(1)As used in this section:
(1)(a) "Catalyst center" means a program or facility operated by an LEA that:
(1)(a)(i) provides learning experiences and instruction that replicate professional environments and workplace practices, including experiences obtained through the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310;
(1)(a)(ii) provides profession-based learning experiences by partnering with local industry, business, and community organizations to develop and implement student projects that address specific needs or objectives identified by those partners;
(1)(a)(iii) aligns programs with high-skill, high-demand career pathways and postsecondary education opportunities;
(1)(a)(iv) incorporates industry-standard tools, technologies, and methods into instruction and student
Free access — add to your briefcase to read the full text and ask questions with AI
(1) As used in this section:
(1)(a) "Catalyst center" means a program or facility operated by an LEA that:
(1)(a)(i) provides learning experiences and instruction that replicate professional environments and workplace practices, including experiences obtained through the Utah First Credential program described in Section 53E-10-310;
(1)(a)(ii) provides profession-based learning experiences by partnering with local industry, business, and community organizations to develop and implement student projects that address specific needs or objectives identified by those partners;
(1)(a)(iii) aligns programs with high-skill, high-demand career pathways and postsecondary education opportunities;
(1)(a)(iv) incorporates industry-standard tools, technologies, and methods into instruction and student work;
(1)(a)(v) prioritizes student activities and profession-based learning projects to build durable professional skills aligned with industry standards and needs;
(1)(a)(vi) facilitates mentorship and participation by industry professionals to guide a student and evaluate the student's work;
(1)(a)(vii) includes an advisory board composed of industry, postsecondary, and community representatives to review program direction and ensure alignment with workforce needs; and
(1)(a)(viii) establishes programs or activities that address gaps in training or resources within the local or regional workforce.
(1)(b) "Director" means the employee described in Subsection (3).
(1)(c) "LEA" means:
(1)(c)(i) a school district;
(1)(c)(ii) charter school; or
(1)(c)(iii) the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind.
(1)(d) "Program" means the Catalyst Center Grant Program created in this section.
(2) Subject to legislative appropriation as described in Section 53F-9-204, the state board shall establish the Catalyst Center Grant Program to provide funding to an LEA to create or expand an existing catalyst center.
(3) The state board shall hire a director to oversee the program who:
(3)(a) has demonstrated abilities in:
(3)(a)(i) developing and implementing innovative initiatives that transform traditional education delivery models;
(3)(a)(ii) establishing public-private partnership frameworks that create student pathways into high-growth industries; and
(3)(a)(iii) scaling programs that integrate real-world experiences directly into educational environments;
(3)(b) possesses expertise in:
(3)(b)(i) managing complex multi-stakeholder initiatives across education, industry, and government sectors;
(3)(b)(ii) implementing data-driven organizational change strategies; and
(3)(b)(iii) developing sustainable funding models for innovative education programs;
(3)(c) maintains active leadership roles in:
(3)(c)(i) state or national workforce innovation organizations;
(3)(c)(ii) industry associations focused on talent development; and
(3)(c)(iii) public-private collaboratives addressing workforce transformation;
(3)(d) reports directly to the state superintendent or a deputy superintendent to ensure appropriate program oversight and cross-departmental coordination while maintaining distinct program objectives and outcomes;
(3)(e) establishes formal collaboration mechanisms with the state board's career and technical education director to align catalyst center initiatives with existing career and technical education programs; and
(3)(f) facilitates training and a collaborative network of experienced catalyst center administrators and instructors across all participating LEAs.
(4) The director:
(4)(a) shall:
(4)(a)(i) administer the program;
(4)(a)(ii) collaborate with the director of career and technical education to align the program with the career and technical education standards described in Section 53E-3-507;
(4)(a)(iii) create a web-based application system to streamline submissions and allow for linked supporting documentation;
(4)(a)(iv) ensure that grant funds are used in accordance with this section; and
(4)(a)(v) allow grant funds to be used for planning, including:
(4)(a)(v)(A) feasibility studies;
(4)(a)(v)(B) stakeholder engagement;
(4)(a)(v)(C) labor market analysis;
(4)(a)(v)(D) initial program design and rollout; and
(4)(a)(v)(E) teacher and staff training specific to the delivery of profession-based learning; and
(4)(b) may collaborate with the Utah System of Higher Education and the First Credential Oversight Committee established in Section 53E-10-310.
(5) An LEA applying for a grant shall demonstrate capacity for workforce alignment programs within the LEA or provide a plan to establish or enhance alignment by:
(5)(a) describing current or planned efforts to align programming with labor market needs and local industry demands;
(5)(b) outlining steps to establish or enhance partnerships with:
(5)(b)(i) local industries and employers to ensure workforce relevance; or
(5)(b)(ii) technical colleges, degree-granting institutions, or other postsecondary entities to support postsecondary transitions for students;
(5)(c) identifying proposed programming goals and how the goals address gaps in regional workforce training or opportunities; and
(5)(d) as the LEA determines relevant, planning to incorporate:
(5)(d)(i) career and technical student organizations;
(5)(d)(ii) advisory boards with representation from local industries and workforce experts;
(5)(d)(iii) professional learning opportunities for instructors to improve workforce-focused skills; and
(5)(d)(iv) strategies for using labor market data to refine and improve program offerings.
(6) (6)(a) An LEA may apply for a grant by submitting an application to the state board.
(6)(b) The application shall include:
(6)(b)(i) a plan to:
(6)(b)(i)(A) create or expand one or more catalyst centers; or
(6)(b)(i)(B) create or expand current career and technical education offerings within the LEA to bring the LEA's career and technical education offerings in alignment with the definition of a catalyst center in Subsection (1);
(6)(b)(ii) a detailed multi-year budget, identifying proposed expenditures for each year of the grant;
(6)(b)(iii) justification for any capital expenditures, including plans for building use;
(6)(b)(iv) a description of how the grant will be used to improve student outcomes, including:
(6)(b)(iv)(A) increased access to career pathway offerings;
(6)(b)(iv)(B) measurable improvements in career readiness, including certifications, credentials, or apprenticeships;
(6)(b)(iv)(C) increased offerings that advance students' progression toward postsecondary education or advanced training; and
(6)(b)(iv)(D) plans for enhanced student engagement through real-world, profession-based learning;
(6)(b)(v) evidence of any existing partnerships with industry, including letters of collaboration;
(6)(b)(vi) evidence of alignment with the LEA's strategic plan and local labor market needs;
(6)(b)(vii) an explanation of how awarded funds will be used without unnecessary carryforward;
(6)(b)(viii) as applicable, a description of how the catalyst center programming will align with or enhance programs funded by the weighted pupil unit add-on described in Section 53F-2-311;
(6)(b)(ix) for applications submitted by a consortium of LEAs, a description of how:
(6)(b)(ix)(A) the catalyst center will serve students across the consortium;
(6)(b)(ix)(B) costs and resources will be shared; and
(6)(b)(ix)(C) economies of scale will be achieved; and
(6)(b)(x) a description of any proposed planning activities, including expected timelines and outcomes.
(7) The director shall:
(7)(a) prioritize an LEA that:
(7)(a)(i) proposes innovative programming supported by local labor market data;
(7)(a)(ii) collaborates with local postsecondary institutions and industry;
(7)(a)(iii) demonstrates the ability to sustain the catalyst center after the grant period;
(7)(a)(iv) demonstrates a strong focus on student outcomes and workforce alignment;
(7)(a)(v) addresses gaps in high-demand, high-skill career pathways;
(7)(a)(vi) ensures funds are used to enhance programming quality before expansion; and
(7)(a)(vii) provides for a large number of students to participate in catalyst center programs without limiting participation to students based on socio-economic challenges;
(7)(b) allow an LEA to apply for:
(7)(b)(i) smaller grants to bring existing career and technical education programs to high-quality standards the state board establishes;
(7)(b)(ii) larger multi-year grants for capital expenditures and program expansion; and
(7)(b)(iii) ensure that grant funding does not duplicate existing resources provided by other state or local entities;
(7)(c) consider the unique challenges and opportunities faced by rural LEAs in developing and sustaining a career and technical education program or catalyst center, including:
(7)(c)(i) encouraging collaborative applications from rural consortia or regional education service agencies described in Section 53G-4-410 to maximize resources and impact; and
(7)(c)(ii) grant awards that consider both rural and non-rural applicants, recognizing regional workforce needs and program readiness; and
(7)(d) allow an LEA to propose a catalyst center collocated on the campus of an institution of higher education if the application includes evidence of an agreement between the LEA and the institution of higher education.
(8) (8)(a) An LEA that receives a grant:
(8)(a)(i) may coordinate and collaborate with the Utah Board of Higher Education or an individual institution of higher education; and
(8)(a)(ii) shall submit an annual report to the state board.
(8)(b) The report shall include:
(8)(b)(i) the use of grant funds;
(8)(b)(ii) progress in meeting proposed goals and benchmarks;
(8)(b)(iii) updates on partnerships with industry and postsecondary institutions;
(8)(b)(iv) a demonstration of the alignment of programming with labor market data; and
(8)(b)(v) a description of student participation and outcomes.
(8)(c) The state board shall ensure that awarded funds:
(8)(c)(i) are used in accordance with an LEA's application; and
(8)(c)(ii) that are not used are returned for reallocation.
(8)(d) Upon request, the director shall submit a report on the program to the Education Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee.
(9) The Talent Ready Utah Program described in Section 53H-13-303 and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education established in Section 53E-10-702, shall collaborate with the state board to develop and execute a marketing and outreach plan for the Catalyst Center Grant Program.
(10) Talent Ready Utah and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education shall:
(10)(a) execute the marketing and outreach plan described in Subsection (9); and
(10)(b) submit an annual report to the state board that includes:
(10)(b)(i) the number of LEAs reached through marketing efforts;
(10)(b)(ii) a description of outreach activities and events conducted; and
(10)(b)(iii) feedback from LEAs regarding program accessibility and clarity.
(11) The state board:
(11)(a) may provide up to 1% of the funds appropriated by the Legislature as described in Section 53F-9-204 to administer the program;
(11)(b) in fiscal year 2026, shall provide up to 1% of the funds appropriated by the Legislature as described in Section 53F-9-204 to Talent Ready Utah and the Utah Leading through Effective, Actionable, and Dynamic Education for the purposes described in Subsections (9) and (10); and
(11)(c) shall make rules in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, to implement this Subsection (11).