Section 408.5 – Early college programs.

• (1) As used in this section:
  • (a) ” Advanced Placement course” means a rigorous course developed by the College Board that:
    • (i) is developed by a committee composed of college faculty and Advanced Placement teachers and covers the breadth of information, skills, and assignments found in the corresponding college course; and
    • (ii) for which a student who performs well on an exam for the course may be:
      • (A) granted college credit; or
      • (B) given advanced standing at a college or university.
  • (b) “Eligible low income student” means a student who:
    • (i) takes an Advanced Placement course test;
    • (ii) has applied for an Advanced Placement course test fee reduction; and
    • (iii) qualifies for a free lunch or a lunch provided at a reduced cost.
  • (c) “International Baccalaureate program” means a program established by the International Baccalaureate Organization.
  • (d) “Local education agency” or “LEA” means:
    • (i) a school district; or
    • (ii) a charter school.

• (2)
  • (a) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, the state board shall make rules to establish a formula to distribute money appropriated for the early college programs described in Subsection (2)(b).
  • (b) Subject to Subsection (2)(c), the formula described in Subsection (2)(a) shall:
    • (i) include an allocation of money for the following early college programs:
      • (A) Advanced Placement courses; and
      • (B) International Baccalaureate programs; and
    • (ii) prioritize funding to:
      • (A) increase access to early college programs for groups of students who are underrepresented in early college programs; and
      • (B) cover the cost of each early college program test taken by a student experiencing socioeconomic disadvantage.
  • (c) The state board may not allocate more that $100,000 of an appropriation under this section for International Baccalaureate programs.
  • (d) The state board shall consult with LEAs before making the rules described in Subsection (2)(a).

• (3)
  • (a) An LEA shall use money distributed under this section for the purposes described in Subsection (2)(b), prioritizing the cost of tests described in Subsection (2)(b)(ii)(B) before using the remainder of the money for other allowable uses.
  • (b) An LEA may charge the restricted rate for indirect costs in Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs.

• (4) The state board shall develop performance criteria to measure the effectiveness of the early college programs described in this section.

• (5) If an LEA receives an allocation of less than $10,000 for the early college programs described in this section, the LEA may use the allocation as described in Section 53F-2-206.

Amended by Chapter 383, 2022 General Session