Bill > SB0034

This bill makes several changes to Utah's public education system, including clarifying the definition of "general control and supervision" for the state board to encompass directing and managing all aspects of public education, including LEA compliance and monitoring. It also updates reporting requirements for the State Superintendent's Annual Report to include more detailed data on school operations, finances, and student outcomes, and modifies the appointment process for the superintendent of the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, requiring the state superintendent to appoint and supervise this role with state board approval. Additionally, the bill revises the "Utah First Credential Program" by renaming the "Catalyst Center" to "Applied Professional Education Experience" (APEX) center and expanding its scope to include a broader range of learning experiences and industry partnerships, while also establishing a framework for performance funding for LEAs administering these programs. Furthermore, it amends the "Grow Your Own Educator Pipeline Program" to allow for more flexibility in scholarship usage for clinical experience and updates the "Applied Professional Education Experience Grant Program" to include new definitions, application requirements, and reporting standards for LEAs seeking funding to create or expand APEX centers, with a specific allocation for this program within the Public Education Economic Stabilization Restricted Account. Finally, the bill enhances school safety measures by refining the roles and responsibilities of school safety personnel, including school safety and security specialists and directors, and updates requirements for school safety needs assessments and reintegration plans for students involved in serious offenses.