Text: SF00400 Text: SF00402 Text: SF00400 - SF00499 Text: SF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. COLLEGE STUDENT AID COMMISSION. There is 1 2 appropriated from the general fund of the state to the college 1 3 student aid commission for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1 4 1999, and ending June 30, 2000, the following amount, or so 1 5 much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purpose 1 6 designated: 1 7 For the teacher shortage area forgivable loan program as 1 8 provided in section 261.114: 1 9 .................................................. $ 250,000 1 10 Sec. 2. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. There is appropriated 1 11 from the general fund of the state to the department of 1 12 education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1999, and 1 13 ending June 30, 2000, the following amount, or so much thereof 1 14 as is necessary, to be used for the purpose designated: 1 15 For the beginning teacher induction program as provided in 1 16 chapter 256E: 1 17 .................................................. $ 300,000 1 18 Notwithstanding section 8.33, moneys appropriated in this 1 19 section that remain unencumbered or unobligated at the close 1 20 of the fiscal year shall not revert but shall remain available 1 21 for expenditure for the purposes designated until the close of 1 22 the succeeding fiscal year. 1 23 Sec. 3. Section 256.9, Code 1999, is amended by adding the 1 24 following new subsection: 1 25 NEW SUBSECTION. 49. Conduct an ongoing study, in 1 26 consultation with the board of educational examiners, to 1 27 enable the director to project future teacher and endorsement 1 28 shortage areas. 1 29 Sec. 4. Section 256.16, Code 1999, is amended to read as 1 30 follows: 1 31 256.16 SPECIFIC CRITERIA FOR TEACHER PREPARATION AND 1 32 CERTAIN EDUCATORS. 1 33 1. Pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 5, the state 1 34 board shall adopt rules requiring all higher education 1 35 institutions providing practitioner preparation toincludedo 2 1 the following: 2 2 a. Administer a basic skills test to practitioner 2 3 preparation program admission candidates. Rules adopted shall 2 4 require institutions to deny admission to the program to any 2 5 candidate who does not successfully pass the test. 2 6 b. Include in the professional education program, 2 7 preparation that contributes to education of students with 2 8 disabilities and students who are gifted and talented, which 2 9 must be successfully completed before graduation from the 2 10 practitioner preparation program. 2 11 2. A person initially applying for a license shall 2 12 successfully complete a professional education program 2 13 containing the subject matter specified in this section, 2 14 before the initial action by the board of educational 2 15 examiners takes place. 2 16 Sec. 5. NEW SECTION. 256E.1 DEFINITIONS. 2 17 As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise 2 18 requires: 2 19 1. "Beginning teacher" means an individual serving under 2 20 an initial provisional or conditional license, issued by the 2 21 board of educational examiners under chapter 272, who is 2 22 assuming a position as a classroom teacher. 2 23 2. "Board" means the board of directors of a school 2 24 district or a collaboration of boards of directors of school 2 25 districts. 2 26 3. "Classroom teacher" means an individual who holds a 2 27 valid practitioner's license and who is under a teaching 2 28 contract with a school district or area education agency in 2 29 this state to provide classroom instruction to students. 2 30 4. "Department" means the department of education. 2 31 5. "Director" means the director of the department of 2 32 education. 2 33 6. "District facilitator" means a licensed professional 2 34 pursuant to chapter 272 who is appointed by a board to serve 2 35 as the liaison between the board and the department for the 3 1 beginning teacher induction program. 3 2 7. "Mentor" means an individual employed by a school 3 3 district or area education agency as a classroom teacher who 3 4 holds a valid license to teach issued under chapter 272. The 3 5 individual must have a record of four years of successful 3 6 teaching practice, must be employed as a classroom teacher on 3 7 a nonprobationary basis, and must demonstrate professional 3 8 commitment to the improvement of teaching and learning, and 3 9 the development of beginning teachers. 3 10 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 256E.2 BEGINNING TEACHER INDUCTION 3 11 PROGRAM ESTABLISHED – GRANTS. 3 12 1. If the general assembly appropriates moneys for 3 13 purposes of teacher induction, the department of education 3 14 shall coordinate a beginning teacher induction program to 3 15 promote excellence in teaching, build a supportive environment 3 16 within school districts, increase the retention of promising 3 17 beginning teachers, and promote the personal and professional 3 18 well-being of teachers. 3 19 2. The department shall adopt rules concerning the grant 3 20 application and award process, including reasonable cost 3 21 estimates for beginning teacher induction programs. The 3 22 department may disapprove a plan submitted by a board if the 3 23 plan does not meet the minimum criteria set forth in section 3 24 256E.3, subsection 2, or the plan exceeds the reasonable costs 3 25 as determined by the department. If the cost estimates 3 26 submitted by a board exceed reasonable cost estimates as 3 27 determined by the department, the department shall work with 3 28 the board to identify measures for reducing plan costs. If 3 29 the department determines that moneys appropriated by the 3 30 general assembly are insufficient to meet the grant requests 3 31 for all approved beginning teacher induction program plans, 3 32 the department shall award grants based on the geographic 3 33 location and district population of the school districts with 3 34 approved plans. Grants may be awarded in subsequent years 3 35 based upon the most recent plan on file with the department. 4 1 It is the intent of the general assembly that the department 4 2 approve plans that incorporate local innovation and take into 4 3 consideration local needs. 4 4 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION. 256E.3 DISTRICT FACILITATOR AND 4 5 PLAN. 4 6 1. An area education agency shall prepare a model 4 7 beginning teacher induction program plan and shall provide the 4 8 model plan to each school district within its area. The plan 4 9 shall include a model evaluation component by which a school 4 10 district may measure the effectiveness of its program. Any 4 11 modifications to the model plan shall be submitted to school 4 12 districts as soon as practical. A board that wishes to 4 13 participate in the program shall adopt a beginning teacher 4 14 induction program plan and written procedures for the program, 4 15 and may use, alter, or revise the model plan provided by the 4 16 area education agency at the board's discretion. 4 17 2. A board that wishes to participate in the beginning 4 18 teacher induction program shall appoint a district 4 19 facilitator, whose duties shall include, but are not limited 4 20 to, overseeing the implementation of a plan for meeting the 4 21 goals of the program as set forth in section 256E.2. The plan 4 22 shall, at a minimum, provide the process for the selection of 4 23 and the number of mentors; the mentor training process; the 4 24 timetable by which the plan shall be implemented; placement of 4 25 mentors and beginning teachers; the minimum amount of contact 4 26 time between mentors and beginning teachers; the minimum 4 27 amount of release time for mentors and beginning teachers for 4 28 meetings for planning, demonstration, observation, feedback, 4 29 and workshops; the process for dissolving mentor and beginning 4 30 teacher partnerships; and the process for measuring the 4 31 results of the program. 4 32 3. The district facilitator shall submit the plan, and the 4 33 proposed costs of implementing the plan, to the board, which 4 34 shall consider the plan and, once approved, submit the plan 4 35 and a reasonable cost proposal to the department of education. 5 1 4. The district facilitator is encouraged to work with 5 2 area education agencies and postsecondary institutions in the 5 3 preparation and implementation of a plan. 5 4 5. The district facilitator shall place beginning teachers 5 5 participating in the program in a manner that provides the 5 6 greatest opportunity to work with the largest number of 5 7 mentors. 5 8 Sec. 8. NEW SECTION. 256E.4 BEGINNING TEACHER INDUCTION 5 9 STATE SUBSIDY – FUND. 5 10 1. A mentor in a beginning teacher induction program 5 11 approved under this chapter shall be eligible for an award of 5 12 five hundred dollars per semester, at a minimum, for 5 13 participation in the program, which shall be paid from moneys 5 14 received pursuant to this chapter by the school district 5 15 participating in the program in accordance with this chapter. 5 16 2. Moneys received by a school district pursuant to this 5 17 chapter shall be expended to provide mentors with awards in 5 18 accordance with subsection 1, to implement the plan, to 5 19 provide for a stipend for the district facilitator, and to pay 5 20 any applicable costs of the employer's share of contributions 5 21 to federal social security and the Iowa public employees' 5 22 retirement system or a pension and annuity retirement system 5 23 established under chapter 294, for such amounts paid by the 5 24 district. 5 25 3. Moneys received by a school district under this chapter 5 26 are miscellaneous income for purposes of chapter 257 or are 5 27 considered encumbered. A school district shall maintain a 5 28 separate listing within its budget for payments received and 5 29 expenditures made pursuant to this section. 5 30 4. A beginning teacher induction fund is established in 5 31 the office of the treasurer of state to be administered by the 5 32 department. Moneys appropriated by the general assembly for 5 33 deposit in the fund shall be used to provide funding to school 5 34 districts pursuant to this section. 5 35 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION. 256E.5 REPORTS. 6 1 The board implementing an approved beginning teacher 6 2 induction program as provided in this chapter shall submit an 6 3 assessment of the program's results by July 1 of the fiscal 6 4 year succeeding the year in which the school district received 6 5 moneys under this chapter. The department shall annually 6 6 report the statewide results of the program to the 6 7 chairpersons and the ranking members of the senate and house 6 8 education committees by January 1. 6 9 Sec. 10. NEW SECTION. 261.114 TEACHER SHORTAGE AREA 6 10 FORGIVABLE LOAN PROGRAM. 6 11 1. Subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the 6 12 general assembly, a teacher shortage area forgivable loan 6 13 program is established to be administered by the college 6 14 student aid commission. An individual is eligible for the 6 15 forgivable loan program if the individual is a resident of 6 16 this state who is enrolled in an approved practitioner 6 17 preparation program or an approved graduate practitioner 6 18 preparation program in a designated area in which teacher 6 19 shortages are anticipated, at an institution of higher 6 20 learning under the control of the state board of regents, or 6 21 an accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9. 6 22 2. The director of the department of education shall 6 23 annually designate the areas in which teacher shortages are 6 24 anticipated. 6 25 3. Each applicant shall, in accordance with the rules of 6 26 the commission, do the following: 6 27 a. Complete and file an application for a teacher shortage 6 28 area forgivable loan. The individual shall be responsible for 6 29 the submission of any financial information as required by the 6 30 commission. 6 31 b. Report promptly to the commission any information 6 32 requested. 6 33 c. File a new application and any financial information as 6 34 required by the commission annually on the basis of which the 6 35 applicant's eligibility for the renewed forgivable loan will 7 1 be evaluated and determined. 7 2 4. Forgivable loans to eligible students shall not become 7 3 due until after the student graduates or leaves school. The 7 4 individual's total loan amount, including principal and 7 5 interest, shall be reduced by twenty percent for each year in 7 6 which the individual remains an Iowa resident and is employed 7 7 by a school district or an accredited nonpublic school as a 7 8 practitioner in the area for which the loan was approved. If 7 9 the commission determines that the person does not meet the 7 10 criteria for forgiveness of the principal and interest 7 11 payments, the commission shall establish a plan for repayment 7 12 of the principal and interest over a ten-year period. If a 7 13 person required to make the repayment does not make the 7 14 required payments, the commission shall provide for payment 7 15 collection. Rules adopted by the commission for the 7 16 administration of this program shall provide for payment 7 17 postponement for individuals experiencing temporary hardship. 7 18 5. The amount of a teacher shortage area forgivable loan 7 19 shall not exceed three thousand dollars annually, or the 7 20 amount of the student's established financial need, whichever 7 21 is less. 7 22 6. The interest rate for the forgivable loan shall be 7 23 equal to the interest rate collected by an eligible lender 7 24 under the Iowa guaranteed student loan program for the year in 7 25 which the forgivable loan is made. 7 26 7. A teacher shortage area forgivable loan repayment fund 7 27 is created for deposit of payments made by forgivable loan 7 28 recipients who do not fulfill the conditions of the forgivable 7 29 loan program and any other moneys appropriated to or received 7 30 by the commission for deposit in the fund. Notwithstanding 7 31 section 8.33, moneys deposited in the fund shall not revert to 7 32 the general fund of the state at the end of any fiscal year 7 33 but shall remain in the forgivable loan repayment fund and be 7 34 continuously available to make additional loans under the 7 35 program. Notwithstanding section 12C.7, subsection 2, 8 1 interest or earnings on moneys deposited in the fund shall be 8 2 credited to the fund. 8 3 8. For purposes of this section, unless the context 8 4 otherwise requires, "teacher" means the same as defined in 8 5 section 272.1. 8 6 Sec. 11. Section 272.2, Code 1999, is amended by adding 8 7 the following new subsection: 8 8 NEW SUBSECTION. 16. Develop or identify assessments 8 9 appropriate to content areas of specialization, which the 8 10 board shall administer to candidates prior to initial Iowa 8 11 licensure. The board shall issue a license only to a 8 12 candidate who successfully passes an assessment appropriate to 8 13 the candidate's content area of specialization. 8 14 Sec. 12. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION STUDY. The director of 8 15 the department of education shall appoint a task force to 8 16 study the issues and feasibility of establishing a volunteer 8 17 program to encourage retired teachers and administrators to 8 18 return to education as mentors and aids in school districts. 8 19 The chairperson of the task force shall be the director of the 8 20 department of education, or the director's designee. The task 8 21 force shall report its findings and recommendations to the 8 22 chairpersons and the ranking members of the senate and house 8 23 standing committees on education by January 15, 2000. 8 24 Sec. 13. BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS REPORT. The board 8 25 of educational examiners shall analyze the content area of 8 26 specialization assessment results administered prior to 8 27 initial Iowa licensure and shall develop and recommend 8 28 policies relating to initial Iowa licensure candidates who do 8 29 not successfully pass the assessment. The board shall submit 8 30 its analysis and recommendations in a report to the senate and 8 31 house standing committees on education by January 15, 2001. 8 32 Sec. 14. EMERGENCY RULES. The department of education may 8 33 adopt emergency rules under section 17A.4, subsection 2, and 8 34 section 17A.5, subsection 2, paragraph "b", to implement the 8 35 provisions of this Act and the rules shall be effective 9 1 immediately upon filing unless a later date is specified in 9 2 the rules. Any rules adopted in accordance with this section 9 3 shall also be published as a notice of intended action as 9 4 provided in section 17A.4. 9 5 EXPLANATION 9 6 This bill provides an appropriation of $300,000 to the 9 7 department of education for fiscal year 1999-2000, for a 9 8 program that provides support for beginning teachers, creates 9 9 new opportunities for experienced teachers to act as mentors, 9 10 appropriates $250,000 for fiscal year 1999-2000 to provide for 9 11 loan forgiveness to individuals who stay in the state to teach 9 12 in teacher shortage areas, requires that students and 9 13 graduates be tested prior to entering practitioner preparation 9 14 programs and prior to initial licensure as teachers, directs 9 15 the department of education to study the feasibility of 9 16 establishing a volunteer program to encourage retired teachers 9 17 and administrators to return to education as mentors and aides 9 18 in school districts, and requires the board of educational 9 19 examiners to analyze the content areas of specialization 9 20 assessment results and develop and recommend policies relating 9 21 to initial Iowa licensure candidates who do not successfully 9 22 pass the assessment. The bill is divided into the following 9 23 components: 9 24 Code section 256.9, subsection 49: Increases the duties of 9 25 the director of education by requiring the director to conduct 9 26 an ongoing study, in consultation with the board of 9 27 educational examiners, to enable the director to project 9 28 future teacher shortage areas. 9 29 Code section 256.16: Requires the state board of education 9 30 to adopt rules requiring all higher education institutions 9 31 providing practitioner preparation to administer a basic 9 32 skills test to practitioner preparation program admission 9 33 candidates. The bill also requires that institutions deny 9 34 admission to the program to any candidate who does not 9 35 successfully pass the test. 10 1 Code chapter 256E: Directs the department of education to 10 2 coordinate a beginning teacher induction program to promote 10 3 excellence in teaching, build a supportive environment in 10 4 school districts, increase the retention of promising 10 5 beginning teachers, and promote the personal and professional 10 6 well-being of teachers. The bill also directs the department 10 7 of education to develop a process to be used in awarding 10 8 beginning teacher grants. 10 9 The bill requires a school district participating in the 10 10 program to appoint a district facilitator whose duties include 10 11 overseeing the development of a plan for meeting program 10 12 goals. Area education agencies are directed to prepare a 10 13 model program plan that includes an evaluation component, for 10 14 school districts. School districts wishing to participate in 10 15 the program shall adopt a plan and may use, alter, or revise 10 16 the model provided by the area education agency. 10 17 The board of directors shall submit the plan and a cost 10 18 proposal to the department, which shall award grants to school 10 19 districts based upon geographic location and district 10 20 population. The bill also requires that a licensed teacher, 10 21 to be eligible to be a mentor, be employed by a school 10 22 district or area education agency as a classroom teacher, have 10 23 a record of at least four years of effective practice, have 10 24 been employed for one full year as a classroom teacher on a 10 25 nonprobationary basis, and demonstrate professional commitment 10 26 to the improvement of teaching and learning, and the 10 27 development of beginning teachers. 10 28 A teacher serving as a mentor under the program is eligible 10 29 for an award of $500 per semester of participation. Under the 10 30 bill, a school district shall expend program moneys to 10 31 implement a beginning teacher induction plan, for awards to 10 32 mentors, and to pay a stipend to a district facilitator and 10 33 any applicable costs of the employer's share of contributions 10 34 to federal social security and the Iowa public employees' 10 35 retirement system or a pension and annuity retirement system 11 1 established under Code chapter 294, for such amounts paid by 11 2 the districts. The bill establishes a beginning teacher 11 3 induction fund in the office of the treasurer of state to be 11 4 administered by the department of education. 11 5 Code section 261.114: Establishes a teacher shortage area 11 6 forgivable loan program to be administered by the college 11 7 student aid commission. The program will be available to Iowa 11 8 residents who are enrolled in approved practitioner 11 9 preparation programs in a designated area in which teacher 11 10 shortages are anticipated, at a regents university or an 11 11 accredited private institution. The bill requires the 11 12 director of the department of education to annually designate 11 13 the areas in which teacher shortages are anticipated. 11 14 Forgivable loans to eligible students shall not become due 11 15 until after the student graduates or leaves school. The 11 16 individual's total loan amount, including principal and 11 17 interest, shall be reduced by 20 percent for each year in 11 18 which the individual remains an Iowa resident and is employed 11 19 by a school district or an accredited nonpublic school as a 11 20 teacher in the area for which the loan was approved. If the 11 21 commission determines that the person does not meet the 11 22 criteria for forgiveness of the principal and interest 11 23 payments, the commission shall establish a plan for repayment 11 24 of the principal and interest over a 10-year period. If a 11 25 person required to make the repayment does not make the 11 26 required payments, the commission shall provide for payment 11 27 collection. 11 28 The amount of a teacher shortage area forgivable loan shall 11 29 not exceed $3,000 annually, or the amount of the student's 11 30 established financial need, whichever is less. The interest 11 31 rate for the forgivable loan shall be equal to the interest 11 32 rate collected by an eligible lender under the Iowa guaranteed 11 33 student loan program for the year in which the forgivable loan 11 34 is made. A teacher shortage area forgivable loan repayment 11 35 fund is created for deposit of payments made by forgivable 12 1 loan recipients who do not fulfill the conditions of the 12 2 forgivable loan program. Moneys deposited in the forgivable 12 3 loan repayment fund shall not revert to the general fund of 12 4 the state at the end of any fiscal year. 12 5 Code section 272.2: Directs the board of educational 12 6 examiners to develop or identify assessments appropriate to 12 7 content areas of specialization, which the board shall 12 8 administer to candidates prior to initial Iowa licensure. 12 9 Under the bill, the board can issue a license only to 12 10 candidates who successfully pass an assessment appropriate to 12 11 their content area of specialization. 12 12 DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TASK FORCE: Requires the director 12 13 of the department of education to appoint a task force to 12 14 study the issues and feasibility of establishing a volunteer 12 15 program to encourage retired teachers and administrators to 12 16 return to education as mentors and aides in school districts. 12 17 The task force is to report its findings and recommendations 12 18 to the chairpersons and the ranking members of the senate and 12 19 house standing committees on education by January 15, 2000. 12 20 BOARD OF EDUCATIONAL EXAMINERS REPORT: Requires the board 12 21 of educational examiners to analyze the content area of 12 22 specialization assessment results administered prior to 12 23 initial Iowa licensure and to develop and recommend policies 12 24 relating to initial Iowa licensure candidates who do not 12 25 successfully pass the assessment. The board must submit its 12 26 analysis and recommendations in a report to the senate and 12 27 house standing committees on education by January 15, 2001. 12 28 LSB 2287XS 78 12 29 kh/jw/5
Text: SF00400 Text: SF00402 Text: SF00400 - SF00499 Text: SF Index Bills and Amendments: General Index Bill History: General Index
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