Bill > SB0274

This bill establishes a new section of law to provide supplemental funding for literacy coaching, defining a "benchmark reading assessment" as a specific test used to measure student reading performance. If a Local Education Agency (LEA), which is a school district or similar entity, shows average student reading scores below the statewide average on this assessment, the state board will provide extra funding to that LEA for additional literacy coaching support. The amount of funding will generally be equivalent to half of a full-time employee's cost, but for LEAs with fewer than 300 students that also show below-average reading growth, the funding will be equivalent to a full-time employee. Furthermore, if an individual school within an LEA has average reading scores below the statewide average and demonstrates significantly below-average reading growth, that specific school will receive funding equivalent to one full-time employee for literacy coaching. This funding will be distributed by the state board based on the reading assessment data from the year before the relevant fiscal year, and the provisions of this bill will become effective on July 1, 2026.

https://le.utah.gov/~2026/bills/static/SB0274.html