State board makes early math screener optional, funds one‑year manual data option

The Utah State Board of Education voted on May 15 to amend R277-406 — the rule governing early learning programs and benchmark assessments — to make the statewide early mathematics screener optional for local education agencies and to provide one‑year state funding for manual data‑entry licenses for LEAs that choose to participate.

Members debated the change at length after public commenters and assessment directors warned that the legislature did not appropriate funds for the mandated assessment. Ben Jameson, president of the Utah Association of Assessment Directors, told the board the mandate had been left unfunded in the 2026 session and that forcing districts to pay would “disproportionately harm our rural and less affluent districts,” urging the board to waive or make the requirement optional.

Vice Chair Ballinger offered an amendment to draft two of R277-406 to insert “if administered” language and to change several mandatory references so LEAs may, rather than must, administer the math screener when legislative funding is not provided. That amendment passed unanimously.

Board members then debated whether the state would provide any bridge funding. USB staff told the board there is roughly $600,000 available within the assessment budget to pay for manual‑entry licenses for kindergarten through grade 3 for one year. Sid McCarti, director of assessment accountability, explained the manual license costs roughly $3 per student; a full digital license that automates data entry would cost substantially more per student and would require additional funding if districts want that capability.

After further debate, the board approved an amendment adding a one‑year provision that “if an LEA chooses to administer the early mathematics assessment, access to the manual entry license through the statewide contract will be provided through dedicated USB funds” for school year 2026–27. That motion passed (13 in favor, 1 no, 1 abstention recorded in debate). With those changes incorporated, the board voted to approve R277-406 on second and final reading; staff said the adopted language makes the screener optional when the legislature has not appropriated funds while preserving the option for continuity where districts want to use the same tool.

Why it matters: the board’s action preserves local choice while offering a temporary, lower‑cost statewide data option that keeps trend lines intact for state policy work. Board members said the decision is an interim step while the state considers whether to seek legislative funding or to issue a new request for proposals for an assessment vendor.

What’s next: USB staff said they will implement the one‑year contract amendment and work with LEAs that opt in to determine which license types districts need and whether they will pay for richer digital access. The board also signaled interest in convening stakeholders this summer and fall to clarify long‑term assessment strategy and potential legislative requests.

Quotes: “Forcing districts to cover these costs will have direct negative consequences,” Ben Jameson said during public comment, urging the board to avoid shifting the unfunded mandate to LEAs. “This amendment allows us to be responsible in a year of limited appropriations while preserving the ability to collect consistent data,” Vice Chair Ballinger said after offering the optional‑assessment language.

Ending: The board adopted the amended rule unanimously on second and final reading; the manual‑license funding is a one‑year measure to bridge the gap until the board and legislature settle on a long-term approach.