(1) In accordance with Title 63G, Chapter 6a, Utah Procurement Code, the state board shall contract with an independent evaluator to annually evaluate a partnership that receives a grant under this part.

(2) The evaluation described in Subsection (1) shall: (a) assess implementation of a partnership, including the extent to which members of a partnership: (i) share data to align and improve efforts focused on student success; and (ii) meet regularly and communicate authentically; and (b) assess the impact of a partnership on student outcomes using appropriate statistical evaluation methods.

(a) assess implementation of a partnership, including the extent to which members of a partnership: (i) share data to align and improve efforts focused on student success; and (ii) meet regularly and communicate authentically; and

(i) share data to align and improve efforts focused on student success; and

(ii) meet regularly and communicate authentically; and

(b) assess the impact of a partnership on student outcomes using appropriate statistical evaluation methods.

(3) In identifying an independent evaluator under Subsection (1), the state board shall identify an evaluator that: (a) has a credible track record of conducting evaluations as described in Subsection (2); and (b) is independent of any member of the partnership and does not otherwise have a vested interest in the outcome of the evaluation.

(a) has a credible track record of conducting evaluations as described in Subsection (2); and

(b) is independent of any member of the partnership and does not otherwise have a vested interest in the outcome of the evaluation.

(4) Beginning in the 2017-18 school year, the state board shall ensure that the independent evaluator: (a) prepares an annual written report of an evaluation conducted under this section; and (b) submits the report in accordance with Section 53E-1-201.

(a) prepares an annual written report of an evaluation conducted under this section; and

(b) submits the report in accordance with Section 53E-1-201.