USBE and advisory committee recommend vendor choice with state support for student‑information systems

The State Board of Education and a 24‑member advisory committee presented a report required by HB 508 on Sept. 1 that evaluated Utah’s student‑information systems (SIS), estimated costs and staff time, and advanced four policy options for the Legislature to consider. The committee’s recommended option — allow local education agencies to keep vendor choice while increasing USBE support, monitoring and vendor coordination — received the most committee votes in a ranked‑choice process.

The report, summarized by Elise Newey (deputy superintendent for policy) and State Board Chair Matt Hymas, found Utah supports multiple SIS vendors across the state: eight vendors serve districts and charters, with the state’s free Aspire system used by many smaller LEAs and proprietary vendors serving large districts. The committee estimated the total annual cost for SIS procurement, hosting, licensing, training and related staff time at…