35A-15-402.  Results-based contracts — Assessment.

(1)  The board may enter into a results-based contract to fund participation of eligible students in a high quality school readiness program in accordance with this part.

Terms Used In Utah Code 35A-15-402

  • Board: means the School Readiness Board, created in Section 35A-15-201. See Utah Code 35A-15-102
  • Contract: A legal written agreement that becomes binding when signed.
  • Dependent: A person dependent for support upon another.
  • Eligible student: means a student:
(a) 
(i) who is age three, four, or five; and
(ii) is not eligible for enrollment under Subsection 53G-4-402(8); and
(b) 
(i) 
(A) who is economically disadvantaged; and
(B) whose parent or legal guardian reports that the student has experienced at least one risk factor;
(ii) is an English learner; or
(iii) is in foster care. See Utah Code 35A-15-102
  • Evaluation: means an evaluation conducted in accordance with Section 35A-15-303. See Utah Code 35A-15-102
  • High quality school readiness program: means a preschool program that:
    (a) is provided by an eligible LEA, eligible private provider, or eligible home-based educational technology provider; and
    (b) meets the elements of a high quality school readiness program described in Section 35A-15-202. See Utah Code 35A-15-102
  • Investor: means a person that enters into a results-based contract to provide funding to a high quality school readiness program on the condition that the person will receive payment in accordance with Section 35A-15-402 if the high quality school readiness program meets the performance outcome measures included in the results-based contract. See Utah Code 35A-15-102
  • Obligation: An order placed, contract awarded, service received, or similar transaction during a given period that will require payments during the same or a future period.
  • Results-based contract: means a contract that:
    (a) is entered into in accordance with Section 35A-15-402;
    (b) includes a performance outcome measure; and
    (c) is between the board, a provider of a high quality school readiness program, and an investor. See Utah Code 35A-15-102
    (2) 

    (a)  The board shall include an investor as a party to a results-based contract.

    (b)  The board may provide for a repayment to an investor to include a return of investment and an additional return on investment, dependent on achievement of the performance outcome measures set in the results-based contract.

    (c)  The additional return on investment described in Subsection (2)(b) may not exceed 5% above the current Municipal Market Data General Obligation Bond AAA scale for a 10 year maturity at the time of the issuance of the results-based contract.

    (d)  Funding obtained for an early education program through a results-based contract that includes an investor is not a procurement item under Section 63G-6a-103.

    (e)  A results-based contract that includes an investor shall include:

    (i)  a requirement that the repayment to the investor be conditioned on achieving the performance outcome measures set in the results-based contract;

    (ii)  a requirement for an independent evaluator to determine whether the performance outcome measures have been achieved;

    (iii)  a provision that repayment to the investor is:

    (A)  based upon available money in the School Readiness Restricted Account described in Section 35A-15-203; and

    (B)  subject to legislative appropriations; and

    (iv)  a provision that the investor is not eligible to receive or view personally identifiable student data of students funded through the results-based contract.

    (f)  The board may not issue a results-based contract if the total outstanding obligations of results-based contracts that include an investor as a party to the contract would exceed $15,000,000 at any one time.

    (3)  The board shall require an independent evaluation to determine if a school readiness program meets the performance outcome measures included in a results-based contract.

    (4)  If the board enters into a results-based contract, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, the board shall select an independent evaluator with experience in evaluating school readiness programs.

    (5) 

    (a)  At the end of each year of a results-based contract after a student funded through a results-based contract completes kindergarten, the independent evaluator shall determine whether the performance outcome measures set in the results-based contract have been met.

    (b)  The board may not pay an investor unless the evaluation described in Subsection (5)(a) determines that the performance outcome measures in the results-based contract have been met.

    (6) 

    (a)  The board shall ensure that a parent or guardian of an eligible student participating in a program funded through a results-based contract has given permission and signed an acknowledgment that the student’s data may be shared for research and evaluation purposes, subject to federal law.

    (b)  The board shall maintain documentation of parental permission required in Subsection (6)(a).

    Amended by Chapter 186, 2019 General Session
    Amended by Chapter 342, 2019 General Session, (Coordination Clause)
    Renumbered and Amended by Chapter 342, 2019 General Session

    Coordination clause direction that Section 35A-15-402 supersede Section 53F-6-309.