmark assessment.
3. (3) An eligible teacher who is part-time in a regular or special education classroom assignment in the current year shall receive a partial salary bonus based on the number of hours worked in the classroom assignment.

4. (4) To receive matching funds for the program, on or before January 15, an LEA shall:

   1. (a) apply on behalf of an eligible teacher; and

   2. (b) provide assurances that the LEA will pay half of the:

      1. (i) teacher salary bonus; and
      2. (ii) employer-paid benefits described in Section 53F-2-513.

5. (5)(a) Subject to legislative appropriations, on or before June 1, the Superintendent shall:

   1. (i) ensure that a teacher who was determined eligible under Subsections (1) and (2) taught at a high poverty school for the full school year; and

      1. (ii) distribute to an LEA that meets the criteria described in Subsection (4) half of the:

         1. (A) teacher salary bonus; and
         2. (B) employer-paid benefits described in Section 53F-2-513.
   2. (b) Consistent with Section 53F-2-513, the Superintendent may distribute the funds on a pro rata basis if the number of eligible applicants exceeds the amount of available funds.

6. (6)(a) An LEA or an eligible teacher may appeal eligibility to the Superintendent on the basis that the teacher:

   1. (i) is teaching at a high poverty school;

      1. (ii) is an eligible teacher; or
      2. (iii) has less than ten tested students, but can demonstrate extenuating circumstances that merit an exception.
   2. (b) An LEA or eligible teacher shall provide documentation to the Superintendent to assist the Superintendent in deciding on the appeal.

KEY: teachers, poverty schools, incentives, student growth

Date of Last Change: October 8, 2024

Notice of Continuation: May 13, 2026

Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law: Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53F-2-513