Utah State Legislature

            (1) The PAR Program is created to:

            (a) conduct regular evaluations of novice teachers and underperforming veteran teachers;

            (b) provide support and mentoring to novice teachers and underperforming veteran teachers; and

            (c) make recommendations for continued employment or dismissal of novice teachers and underperforming veteran teachers.

            (2) Subject to future budget constraints, the Legislature shall appropriate money for a five-year period to the State Board of Education for the PAR Program.

            (3) The State Board of Education shall:

            (a) solicit proposals from school districts for the use of grant money to develop and implement PAR Programs; and

            (b) award grants to school districts on a competitive basis.

            (4) In awarding a grant under Subsection (3)(b), the State Board of Education shall consider:

            (a) the applicant's capacity to effectively achieve the purposes of the PAR Program as described in Subsection (1);

            (b) whether the district has a rigorous and standards-based teacher evaluation system already in place; and

            (c) other criteria as determined by the State Board of Education.

            (5) To receive a grant, a school district shall submit a proposal to the State Board of Education on how the district intends to develop and implement a PAR Program, within the specifications of Section 53A-8a-803.

            (6) A selected district may use grant money:

            (a) to develop and design a PAR Program to fit the needs of the district, which may include hiring consultants;

            (b) to fund additional pay or stipends, computers, travel reimbursement, and office space for consulting teachers;

            (c) for program administration and clerical support staff;

            (d) for stipends for PAR Joint Panel members;

            (e) to pay substitute teachers for PAR Joint Panel members to attend meetings or for teachers enrolled in the PAR Program to visit and observe other classes; and

            (f) for training costs.

            (7) After each year of the pilot program, the State Board of Education shall make a report to the Education Interim Committee evaluating the impact of the PAR Program on retaining high quality teachers and dismissing ineffective teachers in a timely manner.

            (8) The State Board of Education shall make rules specifying:

            (a) procedures for applying for and awarding grants under this part;

            (b) criteria for awarding grants; and

            (c) reporting requirements for grantees.

Enacted by Chapter 273, 2012 General Session