SF 354 (LSB 2383XS (5) 88)

SENATE FILE 354

BY  COURNOYER

A BILL FOR

An Act requesting the establishment of an interim study committee to consider school district and accredited nonpublic school use of online learning technology as a means to meet minimum school day or school hour requirements when inclement weather causes schools to close. 
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  INTERIM STUDY COMMITTEE —— ONLINE LEARNING TECHNOLOGY —— INCLEMENT WEATHER SCHOOL CLOSURES.
   1.  The legislative council is requested to establish an interim study committee to consider and make recommendations relating to the feasibility of allowing school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to utilize online learning technology as a means to meet the minimum school day or school hour requirements when inclement weather causes school closures.
   2.  The study committee shall review and provide an analysis of the following:
   a.  School districts or accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa currently using online learning technology to provide instruction on days when inclement weather causes school closures.
   b.  Statewide policies and laws in other states relating to the use of online learning technology as a means to meet minimum school day or school hour requirements when inclement weather causes school closures.
   c.  Potential barriers to allowing instructional staff and students to engage in curriculum-aligned instructional and learning opportunities from home utilizing online learning technology and to allowing such use to meet the minimum school day or school hour requirements so school districts and accredited nonpublic schools can avoid extending the school calendar.
   d.  Options for overcoming the barriers identified under paragraph “c”.
   e.  Best practices for utilizing online instructional technology to meet minimum school day or school hour requirements when inclement weather causes school closures.
   3.  The study committee shall submit a report with its analysis, findings, and recommendations to the general assembly by December 20, 2019.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill requests the legislative council to establish an interim study committee to consider and make recommendations relating to the feasibility of allowing school districts and accredited nonpublic schools to utilize online learning technology as a means to meet the minimum school day or school hour requirements when inclement weather causes school closures.
   The study committee shall review and provide an analysis of how school districts or accredited nonpublic schools in Iowa are currently using such technology to provide instruction on days when inclement weather causes school closures; related policies and laws in other states; potential barriers to such use and the options for overcoming such barriers, and best practices for utilizing online instructional technology to meet minimum school day or school hour requirements when inclement weather causes school closures.
   The study committee shall submit a report with its analysis, findings, and recommendations to the general assembly by December 20, 2019.