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Senate advances $15M grant program to equip Utah schools for online testing
Summary
The Utah Senate moved Senate Bill 97 forward after debate over standards, approving a plan to provide a $15 million one‑time grant and $5 million annually for school technology and infrastructure. The State Board of Education would administer grants; local districts must match funds.
Senate Bill 97, a bill to fund technology and infrastructure for statewide online summative assessments and adaptive testing, was advanced by the Utah Senate and placed on the third‑reading calendar after a recorded vote (26 yea, 1 nay, 2 absent).
Senator Brian Osman, the bill sponsor, said the measure focuses on technology and not curricular standards. "This funding, specifically asks for that we provide a one‑time funding grant to be administered by the State Board of Education in the amount of $15,000,000 and then an ongoing funding of $5,000,000 per year," Osman told the chamber, outlining the program and how grants would be administered by the State Board of Education.
The bill would require local education agencies to provide matching funds for grants. Eligible uses listed by Osman include computer and networking equipment, software, IT staffing and support, physical facility improvements for labs and networks, and professional development for staff; he also said districts could use the infrastructure for instructional purposes beyond testing.
Senator Bramble questioned references in the bill to the "common core," asking whether those standards were effectively a federal imposition. "Aren't those the common core standards that the federal government is going to be using kind of as a… sledgehammer for purposes of bending to the federal will?" Bramble asked. Osman responded that SB 97 is about infrastructure and technology, not about adopting or endorsing particular standards, and that debates about standards should be handled in the separate bills that address content.
Osman and backers stressed accountability: the State Board of Education would oversee administration, confirm local matches and that awarded funds were used for the stated infrastructure purpose. The sponsor also said the goal is readiness for the 2014‑15 school year so online assessments can be implemented statewide.
The Senate recorded 26 yea votes, 1 nay and 2 absences on the motion to advance SB 97; the bill will next appear for third reading where final passage would be considered.
Next steps: SB 97 will be calendared for third reading; sponsors indicated further debate in committee or on third reading could address any remaining concerns about standards language or implementation detail.
