R277-923-4. Procedure and Criteria for Awarding a Grant

(1) The Superintendent shall award: (a) one American Indian and Alaska Native Education State Plan Program grant to an LEA to serve one or more program sites for the five-year program created in Subsection 53F-5-602(1); and (b) one grant to an LEA to serve one or more program sites for the four-year program created in Subsection 53F-5-602(2). (2) The Superintendent shall award a grant described in Subsection (1) to an LEA based on the following criteria: (a) up to 20 points will be awarded based on the percentage of American Indian and Alaska Native students enrolled in the program sites; (b) up to 15 points will be awarded based on the educator recruiting and retention needs of the program sites; (c) up to 15 points will be awarded based on the strength of the LEA's program design plan, including consideration of the state plan and use of evidence-based strategies; (d) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's plan to objectively evaluate program effectiveness, including use of data and measurable outcomes informed by the state plan; and (e) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the strength of the LEA's proposed budget and how many educators the LEA plans to serve. (f) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's plan to recruit, retain, and support highly qualified teachers consistent with the state plan; (g) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the LEA's coordination with existing programs and efficient use of available resources; and (h) up to 10 points will be awarded based on the extent of consultation with tribal leaders and stakeholders. (3) The Superintendent shall ensure that grants awarded under this rule: (a) support the purposes of the program described in Section 53F-5-602 by addressing the identified academic and educator workforce needs of American Indian and Alaska Native students; (b) reflect and consider the goals, priorities, and outcomes of the American Indian and Alaska Native education state plan described in Section 53F-5-605 through the LEA's locally developed plan; and (c) are awarded in accordance with Subsection 53F-5-602(1)(c), including prioritizing American Indian and Alaska Native concentrated schools located in qualifying counties for at least two-thirds of the available funds.