§ 37-181-21. Severability
If any provision of this law or its application is held invalid, the invalidity does not affect other provisions or applications of this law which can be given effect without the invalid provision or application and to this end the provisions of this law are severable.
§ 37-181-19. Sources of funding of Education Scholarship Accounts
The State Department of Education may receive and expend contributions from any public or private source to fund ESAs for participating students.
§ 37-179-3. Responsibilities of districts applying to be designated as districts of innovation; requirements of districts and all schools participating in a district’s innovation plan
A district which is an applicant to be designated as a district of innovation under Section 37-179-1 shall: Establish goals and performance targets for the district of innovation proposal, which may include: Reducing achievement gaps among groups of public school students by expanding learning experiences for students who are identified as academically low-achieving; Increasing pupil […]
§ 37-181-1. Title
This chapter shall be known and may be cited as “The Equal Opportunity for Students with Special Needs Act.”
§ 37-181-3. Definitions
The terms used in this chapter shall have the meanings ascribed herein, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: “Program” means a five-year pilot program to implement the Education Scholarship Account (ESA) program created in this chapter. “Eligible student” means any student who has had an active Individualized Education Program (IEP) within the past five (5) […]
§ 37-181-5. Parental obligations to qualify eligible student for program participation; use of Education Scholarship Account funds
An eligible student shall qualify to participate in the program if the parent signs an agreement promising: To provide an organized, appropriate educational program with measurable annual goals to their participating student and, to the extent reasonably deemed appropriate by the parent, to provide an education for the qualified student in at least the subjects […]
§ 37-181-7. Funding of Education Scholarship Accounts; approval of eligible students for program participation to be on a phased-in basis
The ESA program created in this chapter shall be limited to five hundred (500) students in the school year 2015-2016, with new enrollment limited to five hundred (500) additional students each year thereafter. Subject to appropriation from the General Fund, each student’s ESA shall be funded at Six Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($6,500.00) for school […]
§ 37-181-9. Responsibilities of department
The department shall create a standard form that parents of students submit to establish their student’s eligibility for an Education Scholarship Account. The department shall ensure that the application is readily available to interested families through various sources, including the department’s website and the copy of procedural safeguards annually given to parents. The department shall […]
§ 37-181-11. Adoption of rules and policies for administration of program; development of system for payment of benefits; prevention of fraud
To ensure that funds are spent appropriately, the State Department of Education shall adopt rules and policies necessary for the administration of the program, including the auditing of Education Scholarship Accounts, and shall conduct or contract for random audits throughout the year. The department or qualified nonprofit shall develop a system for payment of benefits, […]
§ 37-181-13. PEER to prepare biannual report on sufficiency of funds for Education Scholarship Accounts
The Joint Legislative Committee on Performance Evaluation and Expenditure Review (PEER) shall prepare a biannual report, beginning in 2018 and every two (2) years thereafter, assessing the sufficiency of funding for Education Scholarship Accounts and recommending any suggested changes in state law or policy necessary to improve the program. The report shall assess: The level […]