R277.  Education, Administration.
R277-617.  Smart School Technology Program.
R277-617-1.  Authority and Purpose.
	(1)  This rule is authorized by:
	(a)  Utah Constitution Article X, Section 3, which vests the general control and supervision of public education in the Board;
	(b)  Subsection 53E-3-401(4), which allows the Board to adopt rules to execute the Board's duties and responsibilities under the Utah Constitution and state law; and
	(c)  Subsection 53F-6-202(8)(d), which directs the Board to make rules specifying procedures and criteria to be used for selecting schools that may participate in the Smart School Technology Program.
	(2)  The purpose of this rule is to provide criteria and procedures for the Board to select schools to participate in the Smart School Technology Program.

R277-617-2.  Definitions.
	(1)  "Independent Evaluating Committee" means the committee established under Subsection 53F-6-202(5).
	(2)  "Smart School Technology Program" or "Program" means a three-year program developed by a selected technology provider for a customized whole-school technology deployment plan individualized for each school selected by the Board.
	(3)  "Technology", means components provided as examples under Subsection 53F-6-202(7) or other components approved by the independent evaluating committee.

R277-617-3.  School Selection Criteria.
	(1)  A public school that includes any combination of grades K-12 shall be eligible for the Program
	(2)  An applicant school shall provide a technology implementation plan with its application, which shall, at a minimum:
	(a)  identify technologies that the school will employ;
	(b)  estimate numbers of technology devices needed based on numbers of students expected to be in the school for identified school years;
	(c)  provide a supported explanation about how technology will support the improvement of student achievement with respect to the core curriculum;
	(d)  explain how technology will improve students' skill using technology;
	(e)  explain what filtering devices or protections will be used by the school to protect students from inappropriate technology use and sites;
	(f)  agree that the school will provide all data and information required by the Superintendent for evaluation purposes;
	(g)  explain the current technology capabilities and equipment available at the applicant school; and
	(h)  provide additional information requested by the Superintendent on the application.

R277-617-4.  Required Matching Funds.
	(1)  The Superintendent shall provide an application form, which will require specific information about the level or amount of matching funds or resources that the school must provide and when the matching funds must be available.
	(2)  An application shall explain how the school or LEA will provide matching funds to satisfy the requirement of Subsection 53F-6-202(8)(d)(ii) for matching funds.
	(3)  An application shall include assurance that a school or LEA will meet the requirement for matching local funds through the duration of the Program or may be obligated to repay the state funds to the Board.

R277-617-5.  School Selection and Evaluation.
	(1)  The Superintendent shall set application and funding deadlines based on funding availability.
	(2)  The Superintendent shall screen all applications for compliance with all state laws, this Rule R277-617, and application requirements.
	(3)  The Superintendent shall seek the participation and advice of the independent evaluating committee in selecting final applications to recommend for funding.
	(4)  The Board shall make final school selections.
	(5)  To the extent possible, the independent evaluatinf committee recommend schools, which represent geographic, economic and demographic diversity, in addition to other criteria provided in the application.
	(6)  The Board and the education technology provider shall evaluate the program consistent with Subsection 53F-6-202(9).

KEY:  schools, technology
Date of Enactment or Last Substantive Amendment:  August 7, 2018
Notice of Continuation:  June 7, 2018
Authorizing, and Implemented or Interpreted Law:  Art X Sec 3; 53E-3-401(4); 53F