Utah

The goal of the Utah AIM Project is to implement a system that ensures the provision of accessible instructional materials in a timely manner to students who require them. This goal will be met by:

developing a data management system to track student eligibility and to facilitate the ordering, distribution, and use of accessible instructional materials;
providing training for districts, state office staff, and parents to explain the law, discuss eligibility criteria, train IEP teams, and outline the process for using the Utah State Instructional Materials Access Center; and
producing brochures, videos, training materials, and a USIMAC website to ensure good communication throughout the state.

AIM State Project Directors

Project Administrator
Christine Timothy
Utah State Office of Education
250 East 500 South
Salt Lake City, UT 84114
801-538-7576
Christine.Timothy@schools.utah.gov

Project Director
Vali Kremer
Utah State Instructional Materials Access Center
Highland Park Plaza, Suite 103
3098 Highland Drive
Salt Lake City, UT 84106
801-464-2082

Textbook Acquisition

Utah is a hybrid state. Recent legislation, however, has placed some restrictions on school choice regarding instructional materials. The Utah Instructional Materials Commission oversees content area evaluation committees which meet to review each instructional material bid against the core standards and objectives and subject area rubrics . The review committees submit recommendations to the Commission which in turn makes a final recommendation to the State Board of Education on appropriate materials for Utah schools. Approved materials are then place on the Recommended Instructional Materials System (RIMS). http://delleat.schools.utah.gov/rims/index.html

As of 2007, schools need to purchase basal/core or Recommended Primary materials that have gone through an independent alignment to the Utah Core. Instructional materials listed on RIMS have been through an independent alignment.

Schools may still purchase materials not listed on the State RIMs list as long as they have been reviewed and approved by their local school board and have been through the independent alignment process. Further information is available at http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/IMC/default.htm

Policy Positions & Documents

Current Laws

Utah Special Education Rules
http://www.schools.utah.gov/sars/lawsregs/rules.htm

Instructional Materials Commission Operating Procedures
http://www.rules.utah.gov/publicat/code/r277/r277-469.htm

Title 53A Chapter 25a – Blind Persons’ Literacy Rights and Education Act
http://le.utah.gov/~code/TITLE53A/53A25a.htm

Proposed Laws

There are no laws currently under revision.

Coordinate with NIMAC?

Yes.

Definition of Timely Manner

The Utah Special Education Rules and Regulations state:

“For all purposes of this section, the USOE defines a “timely manner” as follows: the SEA and the LEAs must take reasonable steps to provide instructional materials in accessible formats to students with disabilities who need those instructional materials at the same time as other students receive instructional materials.”

Parent Information & Advocacy Resources

Utah Parent Resource Center
http://www.utahparentcenter.org/

Web Links

Utah State Office of Education
http://www.schools.utah.gov/

Utah Augmentative Alternative Assistive Communication and Technology Teams
http://www.usor.utah.gov:81/uaaact/

Utah Assistive Technology Program
http://www.uatpat.org/

Utah Schools for the Deaf and the Blind
http://www.usdb.org/

Utah Recommended Instructional Materials System
http://www.schools.utah.gov/curr/IMC/default.htm