§ 53F-2-502 — Dual language immersion.

(1) As used in this section:
(1)(a) "Dual language immersion" means an instructional setting in which a student receives a portion of instruction in English and a portion of instruction exclusively in a partner language.
(1)(b) "Local education agency" or "LEA" means a school district or a charter school.
(1)(c) "Participating LEA" means an LEA selected by the state board to receive a grant described in this section.
(1)(d) "Partner language" means a language other than English in which instruction is provided in dual language immersion.
(1)(e) "Restricted foreign entity" means the same as that term is defined in Section 53H-8-501.
(2) The state board shall:
(2)(a) establish a dual language immersion program;
(2)(b) in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 3, Utah Administrative Rulemaking Act, make rules that establish:
(2)(b)(i) a grant program for an LEA to receive funding for dual language immersion;
(2)(b)(ii) the required qualifications for an LEA to be a participating LEA;
(2)(b)(iii) subject to this section, requirements of a participating LEA;
(2)(b)(iv) a proficiency assessment for each partner language; and
(2)(b)(v) a progression of how a school in a participating LEA adds grade levels in which the school offers dual language immersion; and
(2)(c) subject to legislative appropriations:
(2)(c)(i) select participating LEAs; and
(2)(c)(ii) award to a participating LEA a grant to support dual language immersion in the LEA.
(3) A participating LEA shall:
(3)(a) establish in a school a full-day dual language immersion instructional model that provides at least 50% of instruction exclusively in a partner language;
(3)(b) in accordance with the state board rules described in Subsection (2)(b), add grades in which dual language immersion is provided in a school; and
(3)(c) annually administer to each student in grades 3 through 8 who participates in dual language immersion an assessment described in Subsection (2)(b)(iv).
(4) The state board shall:
(4)(a) provide support to a participating LEA, including by:
(4)(a)(i) offering professional learning for dual language immersion educators;
(4)(a)(ii) developing curriculum related to dual language immersion; or
(4)(a)(iii) providing instructional support for a partner language;
(4)(b) conduct a program evaluation of the dual language immersion program established under Subsection (2)(a); and
(4)(c) on or before November 1, 2019, report to the Education Interim Committee and the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee on the results of the program evaluation described in Subsection (4)(b).
(5) The state board may, in accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, contract with a third party to conduct the program evaluation described in Subsection (4)(b).
(6) Regardless of whether an LEA is a participating LEA or provides language instruction through another method, beginning July 1, 2024, an LEA may not seek or accept funding support from a restricted foreign entity or an entity that passes on funding support from a restricted foreign entity.
(7) Subject to budget constraints, in addition to the base increases described in Section 53F-2-208, the Legislature shall annually increase the money appropriated for dual language immersion in proportion to the percentage increase over the previous school year in the value of the weighted pupil unit.

Legislative History

Amended by Chapter 9, 2025 Special Session 1