Utah public schools receive revised funding and reporting rules

The Legislature provides additional public-education funding and fund transfers. The funding covers Utah public schools, the state board, education programs, the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind, and related education activities. Spending remains subject to the listed program purposes, restrictions, and budget laws. Some amounts are one-time funds, federal funds, transfers, or fiduciary funds rather than general operating money. The bill provides additions for fiscal year 2026, which runs through June 30, 2026, and fiscal year 2027, which runs from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027.

The state board may distribute weighted pupil units, which are funding measures used for schools, for college and career counseling. Eligible local education agencies may receive funding for the first 400 students and for additional students up to 1,200 students. Funding is subject to legislative appropriations. An agency must have a college and career readiness plan, an approved student success framework, and a counselor-to-student ratio set by the state board. The agency must use the money for college and career counseling and readiness services. The provision takes effect July 1, 2026, and uses the previous fiscal year's October 1 enrollment count to calculate funding.

The state board must establish student and personnel data standards for the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The standards apply to student and personnel information at the Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind. The standards must make data comparable with similar public-education data and support accurate, timely reports. The state board must use a centralized data system where practical, reconcile data sources, and require benchmarks and assessment comparisons in the annual report. The requirement takes effect July 1, 2026, and the state board must report on implementation to the Public Education Appropriations Subcommittee by August 15, 2026.