Local Education Agency (LEA)
A local public school district or charter school responsible for implementing educational policies.
How the laws define this
Both instruments agree that a Local Education Agency encompasses local school districts or other local public education entities operating at the local level. However, the descriptions diverge regarding specific institutional examples and explicit policy duties. Under the Classroom Technology Amendments, which cites HB 273, the term explicitly includes charter schools alongside an individual school district and imposes a mandate to adopt or develop policies for classroom technology and AI use that align with or exceed standards set by the Utah State Board of Education. By contrast, the S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments focuses more broadly on entities responsible for implementing educational policies and practices at the local level, without explicitly mentioning charter schools or imposing specific mandates regarding technology and AI policy adoption.
Synthesised from the 2 statutory definitions below. Each one is quoted in full, with its source.
How jurisdictions differ
What is distinctive in each definition, binding law in force first.
| Jurisdiction | Instrument | Status | What is distinctive |
|---|---|---|---|
| Utah, United States | S.B. 267 Software in Education Amendments | In Force | Includes 'other public education entities' beyond school districts, broadening the scope compared to the one-line definition's focus on districts or charter schools. |
| Utah, United States | Classroom Technology Amendments | Awaiting Entry | Explicitly identifies LEAs as individual school districts, charter schools, or other local public education entities, and specifies their mandate to adopt AI and technology policies. |
What it triggers
- In Utah under S.B. 267, LEAs are the subject of a mandated study by the State Board of Education on software and digital services in public schools.
- Under Utah HB 273, LEAs must adopt or develop policies for classroom technology and AI use, aligning with or exceeding standards set by the Utah State Board of Education.
Definitions (2)
A Local Education Agency (LEA) refers to an individual school district, charter school, or other local public education entity. Under HB 273, LEAs are mandated to adopt or develop their own policies for classroom technology and AI use, aligning with or exceeding the standards set by the Utah State Board of Education.
Local school districts or other public education entities responsible for implementing educational policies and practices at the local level.
Questions and answers
What obligations do LEAs have under Utah S.B. 267?
Utah S.B. 267 mandates a study by the State Board of Education on software and digital services in public schools to establish best practices for student learning, safety, and privacy, with LEAs as local school districts or other public education entities.
What must LEAs do regarding classroom technology under Utah HB 273?
LEAs, defined as individual school districts, charter schools, or other local public education entities, must adopt or develop their own policies for classroom technology and AI use. These policies must align with or exceed the standards set by the Utah State Board of Education.
How do the definitions of LEA differ between Utah S.B. 267 and HB 273?
S.B. 267 defines LEAs as local school districts or other public education entities responsible for implementing policies and practices. HB 273 specifies LEAs as individual school districts, charter schools, or other local public education entities mandated to adopt technology and AI policies.