§ 53A-15-104. Critical Languages Program -- Pilot. (Effective 5/13/2014)

(1)

(a) As used in this section, "critical languages" means those languages described in the federal National Security Language Initiative, including Chinese, Arabic, Russian, Farsi, Hindi, and Korean.

(b) The Legislature recognizes:

(i) the importance of students acquiring skills in foreign languages in order for them to successfully compete in a global society; and

(ii) the academic, societal, and economic development benefits of the acquisition of critical languages.

(2)

(a) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the Utah Education and Telehealth Network, shall develop and implement courses of study in the critical languages.

(b) A course may be taught:

(i) over the state's two-way interactive video conferencing system for video and audio, to students in the state's public education system;

(ii) through the Electronic High School;

(iii) through traditional instruction; or

(iv) by visiting guest teachers.

(3)

(a) The courses authorized in Subsection (2) may use paraprofessionals in the classroom who:

(i) are fluent in the critical language being taught; and

(ii) can provide reinforcement and tutoring to students on days and at times when they are not receiving instruction under Subsection (2)(b).

(b) The State Board of Education, through the state superintendent of public instruction, shall ensure that the paraprofessionals are fluent in the critical languages.

(4) The State Board of Education shall make rules on the critical languages courses authorized under this section in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to include:

(a) notification to school districts on the times and places of the course offerings; and

(b) instructional materials for the courses.

(5) The State Board of Education shall track and monitor the Critical Languages Program and may expand the program to include more course offerings and other critical languages, subject to student demand for the courses and available resources.

(6)

(a) Subject to funding for the program, the State Board of Education shall establish a pilot program for school districts and schools to initially participate in the Critical Languages Program that provides:

(i) up to $6,000 per language per school, for up to 60 schools, for courses offered in critical languages;

(ii) up to $100 per student who completes a critical languages course; and

(iii) up to an additional $400 per foreign exchange student who completes a critical languages course.

(b) If the available funding is insufficient to provide the amounts described under Subsection (6)(a), the amounts provided shall be reduced pro rata so that the total provided does not exceed the available funding.

Amended by Chapter 63, 2014 General Session