Senate File 2284 H-8458 Amend Senate File 2284, as amended, passed, and 1 reprinted by the Senate, as follows: 2 1. By striking everything after the enacting clause 3 and inserting: 4 < DIVISION I 5 COMPETENCY-BASED INSTRUCTION 6 Section 1. Section 256.7, subsection 26, paragraph 7 a, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the 8 following new subparagraph: 9 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (02) The rules shall allow a 10 school district or accredited nonpublic school to award 11 high school credit to a student upon the demonstration 12 of required competencies for a course or content area, 13 as approved by an appropriately licensed teacher. The 14 school district or accredited nonpublic school shall 15 determine the assessment methods by which a student 16 demonstrates sufficient evidence of the required 17 competencies. 18 Sec. 2. COMPETENCY-BASED INSTRUCTION TASK FORCE. 19 1. The superintendents of the school districts 20 that have been approved by the department of education 21 to implement competency-based instruction shall 22 appoint a task force to conduct a study regarding 23 competency-based instruction standards and options 24 and the integration of competency-based instruction 25 with the Iowa core curriculum, and to develop related 26 assessment models and professional development focused 27 on competency-based instruction. 28 2. At a minimum, the task force shall do all of the 29 following: 30 a. Redefine the Carnegie unit into competencies. 31 b. Construct personal learning plans and templates. 32 c. Develop student-centered accountability and 33 assessment models. 34 d. Empower learning through technology. 35 e. Develop supports and professional development 36 for educators to transition to a competency-based 37 system. 38 3. a. The task force shall be comprised of at 39 least sixteen members, nine of whom shall represent 40 education stakeholders and practitioners knowledgeable 41 about the Iowa core curriculum; one of whom shall be 42 the deputy director and administrator of the division 43 of learning and results of the department of education 44 or the deputy director’s designee; one of whom shall 45 represent the area education agencies; one of whom 46 shall represent the Iowa state education association; 47 and four of whom shall represent the general assembly. 48 b. The four members of the general assembly 49 shall serve as ex officio, nonvoting members. One 50 -1- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 1/ 40 #1.
representative shall be appointed by the speaker of 1 the house of representatives, one representative shall 2 be appointed by the minority leader of the house of 3 representatives, one senator shall be appointed by the 4 majority leader of the senate after consultation with 5 the president of the senate, and one senator shall be 6 appointed by the minority leader of the senate. 7 4. The person representing the area education 8 agency shall convene the initial meeting. The task 9 force shall elect one of its members as chairperson. 10 After the initial meeting, the task force shall 11 meet at the time and place specified by call of the 12 chairperson. The department of education shall provide 13 staffing services for the task force. 14 5. a. The task force shall submit a preliminary 15 report that includes but is not limited to its 16 findings and recommendations relating to subsection 2, 17 paragraphs “b” , “d” , and “e” , by January 15, 2013. 18 b. The task force shall submit its plan, findings, 19 models, and recommendations in a final report to the 20 state board of education, the governor, and the general 21 assembly by November 15, 2013. 22 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT. This division of 23 this Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes 24 effect upon enactment. 25 DIVISION II 26 CORE CURRICULUM MATTERS 27 Sec. 4. Section 256.7, subsection 26, paragraph 28 a, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the 29 following new subparagraph: 30 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (3) Notwithstanding any 31 provision to the contrary, an accredited nonpublic 32 school is not required to meet the core curriculum and 33 core content standards requirements of this chapter 34 that are in conflict with tenets and practices of 35 the bona fide religious institution in charge of the 36 school. 37 Sec. 5. Section 256.7, subsection 26, paragraph 38 a, Code Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the 39 following new subparagraph: 40 NEW SUBPARAGRAPH . (4) The provisions of section 41 256.18 shall be considered by the state board in 42 developing the core curriculum requirements. 43 Sec. 6. Section 256.9, Code Supplement 2011, is 44 amended by adding the following new subsections: 45 NEW SUBSECTION . 62. Appoint members to the core 46 curriculum framework and core content standards 47 advisory council established in section 256.41. The 48 director may establish objectives for the council in 49 accordance with section 256.41. 50 -2- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 2/ 40
NEW SUBSECTION . 63. a. Create and disseminate 1 to school districts, charter schools, and accredited 2 nonpublic schools a model curriculum that is directly 3 tied to the goals, outcomes, and assessment strategies 4 identified in the core content standards. The model 5 curriculum shall identify a developmentally appropriate 6 scope and sequence of instruction applicable to 7 the core content standards, instructional material 8 resources, and teaching and assessment strategies. 9 The model curriculum shall provide guidance to school 10 districts and schools and expand on the core content 11 standards. The model curriculum shall be modified as 12 necessary to incorporate the core curriculum framework 13 developed pursuant to paragraph “b” . 14 b. Develop by July 1, 2015, a core curriculum 15 framework aligned to the core curriculum standards 16 established pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 26. 17 Sec. 7. NEW SECTION . 256.27 Remediation council. 18 1. A remediation council is established consisting 19 of eight members appointed as follows: 20 a. One member representing the community colleges 21 appointed by the president of the Iowa association of 22 community college presidents. 23 b. One member representing the accredited private 24 institutions appointed by the president of the Iowa 25 association of independent colleges and universities. 26 c. One member representing the institutions of 27 higher education governed by the state board of regents 28 appointed by the president of the state board of 29 regents. 30 d. One member representing the practitioner 31 preparation programs at institutions of higher 32 education governed by the state board of regents 33 appointed by the president of the state board of 34 regents. 35 e. One member representing school districts 36 appointed by the president of the Iowa association of 37 school boards. 38 f. One member representing accredited nonpublic 39 schools appointed by the director of the department of 40 education. 41 g. One member representing the department of 42 education appointed by the director of the department 43 of education. 44 h. One member representing the area education 45 agencies appointed by the area education agency 46 administrators. 47 2. Council members shall serve three-year terms 48 beginning and ending as provided in section 69.19, 49 and appointments shall comply with sections 69.16 and 50 -3- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 3/ 40
69.16A. Vacancies on the council shall be filled in 1 the same manner as the original appointment. A person 2 appointed to fill a vacancy shall serve only for the 3 unexpired portion of the term. 4 3. The member representing the department of 5 education shall convene the initial meeting. The 6 council shall elect one of its members as chairperson. 7 The council shall meet at least quarterly, and at any 8 time on the call of the chairperson. 9 4. a. The department shall provide staffing 10 services for the council. 11 b. Notwithstanding section 257.16, subsection 5, 12 the administrative costs of the council shall be paid 13 from the appropriation made pursuant to section 257.16, 14 subsection 5. 15 5. a. Prior to the initial meeting of the council, 16 the member representing the community colleges shall 17 convene a meeting of members appointed pursuant to 18 subsection 1, paragraphs “a” through “d” to define 19 “remediation” for purposes of the council and outline 20 the skills and expectations for postsecondary level 21 attendance. The definitions and outline shall be 22 distributed and discussed at the initial council 23 meeting. 24 b. The council shall identify measures to help 25 students transition from the secondary to the 26 postsecondary level, limit the cost of remediation, 27 define and standardize the skill sets that determine 28 the need for remediation, and create effective 29 partnerships between secondary schools and higher 30 education institutions. The council shall review 31 activities and services designed to align school 32 district curricula with core postsecondary level 33 requirements and decrease the need for remedial 34 coursework at the secondary school grade level through 35 grade sixteen. The council shall develop strategies to 36 strengthen grade nine through grade sixteen standards, 37 competencies, assessment systems, and the professional 38 development of teachers. For the fiscal year beginning 39 July 1, 2012, the council shall focus on mathematics 40 and English remediation measures. 41 6. The council shall submit its findings and 42 recommendations in a report to the state board 43 of education and the general assembly by November 44 15 annually. The state board and department of 45 education shall use the findings and recommendations to 46 strengthen the common core curriculum and core content 47 standards. 48 Sec. 8. Section 256.18, subsection 1, Code 2011, is 49 amended by adding the following new paragraph: 50 -4- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 4/ 40
NEW PARAGRAPH . 0b. Implementation of the core 1 curriculum requirements established pursuant to 2 section 256.7, subsection 26, on-going professional 3 development, and assessment in the areas of student 4 performance and educator performance shall include high 5 expectations, fair and reliable measures of student 6 achievement and teacher performance, and building 7 capacities that address research-based and data-driven 8 intentional cultures of safety and engagement, 9 competencies for positive behaviors, competencies for 10 deeper learning, and college, career, and citizenship 11 readiness. 12 Sec. 9. NEW SECTION . 256.41 Core curriculum 13 framework and core content standards advisory council. 14 1. A core curriculum framework and core content 15 standards advisory council is established under the 16 department. 17 2. The advisory council shall consist of no less 18 than seven members appointed by the director in 19 accordance with sections 69.16, 69.16A, and 69.16C. 20 Members shall serve at the pleasure of the director. 21 3. The department is the primary agency responsible 22 for providing administrative personnel and services for 23 the advisory council. 24 4. Members shall elect a chair annually and other 25 officers as the members determine. Members shall 26 establish rules of procedure for the advisory council. 27 5. The advisory council shall meet at least 28 quarterly and at the call of the chair. 29 6. Members of the advisory council shall serve 30 without compensation but may be reimbursed for actual 31 expenses incurred in the performance of their duties. 32 7. The advisory council shall review the core 33 curriculum, the core content standards, and the 34 model curriculum adopted pursuant to section 256.7, 35 subsections 26, 28, and 63 upon request of the director 36 and make recommendations to the director regarding a 37 core curriculum framework and any necessary changes 38 to the core curriculum content standards and model 39 curriculum. In making recommendations, the advisory 40 council shall seek to further the goals of the core 41 content standards and any objectives established by the 42 director. 43 Sec. 10. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION —— CORE CURRICULUM 44 STUDY. The department of education shall conduct a 45 study of the core curriculum and the core content 46 standards and the skills necessary to prepare students 47 for the future. The department shall develop a plan 48 for meeting the global education needs of students in 49 kindergarten through grade twelve that, at a minimum, 50 -5- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 5/ 40
determines how to incorporate content areas that 1 include but are not limited to fine arts, applied arts, 2 humanities, physical education, and world languages 3 into the core curriculum. The department shall submit 4 its findings and recommendations in a report to the 5 general assembly by November 15, 2012. 6 DIVISION III 7 TEACHER AND ADMINISTRATOR PERFORMANCE 8 Sec. 11. Section 256.7, Code Supplement 2011, is 9 amended by adding the following new subsection: 10 NEW SUBSECTION . 31. a. By January 1, 2013, adopt 11 rules establishing Iowa teaching standards that are 12 aligned with best practices and nationally accepted 13 standards. 14 b. By July 1, 2013, adopt by rule statewide 15 teacher evaluation system and statewide administrator 16 evaluation system pilot programs which shall be 17 implemented during the 2013-2014 school year. This 18 paragraph is repealed July 1, 2015. 19 Sec. 12. Section 256.9, Code Supplement 2011, is 20 amended by adding the following new subsection: 21 NEW SUBSECTION . 64. a. Develop a statewide 22 teacher evaluation system and a statewide administrator 23 evaluation system that school districts, charter 24 schools, and accredited nonpublic schools shall use 25 to standardize the instruments and processes used 26 to evaluate teachers and administrators throughout 27 the state. However, a charter school or accredited 28 nonpublic school may develop and submit to the 29 department for approval an alternative teacher 30 evaluation system that meets local and state 31 educational goals. Upon receiving approval from the 32 department, the charter school or accredited nonpublic 33 school may adopt and implement the approved alternative 34 teacher evaluation system in lieu of the statewide 35 teacher evaluation system. 36 b. The components of the statewide teacher 37 evaluation system shall include but not be limited to 38 the following: 39 (1) Direct observation of classroom teaching 40 behaviors. 41 (2) Strong consideration of student outcome 42 measures, when available for tested subjects and 43 grades, to validate direct observation of classroom 44 teaching behaviors. 45 (3) Integration of the Iowa teaching standards. 46 (4) System applicability to teachers in all content 47 areas taught in a school. 48 Sec. 13. Section 284.3, Code 2011, is amended by 49 adding the following new subsection: 50 -6- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 6/ 40
NEW SUBSECTION . 4. This section is repealed July 1 1, 2013. 2 Sec. 14. Section 284.4, subsection 1, paragraph e, 3 Code 2011, is amended to read as follows: 4 e. (1) Adopt a teacher evaluation plan that, at 5 minimum, requires a an annual performance review of 6 teachers in the district at least once every three 7 years based upon the Iowa teaching standards and 8 individual professional development plans in accordance 9 with section 284.8 , and requires administrators to 10 complete evaluator training in accordance with section 11 284.10 . 12 (2) Adopt, by July 1, 2013, the statewide teacher 13 evaluation system developed pursuant to section 256.9, 14 subsection 64. However, the school district may 15 develop and submit to the department for approval an 16 alternative teacher evaluation system that meets local 17 and state educational goals. In lieu of the statewide 18 teacher evaluation system, the school district may 19 adopt and implement the alternative teacher evaluation 20 system upon receiving approval from the department. 21 Sec. 15. Section 284.8, subsections 1 and 2, Code 22 2011, are amended to read as follows: 23 1. A school district shall provide for an annual 24 review a of each teacher’s performance at least 25 once every three years for purposes of assisting 26 teachers in making continuous improvement, documenting 27 continued competence in the Iowa teaching standards, 28 identifying teachers in need of improvement, or 29 to determine whether the teacher’s practice meets 30 school district expectations for career advancement 31 in accordance with section 284.7 . The review shall 32 be conducted by at least one evaluator certified in 33 accordance with section 284.10, and shall include, at 34 minimum, classroom observation of the teacher, the 35 teacher’s progress, and implementation of the teacher’s 36 individual professional development plan, subject 37 to the level of resources provided to implement the 38 plan; and shall include supporting documentation from 39 parents, students, and other teachers. 40 2. If , as a result of a review conducted pursuant 41 to subsection 1, a supervisor or an evaluator 42 determines , at any time, as a result of a teacher’s 43 performance that the a teacher is not meeting district 44 expectations under the Iowa teaching standards 45 specified in section 284.3, subsection 1 , paragraphs 46 “a” through “h” established by the state board by rule , 47 the criteria for the Iowa teaching standards developed 48 by the department in accordance with section 256.9, 49 subsection 46 , and any other standards or criteria 50 -7- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 7/ 40
established in the collective bargaining agreement, 1 the evaluator shall, at the direction of the teacher’s 2 supervisor, recommend to the district that the teacher 3 participate in an intensive assistance program. The 4 intensive assistance program and its implementation 5 are subject to negotiation and grievance procedures 6 established pursuant to chapter 20 . All school 7 districts shall be prepared to offer an intensive 8 assistance program. 9 Sec. 16. Section 284A.7, Code 2011, is amended to 10 read as follows: 11 284A.7 Evaluation requirements for administrators. 12 1. A school district shall conduct an annual 13 evaluation of an administrator who holds a professional 14 administrator license issued under chapter 272 at 15 least once every three years for purposes of assisting 16 the administrator in making continuous improvement, 17 documenting continued competence in the Iowa standards 18 for school administrators adopted pursuant to section 19 256.7, subsection 27 , or to determine whether the 20 administrator’s practice meets school district 21 expectations. The review shall include, at a minimum, 22 an assessment of the administrator’s competence in 23 meeting the Iowa standards for school administrators 24 and the goals of the administrator’s individual 25 professional development plan, including supporting 26 documentation or artifacts aligned to the Iowa 27 standards for school administrators and the individual 28 administrator’s professional development plan. 29 2. Adopt the statewide administrator evaluation 30 system developed pursuant to section 256.9, subsection 31 64. However, the school district may develop and 32 submit to the department for approval an alternative 33 administrator evaluation system that meets local and 34 state educational goals. In lieu of the statewide 35 administrator evaluation system, the school district 36 may adopt and implement the alternative administrator 37 evaluation system upon receiving approval from the 38 department. 39 Sec. 17. STATEWIDE EDUCATOR EVALUATION SYSTEM 40 TASK FORCE. The director of the department of 41 education shall appoint, and provide staffing services 42 for, a task force to conduct a study regarding a 43 statewide teacher evaluation system and a statewide 44 administrator evaluation system. The study of a 45 statewide teacher evaluation system shall include a 46 review of student outcome measures described in section 47 256.9, subsection 64, paragraph “b”, subparagraph 48 (2). To the extent possible, appointments shall be 49 made to provide geographical area representation and 50 -8- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 8/ 40
to comply with sections 69.16, 69.16A, and 69.16C. 1 The task force, at a minimum, shall include in its 2 recommendations and proposal a tiered evaluation 3 system that differentiates ineffective, minimally 4 effective, effective, and highly effective performance 5 by teachers and administrators. The task force shall 6 submit its findings, recommendations, and a proposal 7 for each system to the state board of education and 8 the general assembly by October 15, 2012. By November 9 26, 2012, the department of education shall submit a 10 departmental bill drafting request to the legislative 11 services agency in bill draft format making specific 12 and detailed proposed amendments to the Code of 13 Iowa necessary to advance the proposed task force 14 recommendations as approved by the state board of 15 education. 16 Sec. 18. TEACHER PERFORMANCE, COMPENSATION, AND 17 CAREER DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE. 18 1. The director of the department of education 19 shall appoint, and provide staffing services for, 20 a teacher performance, compensation, and career 21 development task force to develop recommendations 22 for a new teacher compensation system to replace the 23 current teacher compensation system which addresses, at 24 a minimum, the following: 25 a. The duties and responsibilities of apprentice, 26 career, mentor, and master teachers. 27 b. Utilizing retired teachers as mentors. 28 c. Strategic and meaningful uses of finite 29 resources and the realignment of resources currently 30 available. 31 d. Mechanisms to substantially increase the average 32 salary of teachers who assume leadership roles within 33 the profession. 34 e. Standardizing implementation of task force 35 recommendations in all of Iowa’s school districts and 36 public charter schools. 37 2. The director of the department of education 38 shall appoint and provide staffing services for a task 39 force whose members shall represent teachers, parents, 40 school administrators, and business and community 41 leaders. Insofar as practicable, appointments shall be 42 made to provide geographical area representation and to 43 comply with sections 69.16, 69.16A, and 69.16C. 44 3. The state board of education shall consider the 45 findings and recommendations of the task force when 46 adopting rules establishing Iowa teaching standards 47 pursuant to this Act. 48 4. The task force shall submit its findings and 49 recommendations in a report to the state board of 50 -9- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 9/ 40
education, the governor, and the general assembly by 1 October 15, 2012. 2 Sec. 19. REPEAL. Section 284.14A, Code 2011, is 3 repealed. 4 Sec. 20. EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT. The sections of 5 this division of this Act providing for the appointment 6 of the statewide educator evaluation system task 7 force and the appointment of the teacher performance, 8 compensation, and career development task force, 9 being deemed of immediate importance, take effect upon 10 enactment. 11 Sec. 21. FUTURE CONTINGENT REPEAL AND USE OF 12 EVALUATION SYSTEMS. 13 1. Section 256.7, subsection 31, and section 256.9, 14 subsection 64, as enacted in this division of this Act, 15 are repealed effective July 1, 2013, if the general 16 assembly fails to enact legislation during the 2013 17 Regular Session of the Eighty-fifth General Assembly 18 advancing the proposed statewide evaluator evaluation 19 system task force recommendations, as approved by the 20 state board of education, relating to the establishment 21 of a statewide teacher evaluation system and a 22 statewide administrator evaluation system. 23 2. Notwithstanding the sections of this division of 24 this Act amending sections 284.3, 284.8, and 284A.7, 25 if the general assembly fails to enact legislation 26 during the 2013 Regular Session of the Eighty-fifth 27 General Assembly advancing the proposed statewide 28 evaluator evaluation system task force recommendations, 29 as approved by the state board of education, relating 30 to the establishment of a statewide teacher evaluation 31 system and a statewide administrator evaluation 32 system, effective July 1, 2013, all school districts 33 shall continue to use the teacher and administrator 34 evaluation systems in place on June 30, 2013. 35 DIVISION IV 36 ONLINE LEARNING 37 Sec. 22. Section 256.7, subsection 8, Code 38 Supplement 2011, is amended by striking the subsection 39 and inserting in lieu thereof the following: 40 8. Adopt rules providing for the establishment of 41 an online learning program model. 42 a. The rules shall limit the statewide enrollment 43 of pupils in educational instruction and course content 44 that is delivered primarily over the internet to not 45 more than eighteen one-hundredths of one percent of the 46 statewide enrollment of all pupils, and shall limit 47 the number of pupils participating in open enrollment 48 for purposes of receiving educational instruction 49 and course content that is delivered primarily over 50 -10- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 10/ 40
the internet to no more than one percent of a sending 1 district’s enrollment. 2 b. For purposes of this section and sections 3 256.9 and 256.27, “online learning” means educational 4 instruction and content which is delivered primarily 5 over the internet. “Online learning” does not include 6 printed-based correspondence education, broadcast 7 television or radio, videocassettes, or stand-alone 8 educational software programs that do not have a 9 significant internet-based instructional component. 10 Sec. 23. Section 256.9, Code Supplement 2011, is 11 amended by adding the following new subsection: 12 NEW SUBSECTION . 65. a. Develop and establish an 13 online learning program model in accordance with rules 14 adopted pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 8. 15 b. Grant a waiver to school districts, charter 16 schools, and accredited nonpublic schools that 17 implement an online learning program aligned with the 18 program model developed and established pursuant to 19 this subsection. A school district or school seeking a 20 waiver pursuant to this paragraph shall submit a plan 21 for an online learning program to the director for 22 approval. A school district or school whose online 23 learning program plan is approved by the director may 24 be granted a waiver only for purposes of implementing 25 the approved online learning program. The standards 26 that may be waived pursuant to this paragraph are as 27 follows: 28 (1) The minimum number of instructional days 29 required pursuant to section 279.10, subsection 30 1, and the minimum number of instructional hours 31 required pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 19. 32 Notwithstanding any provision to the contrary, the 33 waiver may exempt school districts and schools from 34 any statutory requirement that students be physically 35 present in a school building and under the guidance and 36 instruction of the instructional professional staff 37 employed by the school district or the school except as 38 necessary under the rules adopted pursuant to section 39 256.7, subsection 8. 40 (2) Any statutory requirement that a subject being 41 studied by a student enrolled in an approved online 42 learning program be a subject that is offered and 43 taught by the professional staff of the school district 44 or school. 45 c. Require that the school district or school 46 granted a waiver pursuant to paragraph “b” implement 47 and incorporate into its comprehensive school 48 improvement plan required under section 256.7, 49 subsection 21, accountability measures designed to 50 -11- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 11/ 40
demonstrate that academic credit is awarded based 1 upon successful completion of content or achievement 2 of competencies by students enrolled in the approved 3 online learning program. 4 d. Establish criteria for school districts or 5 schools to use when choosing providers of online 6 learning to meet the online learning program 7 requirements specified in rules adopted pursuant to 8 section 256.7, subsection 8. 9 Sec. 24. NEW SECTION . 256.27 Online learning 10 program model. 11 1. Online learning program model established. The 12 director, pursuant to section 256.9, subsection 65, 13 shall establish an online learning program model that 14 provides for the following: 15 a. Online access to high-quality content, 16 instructional materials, and blended learning. 17 b. Coursework customized to the needs of the 18 student using online content. 19 c. A means for a student to demonstrate competency 20 in completed online coursework. 21 d. High-quality online instruction taught by 22 appropriately licensed teachers. 23 e. Online content and instruction evaluated on the 24 basis of student learning outcomes. 25 f. Use of funds available for online learning for 26 program development, implementation, and innovation. 27 g. Infrastructure that supports online learning. 28 h. Online administration of online course 29 assessments. 30 2. Online learning program waiver application. A 31 school district, charter school, or accredited 32 nonpublic school may apply to the department for a 33 waiver to implement an online learning program pursuant 34 to section 256.9, subsection 65. 35 3. Private providers. At the discretion of 36 the school board or authorities in charge of an 37 accredited nonpublic school, after consideration 38 of circumstances created by necessity, convenience, 39 and cost-effectiveness, courses developed by private 40 providers may be utilized by the school district or 41 school in implementing a high-quality online learning 42 program. Courses obtained from private providers shall 43 be taught by teachers licensed under this chapter. 44 4. Grading. Grades in online courses shall be 45 based, at a minimum, on whether a student mastered the 46 subject, demonstrated competency, and met the standards 47 established by the school district. Grades shall be 48 conferred by appropriately licensed teachers only. 49 5. Accreditation criteria. All online courses and 50 -12- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 12/ 40
programs shall meet existing accreditation standards. 1 Sec. 25. NEW SECTION . 256.28 Iowa learning online 2 initiative. 3 1. An Iowa learning online initiative is 4 established within the department of education to 5 partner with school districts and accredited nonpublic 6 schools to provide distance education to high school 7 students statewide. The department shall utilize 8 a variety of content repositories, including those 9 maintained by the area education agencies and the 10 public broadcasting division, in administering the 11 initiative. 12 2. Coursework offered under the initiative shall 13 meet the requirements of section 256.7, subsections 14 7, 8, and 9, and shall be taught by an appropriately 15 licensed teacher who has completed an online-learning 16 -for-Iowa-educators-professional-development project 17 offered by area education agencies, a teacher 18 preservice program, or comparable coursework. 19 3. Under the initiative, students must be enrolled 20 in a participating school district or school, which 21 is responsible for recording grades received for 22 initiative coursework in a student’s permanent record, 23 awarding high school credit for initiative coursework, 24 and issuing high school diplomas to students enrolled 25 in the district or school who participate and complete 26 coursework under the initiative. Each participating 27 school district or school shall identify a site 28 coordinator to serve as a student advocate and as a 29 liaison between the initiative staff and teachers and 30 the school district or school. 31 4. Coursework offered under the initiative shall 32 be rigorous and high quality, and the department 33 shall annually evaluate the quality of the courses, 34 ensure that coursework is aligned with the state’s 35 core curriculum and core content requirements and 36 standards, as well as national standards of quality for 37 online courses issued by an internationally recognized 38 association for kindergarten through grade twelve 39 online learning. 40 5. The department may waive any requirement that a 41 subject being studied under the initiative by a student 42 enrolled in a school district or school participating 43 in the initiative be a subject that is offered and 44 taught by the professional staff of the participating 45 school district or school. 46 Sec. 26. Section 256.33, subsection 1, Code 2011, 47 is amended to read as follows: 48 1. The department shall consort with school 49 districts, area education agencies, community colleges, 50 -13- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 13/ 40
and colleges and universities to provide assistance 1 to them in the use of educational technology for 2 instruction purposes. The department shall consult 3 with the advisory committee on telecommunications, 4 established in section 256.7, subsection 7 , and other 5 users of educational technology on the development 6 and operation of programs under this section , section 7 256.9, subsection 65, and section 256.27 . 8 DIVISION V 9 CLASS SHARING AGREEMENTS 10 Sec. 27. Section 257.11, subsection 3, Code 2011, 11 is amended by adding the following new paragraph: 12 NEW PARAGRAPH . c. A school district that 13 collaborates with a community college to provide a 14 college-level class that uses an activities-based, 15 project-based, and problem-based learning approach and 16 that is offered through a partnership with a nationally 17 recognized provider of rigorous and innovative science, 18 technology, engineering, and mathematics curriculum 19 for schools, which provider is exempt from taxation 20 under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, 21 is eligible to receive additional weighting under a 22 supplementary weighting plan adopted pursuant to this 23 subsection. 24 Sec. 28. Section 257.11, subsection 7, Code 2011, 25 is amended to read as follows: 26 7. Shared classes delivered over the Iowa 27 communications network . 28 a. A school district that provides a virtual class 29 to a pupil in another school district and the school 30 district receiving that virtual class for a pupil shall 31 each receive a supplemental weighting of one-twentieth 32 of the percentage of the pupil’s school day during 33 which the pupil attends the virtual class. 34 b. Fifty percent of the funding the school district 35 providing the virtual class receives as a result of 36 this subsection shall be reserved as additional pay for 37 the virtual classroom instructor. If an instructor’s 38 contract provides additional pay for teaching a virtual 39 class, the instructor shall receive the greater amount 40 of either the amount provided for in this paragraph or 41 the amount provided for in the instructor’s contract. 42 c. A school district receiving a virtual class for 43 a pupil from a community college, which class meets 44 the sharing agreement requirements in subsection 3 , 45 shall receive a supplemental funding weighting of 46 one-twentieth of the percentage of the pupil’s school 47 day during which the pupil attends the virtual class. 48 d. For the purposes of this subsection , “virtual 49 class” means either any of the following: 50 -14- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 14/ 40
(1) A class provided by a school district to 1 a pupil in another school district via the Iowa 2 communications network’s video services. 3 (2) A class provided by a community college to a 4 pupil in a school district via the Iowa communications 5 network’s video services. 6 (3) An advanced placement course provided to a 7 pupil in a school district under an agreement with 8 the Iowa online advanced placement academy science, 9 technology, engineering, and mathematics initiative 10 under section 263.8A, subsection 2. 11 (4) A course provided by the Iowa learning online 12 initiative of the department of education to a pupil 13 in a school district under an agreement with the 14 department. 15 Sec. 29. Section 261E.8, Code Supplement 2011, is 16 amended by adding the following new subsection: 17 NEW SUBSECTION . 6A. A student enrolled in a 18 career and technical course made available pursuant 19 to subsection 1 is exempt from the proficiency 20 requirements of section 261E.3, subsection 1, 21 paragraph “e” . However, a community college may 22 require a student who applies for enrollment under a 23 district-to-community college sharing or concurrent 24 enrollment program to complete an initial assessment 25 administered by the community college receiving the 26 application to determine the applicant’s readiness to 27 enroll in career and technical coursework, and the 28 community college may deny the enrollment. 29 DIVISION VI 30 SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL TIME 31 Sec. 30. SCHOOL INSTRUCTIONAL TIME TASK FORCE. 32 1. The director of the department of education 33 shall appoint a school instructional time task force 34 comprised of at least seven members to conduct a study 35 regarding the minimum requirements of the school day 36 and the school year. The study shall include but not 37 be limited to an examination of the following: 38 a. Whether the minimum length of an instructional 39 day should be extended and, if so, whether the 40 instructional day should be extended for all students 41 or for specific groups of students. 42 b. Whether the minimum number of instructional days 43 or hours in a school year should be increased and, if 44 so, whether the minimum number of days or hours in a 45 school year should be increased for all students or for 46 specific groups of students. 47 c. Whether the minimum number of instructional days 48 or hours should be rearranged to result in a shorter 49 summer break, with other days or weeks off throughout 50 -15- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 15/ 40
the school year. 1 d. Whether the minimum school year should be 2 defined by a number of days or by a number of 3 instructional hours. 4 e. Whether there should be a uniform, statewide 5 start date for the school year that can only be 6 waived for the purpose of implementing an innovative 7 educational program. 8 f. Whether resources necessary to extend the 9 minimum length of an instructional day or the minimum 10 length of a school year are justified when compared to 11 competing education priorities. 12 2. The appointment of members to the task force 13 shall be made in a manner which provides geographical 14 area representation and complies with sections 69.16, 15 69.16A, and 69.16C. 16 3. The task force shall submit its findings and 17 recommendations in a report to the state board of 18 education, the governor, and the general assembly by 19 October 15, 2012. 20 DIVISION VII 21 ASSESSMENTS 22 Sec. 31. Section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph c, 23 Code Supplement 2011, is amended to read as follows: 24 c. A requirement that all school districts and 25 accredited nonpublic schools annually report to the 26 department and the local community the district-wide 27 progress made in attaining student achievement goals 28 on the academic and other core indicators and the 29 district-wide progress made in attaining locally 30 established student learning goals. The Use by school 31 districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall 32 demonstrate the use of multiple statewide assessment 33 measures identified and approved by the state board in 34 determining student achievement levels. The school 35 districts and accredited nonpublic schools shall also 36 report the number of students who graduate; the number 37 of students who drop out of school; the number of 38 students who are tested and the percentage of students 39 who are so tested annually; and the percentage of 40 students who graduated during the prior school year 41 and who completed a core curriculum. The board shall 42 develop and adopt uniform definitions consistent with 43 the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. 44 L. No. 107-110 and any federal regulations adopted 45 pursuant to the federal Act. The school districts 46 and accredited nonpublic schools may report on other 47 locally determined factors influencing student 48 achievement. The school districts and accredited 49 nonpublic schools shall also report to the local 50 -16- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 16/ 40
community their results by individual attendance 1 center. 2 Sec. 32. Section 256.7, subsection 21, Code 3 Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new 4 paragraph: 5 NEW PARAGRAPH . d. By July 1, 2014, establishment 6 by the department of an accountability system designed 7 to hold school districts and accredited nonpublic 8 schools accountable for student achievement. The 9 accountability system shall, at a minimum, define 10 and measure student achievement, student growth, 11 student achievement gaps, college and career readiness, 12 student well-being, parent satisfaction, school staff 13 working conditions, school fiscal responsibility, and 14 graduation and attendance rates. The director may at 15 the director’s discretion, or shall as directed by 16 the state board, convene a working group to develop 17 recommendations for any of the following: 18 (1) The accountability system established pursuant 19 to this paragraph. 20 (2) Redesigning the accreditation procedures 21 implemented under section 256.11. 22 (3) A compliance monitoring process aligned with 23 the accountability system. 24 (4) Targeting support for school districts 25 identified as needing assistance under the 26 accountability system. 27 (5) Identifying, studying, and commending 28 high-performing districts. 29 (6) Developing strategies to take over the 30 operation of school districts determined pursuant to 31 section 256.11, or under the accountability system, 32 as persistently failing to meet educational system or 33 student achievement standards. 34 Sec. 33. Section 256.7, subsection 26, paragraph 35 a, subparagraph (1), Code Supplement 2011, is amended 36 to read as follows: 37 (1) The rules establishing high school graduation 38 requirements shall authorize a school district 39 or accredited nonpublic school to consider that 40 any student who satisfactorily completes a high 41 school-level unit of English or language arts, 42 mathematics, science, or social studies has 43 satisfactorily completed a unit of the high school 44 graduation requirements for that area as specified 45 in this lettered paragraph, and shall authorize the 46 school district or accredited nonpublic school to 47 issue high school credit for the unit to the student. 48 The rules shall also require administration of the 49 college entrance and career readiness examinations in 50 -17- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 17/ 40
accordance with section 280.18. 1 Sec. 34. Section 256.7, subsection 26, Code 2 Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new 3 paragraph: 4 NEW PARAGRAPH . d. Adopt by rule by July 1, 2014, 5 a policy for the incorporation by school districts of 6 end-of-course assessments into the district’s high 7 school graduation requirements. 8 Sec. 35. Section 256.7, subsection 28, Code 9 Supplement 2011, is amended to read as follows: 10 28. Adopt a set of core content standards 11 applicable to all students in kindergarten through 12 grade twelve in every school district and accredited 13 nonpublic school. For purposes of this subsection , 14 “core content standards” includes reading, mathematics, 15 and science. The core content standards shall be 16 identical to the core content standards included 17 include those established in Iowa’s approved 2006 18 standards and assessment system under Tit. I of the 19 federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 20 1965, 20 U.S.C. § 6301 et seq., as amended by the 21 federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, Pub. L. No. 22 107-110. School districts and accredited nonpublic 23 schools shall include, at a minimum, the core content 24 standards adopted pursuant to this subsection in any 25 set of locally developed content standards. School 26 districts and accredited nonpublic schools are 27 strongly encouraged to set higher expectations in local 28 standards. As changes in federal law or regulation 29 occur, the state board is authorized to amend the core 30 content standards as appropriate. 31 Sec. 36. Section 256.9, Code Supplement 2011, is 32 amended by adding the following new subsection: 33 NEW SUBSECTION . 68. Develop, by July 1, 2014, high 34 school end-of-course assessments for subject areas 35 included under the core content standards. 36 Sec. 37. NEW SECTION . 256.24 Value-added 37 assessment system. 38 1. For purposes of this section, unless the context 39 otherwise requires, “value-added assessment” means 40 a method to measure gains in student achievement by 41 conducting a statistical analysis of achievement data 42 that reveals academic growth over time for students and 43 groups of students, such as those in a grade level or 44 in a school. 45 2. A value-added assessment system shall be 46 established and implemented by the department not later 47 than January 31, 2013, to provide for multivariate 48 longitudinal analysis of annual student test scores 49 to determine the influence of a school district’s 50 -18- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 18/ 40
educational program on student academic growth and 1 to guide school district improvement efforts. The 2 department shall select a value-added assessment system 3 provider through a request for proposals process. The 4 system provider selected by the department shall offer 5 a value-added assessment system to calculate annually 6 the academic growth of students, as determined by the 7 director, and tested in accordance with this section. 8 The system provider shall, at a minimum, meet all of 9 the following criteria: 10 a. Use a mixed-model statistical analysis that has 11 the ability to use all achievement test data for each 12 student, including the data for students with missing 13 test scores, that does not adjust downward expectations 14 for student progress based on race, poverty, or 15 gender, and that will provide the best linear unbiased 16 predictions of school or other educational entity 17 effects to minimize the impact of random errors. 18 b. Have the ability to work with test data from 19 a variety of sources, including data that are not 20 vertically scaled, and to provide support for school 21 districts utilizing the system. 22 c. Have the capacity to receive and report results 23 electronically and provide support for districts 24 utilizing the system. 25 3. The system provider shall create a mechanism 26 to collect and evaluate data in a manner that 27 reliably aligns the performance of the teacher 28 with the achievement levels of and progress of the 29 teacher’s students. School districts shall report 30 teacher-to-student alignment data to the system 31 provider as directed by the department. 32 4. The system provider shall provide analysis to 33 school districts and to the department of education. 34 The analysis shall include but not be limited to 35 attendance-center-level test results for an assessment 36 aligned with the core content standards in the areas of 37 reading and mathematics and other core academic areas 38 when possible. The analysis shall also include but 39 not be limited to the number of students tested, the 40 number of test results used to compute the averages, 41 the average standard score, and the corresponding 42 grade equivalent-score, as well as measures of student 43 progress. The system provider shall create a chart for 44 each school district. 45 5. A school district shall have complete access to 46 and full utilization of its own value-added assessment 47 reports and charts generated by the system provider at 48 the student level for the purpose of measuring student 49 achievement at different educational entity levels. 50 -19- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 19/ 40
6. Where student outcomes measures are available, 1 for tested subjects and grades, student outcomes 2 measures shall be considered by the district to 3 validate a teacher’s observational evaluation. Student 4 outcomes measures which are a component of a teacher’s 5 evaluation are not public records for the purposes of 6 chapter 22. 7 7. Information about student academic growth shall 8 be used by the school district, including school board 9 members, administration, and staff, for defining 10 student and district learning goals and professional 11 development related to student learning goals across 12 the school district. A school district shall submit 13 its academic growth measures in the annual report 14 submitted pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 21, 15 and may reference in the report state level norms for 16 purposes of demonstrating school district performance. 17 8. The department shall use student academic 18 growth data to determine school improvement and 19 technical assistance needs of school districts, and to 20 identify school districts achieving exceptional gains. 21 Beginning January 15, 2013, and by January 15 of each 22 succeeding year, the department shall submit an annual 23 progress report regarding the use of student academic 24 growth information in the school improvement processes 25 to the general assembly and shall publish the progress 26 report on its internet site. 27 9. A school district shall use the value-added 28 assessment system established by the department 29 pursuant to subsection 1 not later than the school year 30 beginning July 1, 2013. 31 Sec. 38. Section 279.60, Code 2011, is amended to 32 read as follows: 33 279.60 Kindergarten assessment Assessments —— access 34 to data —— reports. 35 1. a. Each school district shall administer 36 a kindergarten readiness assessment prescribed 37 by the department of education to every resident 38 prekindergarten or four-year-old child whose parent or 39 guardian enrolls the child in the district. 40 b. Each school district shall administer the 41 dynamic indicators of basic early literacy skills 42 kindergarten benchmark assessment or other kindergarten 43 benchmark assessment adopted by the department of 44 education in consultation with the early childhood Iowa 45 state board to every kindergarten student enrolled 46 in the district not later than the date specified in 47 section 257.6, subsection 1 . The school district 48 shall also collect information from each parent, 49 guardian, or legal custodian of a kindergarten student 50 -20- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 20/ 40
enrolled in the district, including but not limited 1 to whether the student attended preschool, factors 2 identified by the early childhood Iowa office pursuant 3 to section 256I.5 , and other demographic factors. 4 Each school district shall report the results of the 5 assessment and the preschool information collected to 6 the department of education in the manner prescribed 7 by the department not later than January 1 of that 8 school year. The early childhood Iowa office in the 9 department of management shall have access to the raw 10 data. The department shall review the information 11 submitted pursuant to this section and shall submit its 12 findings and recommendations annually in a report to 13 the governor, the general assembly, the early childhood 14 Iowa state board, and the early childhood Iowa area 15 boards. 16 2. a. Each school district shall administer the 17 Iowa assessments, created by the state university of 18 Iowa, to all students enrolled in grade ten in the 19 school years beginning July 1, 2012, and July 1, 2013. 20 b. This subsection is repealed July 1, 2014. 21 3. By July 1, 2014, each school district shall 22 administer end-of-course assessments developed pursuant 23 to section 256.9, subsection 68, as an integral 24 component of each course of study under the core 25 content standards. 26 Sec. 39. NEW SECTION . 280.18 Assessment 27 requirements. 28 1. The board of directors of a school district and 29 the authorities in charge of a nonpublic school shall 30 offer to each student enrolled in grade eleven a choice 31 of taking either a college entrance examination or an 32 assessment to assess reading for information, locating 33 information, and applied mathematics. 34 2. a. The cost of the examinations and assessments 35 administered pursuant to subsection 1 shall be paid by 36 the department. 37 b. The costs of a college entrance examination 38 taken by a student in addition to those specified 39 in subsection 1 shall be the responsibility of the 40 student. 41 3. If funds are available to the department for 42 such purpose, the department shall make a preparation 43 program for the college entrance examination available 44 to all students in grade eleven. The department may 45 contract for the necessary assessment services. 46 4. a. The school district or school shall counsel 47 a student whose scores on the college entrance 48 examination administered in grade eleven indicate 49 a high degree of readiness for college to enroll in 50 -21- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 21/ 40 #3.
accelerated courses, with an emphasis on advanced 1 placement and other college-level classes. 2 b. The school district or school shall provide 3 intervention strategies for accelerated learning in the 4 following circumstances: 5 (1) To a student whose scores on the career 6 readiness assessments indicate that additional 7 assistance is required in reading for information, 8 locating information, or applied mathematics. 9 (2) To a student whose scores on the college 10 entrance examination administered in grade eleven 11 indicate that additional assistance is required in 12 English, reading, mathematics, and science. 13 5. Accommodations provided by the college entrance 14 examination provider to a student with a disability 15 taking the college entrance examination under 16 subsection 1 shall be provided in the following manner: 17 a. In the manner allowed by the college entrance 18 examination provider, when results in test scores 19 are reportable to a postsecondary institution for 20 admissions and placement purposes, except as provided 21 in paragraph “b” . 22 b. In a manner allowed by an individualized 23 education program developed for the student if the 24 student is a student requiring special education under 25 chapter 256B and the student’s disability precludes 26 valid assessment of academic ability using the 27 accommodations provided under paragraph “a” when the 28 student’s scores are not reportable to a postsecondary 29 institution for admissions and placement purposes. 30 6. A student’s scores on the examinations 31 administered under subsection 1 shall be recorded by 32 the school district or school in the student’s official 33 education record. 34 DIVISION VIII 35 NATIONAL BOARD FOR PROFESSIONAL TEACHING STANDARDS 36 AWARDS 37 Sec. 40. Section 256.44, subsection 1, paragraph a, 38 Code 2011, is amended to read as follows: 39 a. If a teacher registers for national board 40 for professional teaching standards certification 41 by after December 31, 2007, a one-time initial 42 reimbursement award in the amount of up to one-half 43 of the registration fee paid by the teacher for 44 registration for certification by the national board 45 for professional teaching standards. The teacher shall 46 apply to the department within one year of registration 47 in a manner and according to procedures required 48 by the department , submitting to the department any 49 documentation the department requires. A teacher who 50 -22- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 22/ 40
receives an initial reimbursement award shall receive 1 a one-time final registration award in the amount of 2 the remaining national board registration fee paid by 3 the teacher if the teacher notifies the department of 4 the teacher’s certification achievement and submits any 5 documentation requested by the department. 6 Sec. 41. Section 256.44, subsection 1, paragraph b, 7 subparagraph (1), subparagraph division (b), Code 2011, 8 is amended to read as follows: 9 (b) If the teacher registers for national board for 10 professional teaching standards certification between 11 January 1, 1999, and December 31, 2007, and achieves 12 certification within the timelines and policies 13 established by the national board for professional 14 teaching standards, an annual award in the amount 15 of two thousand five hundred dollars upon achieving 16 certification by the national board of professional 17 teaching standards. 18 DIVISION IX 19 EDUCATOR EMPLOYMENT AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 20 MATTERS 21 Sec. 42. Section 256.7, Code Supplement 2011, is 22 amended by adding the following new subsection: 23 NEW SUBSECTION . 32. Adopt rules providing for the 24 establishment of a statewide plan for professional 25 development for practitioners employed in Iowa’s school 26 districts. The statewide plan shall be designed to 27 make every reasonable effort to utilize best practices, 28 current technologies, and social media, and shall be 29 implemented by the area education agencies pursuant to 30 section 273.2. 31 Sec. 43. Section 256.9, Code Supplement 2011, is 32 amended by adding the following new subsection: 33 NEW SUBSECTION . 69. Approve, amend and approve, 34 or reject each professional development plan submitted 35 pursuant to section 273.2, in accordance with the 36 rules adopted pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 37 32, providing for the establishment of a statewide 38 professional development plan for practitioners, 39 the services of which a school district may request 40 pursuant to section 273.2. 41 Sec. 44. Section 257.10, subsection 10, paragraph 42 d, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows: 43 d. The use of the funds calculated under this 44 subsection shall comply with the requirements of 45 section 256.7, subsection 32, and chapter 284 . 46 Sec. 45. Section 257.37A, subsection 2, paragraph 47 d, Code 2011, is amended to read as follows: 48 d. The use of the funds calculated under this 49 subsection shall comply with requirements of section 50 -23- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 23/ 40
256.7, subsection 32, and chapter 284 . 1 Sec. 46. Section 273.2, Code Supplement 2011, is 2 amended by adding the following new subsection: 3 NEW SUBSECTION . 10. The area education agency 4 boards shall each annually submit to the department 5 of education a plan for a professional development 6 program, to be implemented in the following fiscal 7 year, which combines the professional development 8 priorities of the state board of education, in 9 accordance with section 256.7, subsection 32, with 10 the professional development needs of the schools 11 and school districts in the area. The area education 12 agency board shall provide professional development 13 services under the approved program to local school 14 districts in the area upon request. 15 Sec. 47. Section 284.6, subsection 1, unnumbered 16 paragraph 1, Code Supplement 2011, is amended to read 17 as follows: 18 The department shall coordinate a implement the 19 statewide network of plan for professional development 20 for Iowa teachers practitioners established pursuant to 21 section 256.7, subsection 32 . A In addition, a school 22 district or professional development provider that 23 offers a career and professional development program 24 programs in accordance with section 256.9, subsection 25 subsections 46 , and 69 shall demonstrate that the 26 program contains programs contain the following: 27 Sec. 48. Section 284.6, Code Supplement 2011, is 28 amended by adding the following new subsection: 29 NEW SUBSECTION . 5A. The director may waive 30 the requirements relating to the development and 31 review of an individual teacher professional 32 development plan for a school district that utilizes 33 a peer review teacher evaluation system in which 34 consulting teachers, in conjunction with school 35 administrators, make formal evaluations of the school 36 district’s teachers, including but not limited to each 37 teacher’s professional growth and employment status. 38 Notwithstanding section 284.8, subsection 1, if the 39 school district is granted a waiver pursuant to this 40 subsection, the review conducted pursuant to section 41 284.8, subsection 1, shall include a teacher’s review 42 conducted utilizing the peer review teacher evaluation 43 system. 44 DIVISION X 45 THIRD GRADE LITERACY 46 Sec. 49. Section 256.7, Code Supplement 2011, is 47 amended by adding the following new subsection: 48 NEW SUBSECTION . 31. By July 1, 2013, adopt by 49 rule guidelines for school district implementation of 50 -24- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 24/ 40
section 279.68, including but not limited to basic 1 levels of reading proficiency on approved assessments 2 and identification of tools that school districts may 3 use in evaluating and reevaluating any student who may 4 be or who is determined to be deficient in reading, 5 including but not limited to initial assessments and 6 subsequent assessments, alternative assessments, 7 and portfolio reviews. The state board shall adopt 8 standards that provide a reasonable expectation that 9 a student’s progress toward reading proficiency under 10 section 279.68 is sufficient to master appropriate 11 grade four level reading skills prior to the student’s 12 promotion to grade four. 13 Sec. 50. Section 256.9, subsection 53, paragraph a, 14 Code Supplement 2011, is amended to read as follows: 15 a. Develop and distribute, or approve, in 16 collaboration with the area education agencies, core 17 curriculum technical assistance and implementation 18 strategies that school districts and accredited 19 nonpublic schools shall utilize, including but not 20 limited to the development and delivery of formative 21 and end-of-course model assessments classroom 22 teachers may use to measure student progress on the 23 core curriculum adopted pursuant to section 256.7, 24 subsection 26 . The department shall, in collaboration 25 with the advisory group convened in accordance with 26 paragraph “b” and educational assessment providers, 27 identify and make available to school districts 28 end-of-course and additional model end-of-course and 29 additional assessments to align with the expectations 30 included in the Iowa core curriculum. The model 31 assessments shall be suitable to meet the multiple 32 assessment measures requirement specified in section 33 256.7, subsection 21 , paragraph “c” . 34 Sec. 51. Section 256.9, subsection 53, Code 35 Supplement 2011, is amended by adding the following new 36 paragraphs: 37 NEW PARAGRAPH . c. Identify the scoring levels 38 on approved grade three reading assessments that 39 require the retention of a student pursuant to 40 section 279.68, and develop or identify and approve 41 alternative performance measures for students who are 42 not proficient in reading in accordance with section 43 279.68, subsection 2. Alternative performance measures 44 approved pursuant to this paragraph shall include but 45 not be limited to a demonstration of reading mastery 46 evidenced by portfolios of student work. 47 NEW PARAGRAPH . d. Establish, subject to an 48 appropriation of sufficient funds by the general 49 assembly, an Iowa reading research center to apply 50 -25- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 25/ 40
current research on literacy to provide for the 1 development and dissemination of all of the following: 2 (1) Promising instructional strategies in reading. 3 (2) Reading assessments. 4 (3) Professional development strategies and 5 materials aligned with current and emerging best 6 practices for the teaching of reading. 7 Sec. 52. Section 256D.2A, Code 2011, is amended to 8 read as follows: 9 256D.2A Program funding. 10 For the budget year beginning July 1, 2009, and 11 each succeeding budget year, a school district shall 12 expend funds received pursuant to section 257.10, 13 subsection 11 , at the kindergarten through grade 14 three levels to reduce class sizes to the state goal 15 of seventeen students for every one teacher and to 16 achieve a higher level of student success in the 17 basic skills, especially reading ; and to establish 18 a reading enhancement and acceleration development 19 initiative pursuant to section 279.68, subsection 3, 20 paragraph “f” . In order to support these efforts, 21 school districts shall expend funds received pursuant 22 to section 257.10, subsection 11, as provided in 23 section 279.68, subsection 3, paragraph “f” , and may 24 expend funds received pursuant to section 257.10, 25 subsection 11 , at the kindergarten through grade 26 three level on programs, instructional support, and 27 materials that include but are not limited to the 28 following: additional licensed instructional staff; 29 additional support for students, such as before and 30 after school programs, tutoring, and intensive summer 31 programs; the acquisition and administration of 32 diagnostic reading assessments; the implementation of 33 research-based instructional intervention programs for 34 students needing additional support; the implementation 35 of all-day, everyday kindergarten programs; and 36 the provision of classroom teachers with intensive 37 training programs to improve reading instruction and 38 professional development in best practices including 39 but not limited to training programs related to 40 instruction to increase students’ phonemic awareness, 41 reading abilities, and comprehension skills. 42 Sec. 53. NEW SECTION . 279.68 Student progression 43 and retention —— remedial instruction —— reporting 44 requirements. 45 1. Reading deficiency and parental notification. 46 a. A school district shall immediately provide 47 intensive reading instruction to any student who 48 exhibits a substantial deficiency in reading based 49 upon teacher observations or upon assessments 50 -26- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 26/ 40
approved pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 31, and 1 administered in kindergarten or grade one, grade two, 2 or grade three. The student’s reading proficiency 3 shall be reassessed by assessments approved pursuant 4 to section 256.7, subsection 31. The student shall 5 continue to be provided with intensive reading 6 instruction until the reading deficiency is remedied. 7 b. The parent or guardian of any student in 8 kindergarten through grade three who exhibits a 9 substantial deficiency in reading, as described in 10 paragraph “a” , shall be notified at least annually in 11 writing of the following: 12 (1) That the child has been identified as having a 13 substantial deficiency in reading. 14 (2) A description of the services currently 15 provided to the child. 16 (3) A description of the proposed supplemental 17 instructional services and supports that the school 18 district will provide to the child that are designed to 19 remediate the identified area of reading deficiency. 20 (4) That if the child’s reading deficiency is not 21 remediated by the end of grade three, the child shall 22 be retained unless the child is exempt from mandatory 23 retention for good cause pursuant to subsection 2, 24 paragraph “b” . If the child is ineligible for a good 25 cause exemption, the notification shall state why the 26 child is ineligible. 27 (5) Strategies for parents and guardians to use 28 in helping the child succeed in reading proficiency, 29 including but not limited to the promotion of 30 parent-guided home reading. 31 (6) That the assessment used pursuant to section 32 256.9, subsection 53, is not the sole determiner of 33 promotion and that additional evaluations, portfolio 34 reviews, performance measures, and assessments are 35 available to the child to assist parents and the school 36 district in knowing when a child is reading at or above 37 grade level and ready for grade promotion. 38 (7) The district’s specific criteria and policies 39 for midyear promotion. For purposes of this section, 40 “midyear promotion” means promotion to the next grade 41 level of a retained student at any time during the year 42 of retention once the student has demonstrated the 43 ability to read at grade level. 44 c. If the student’s reading deficiency, as 45 identified in paragraph “a” , is not remedied by the 46 end of grade three, as demonstrated by scoring on an 47 assessment approved by the department pursuant to 48 section 256.9, subsection 53, the student shall be 49 retained in grade three. 50 -27- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 27/ 40
2. Good cause exemption. 1 a. The school district shall only exempt students 2 from mandatory retention, as provided in subsection 1, 3 paragraph “c” , for good cause. Good cause exemptions 4 shall be limited to the following: 5 (1) Limited English proficient students who have 6 had less than two years of instruction in an English as 7 a second language program. 8 (2) Students requiring special education whose 9 individualized education program indicates that 10 participation in the assessment approved pursuant to 11 section 256.9, subsection 53, is not appropriate, 12 consistent with the requirements of rules adopted by 13 the state board of education for the administration of 14 chapter 256B. 15 (3) Students who demonstrate an acceptable level 16 of performance on an alternative performance measure 17 approved by the director of the department of education 18 pursuant to section 256.9, subsection 53. 19 (4) Students who demonstrate mastery through 20 a student portfolio under alternative performance 21 measures approved pursuant to section 256.9, subsection 22 53. 23 (5) Students who have received intensive 24 remediation in reading for two or more years but 25 still demonstrate a deficiency in reading and who were 26 previously retained in kindergarten, grade one, grade 27 two, or grade three. Intensive reading instruction 28 for students so promoted must include an altered 29 instructional day that includes specialized diagnostic 30 information and specific reading strategies for each 31 student. The school district shall assist attendance 32 centers and teachers to implement reading strategies 33 that research has shown to be successful in improving 34 reading among low-performing readers. 35 b. Requests for good cause exemptions from the 36 mandatory retention requirement for students as 37 described in paragraph “a” , subparagraphs (3) and (4), 38 shall be made consistent with the following: 39 (1) Documentation shall be submitted from the 40 student’s teacher to the school principal that 41 indicates that the promotion of the student is 42 appropriate and is based upon the student’s academic 43 record. Such documentation shall include but not be 44 limited to the individualized education program, if 45 applicable, report card, or student portfolio. 46 (2) The school principal shall review and discuss 47 the recommendation submitted pursuant to subparagraph 48 (1) with the teacher and the school principal shall 49 determine whether the student should be promoted 50 -28- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 28/ 40
or retained. If the principal determines that the 1 student should be retained, the principal shall notify 2 the student’s teacher and parent or guardian of the 3 decision in writing and the student shall be ineligible 4 for the good cause exemption from mandatory retention. 5 (3) If the school principal determines that the 6 student should be promoted, the school principal 7 shall make such recommendation in writing to the 8 district school superintendent. The district school 9 superintendent shall accept or reject the school 10 principal’s recommendation and shall notify the school 11 principal and the student’s teacher and parent or 12 guardian of the school superintendent’s decision in 13 writing. If the school superintendent determines 14 that the student should be retained, the student 15 shall be ineligible for the good cause exemption from 16 mandatory retention. The parent or guardian of the 17 student may appeal the superintendent’s decision to 18 the board of directors of the school district. If the 19 superintendent’s decision is affirmed by the school 20 board, the decision is final and is not subject to 21 appeal under section 290.1. 22 c. This section does not preclude the parent or 23 guardian of a student with a reading deficiency from 24 requesting that the student be retained at grade level. 25 3. Successful progression for retained readers. A 26 school district shall do all of the following: 27 a. Conduct a review, within one week following 28 the last instructional day of the school calendar, 29 of student progress for any student retained under 30 subsection 1, paragraph “c” , who did not meet the 31 criteria for one of the good cause exemptions in 32 subsection 2, paragraph “a” . The review shall address 33 additional supports and services, as described in 34 subparagraph (2), needed to remediate the identified 35 areas of reading deficiency. The school district shall 36 require a student portfolio to be completed for each 37 such student. 38 b. Provide students who are retained under 39 subsection 1, paragraph “c” , with intensive 40 instructional services and supports, free of charge, to 41 remediate the identified areas of reading deficiency, 42 including a minimum of a daily ninety-minute block of 43 scientific-research-based reading instruction and other 44 strategies prescribed by the school district which may 45 include but are not limited to the following: 46 (1) Small group instruction. 47 (2) Reduced teacher-student ratios. 48 (3) More frequent progress monitoring. 49 (4) Tutoring or mentoring. 50 -29- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 29/ 40
(5) Transition classes containing students in 1 grades three and four. 2 (6) Extended school day, week, or year. 3 (7) Summer reading programs. 4 c. At regular intervals, apprise the parent or 5 guardian of academic and other progress being made 6 by the student and give the parent or guardian other 7 useful information. 8 d. Implement a policy for the midyear promotion of 9 any student retained under subsection 1, paragraph “c” , 10 who can demonstrate that the student is a successful 11 and independent reader, reading at or above grade 12 level, and ready to be promoted to grade four. Tools 13 that school districts may use in reevaluating any 14 student retained may include subsequent assessments, 15 alternative assessments, and portfolio reviews, 16 identified by rule pursuant to section 256.7, 17 subsection 31. Students promoted during the school 18 year after November 1 shall demonstrate proficiency 19 pursuant to guidelines adopted by rule pursuant to 20 section 256.7, subsection 31. 21 e. In addition to required reading enhancement and 22 acceleration strategies, provide parents of students 23 who are retained under subsection 1, paragraph “c” , 24 with a plan outlined in a parental contract, including 25 participation in regular parent-guided home reading. 26 f. Establish, using funds received pursuant to 27 section 257.10, subsection 11, a reading enhancement 28 and acceleration development initiative designed to 29 prevent the retention of grade three students and 30 to offer intensive accelerated reading instruction 31 to grade three students who fail to meet standards 32 for promotion to grade four and to each kindergarten 33 through grade three student who is assessed as 34 exhibiting a reading deficiency. The initiative shall 35 comply with all of the following criteria: 36 (1) Be provided to all kindergarten through 37 grade three students at risk of retention under this 38 section. The assessment initiative shall measure 39 phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and 40 comprehension. 41 (2) Be provided during regular school hours in 42 addition to the regular reading instruction. 43 (3) Provide a reading curriculum that meets 44 guidelines adopted pursuant to section 256.7, 45 subsection 31, and at a minimum has the following 46 specifications: 47 (a) Assists students assessed as exhibiting a 48 reading deficiency in developing the ability to read 49 at grade level. 50 -30- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 30/ 40
(b) Provides skill development in phonemic 1 awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and 2 comprehension. 3 (c) Includes a scientifically based and reliable 4 assessment. 5 (d) Provides initial and ongoing analysis of each 6 student’s reading progress. 7 (e) Is implemented during regular school hours. 8 (f) Provides a curriculum in core academic subjects 9 to assist the student in maintaining or meeting 10 proficiency levels for the appropriate grade in all 11 academic subjects. 12 g. Report to the department of education the 13 specific intensive reading interventions and supports 14 implemented by the school district pursuant to this 15 section. The department shall annually prescribe the 16 components of required or requested reports, including 17 but not limited to a report on the number of students 18 retained under this section. 19 h. Provide a student who has been retained in grade 20 three and who has received intensive instructional 21 services but is still not ready for grade promotion, 22 as determined by the school district, the option of 23 being placed in a transitional instructional setting. 24 Such setting shall specifically be designed to 25 produce learning gains sufficient to meet grade four 26 performance standards while continuing to remediate the 27 areas of reading deficiency. 28 4. Notwithstanding subsection 1, paragraph “b” , 29 subparagraph (4), or any other provision of law to 30 the contrary, a school district shall not be required 31 to retain a student in grade three who exhibits a 32 substantial deficiency in reading in accordance with 33 this section until the school year beginning July 1, 34 2016. This subsection is repealed July 1, 2016. 35 DIVISION XI 36 HOME RULE AUTHORITY 37 Sec. 54. NEW SECTION . 274.3 Exercise of powers —— 38 construction. 39 1. The board of directors of a school district 40 shall operate, control, and supervise all public 41 schools located within its district boundaries and may 42 exercise any broad and implied power related to the 43 operation, control, and supervision of those public 44 schools except as expressly prohibited or prescribed by 45 the Constitution of the State of Iowa or by statute. 46 2. Notwithstanding subsection 1, the board of 47 directors of a school district shall not have power to 48 levy any tax unless expressly authorized by the general 49 assembly. 50 -31- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 31/ 40
3. This section shall not apply to a research and 1 development school as defined in section 256G.2 or to 2 a laboratory school as defined in section 265.1. The 3 board of directors of a school district in which such a 4 research and development school or laboratory school 5 is located shall not exercise over such a school any 6 powers granted to the board by subsection 1. 7 4. This chapter, chapter 257 and chapters 275 8 through 301, and other statutes relating to the 9 boards of directors of school districts and to school 10 districts shall be liberally construed to effectuate 11 the purposes of subsection 1. 12 DIVISION XII 13 ONLINE LEARNING INTERIM STUDY 14 Sec. 55. ONLINE LEARNING —— INTERIM STUDY. The 15 legislative council is requested to establish an 16 interim study committee relating to online learning 17 and programming for school districts and related 18 educational issues. The objective of the study shall 19 be to review the appropriate use of online learning by 20 school districts, the appropriate levels and sources 21 of funding for online learning, partnerships between 22 school districts and private providers of online 23 programs, and the potential use of online learning as 24 the exclusive means to provide coursework required 25 under the state’s educational standards. The study 26 shall identify opportunities between interested 27 agencies and entities involved in or potentially 28 involved in online learning activities, including 29 but not limited to K-12 schools, area education 30 agencies, institutions of higher learning, the 31 public broadcasting division of the department of 32 education, the department of education, and the Iowa 33 communications network. The committee is directed to 34 submit its findings and recommendations in a report to 35 the general assembly by December 14, 2012. 36 DIVISION XIII 37 ADVANCED PLACEMENT PERFORMANCE FUNDING 38 Sec. 56. NEW SECTION . 257.16B Advanced placement 39 performance funding. 40 1. For budget years beginning on or after July 41 1, 2014, the department of management shall allocate 42 from amounts appropriated by the general assembly to 43 the department and from other moneys available to and 44 obtained or accepted by the department for providing 45 advanced placement performance funding for school 46 districts as provided in this section. 47 2. a. Each school district shall receive an amount 48 equal to the school district’s total number of advanced 49 placement students divided by the total number of 50 -32- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 32/ 40
advanced placement students in the state, and then 1 multiplied by the amount of moneys available to provide 2 advanced placement performance funding for the budget 3 year under subsection 1. The department of education 4 shall certify to the department of management the total 5 number of advanced placement students enrolled in each 6 school district. 7 b. The department of management shall on or before 8 July 1 of the budget year notify each school district 9 of the amount of advanced placement performance funding 10 under this section. 11 c. Payments made to school districts under this 12 section are miscellaneous income and may be used for 13 any school district general fund purpose. 14 3. For purposes of this section, “advanced placement 15 student” means a student who was enrolled in the 16 school district during the school year preceding the 17 base year, who was enrolled in one or more advanced 18 placement courses during such school year as provided 19 under section 261E.4, and who also achieved a score 20 on the advanced placement examination for at least 21 one such course of three or higher on the advanced 22 placement five-point scale. 23 4. The state board of education shall adopt rules 24 under chapter 17A necessary to implement this section, 25 including rules that prescribe all necessary reporting 26 requirements for school districts. 27 DIVISION XIV 28 PROFESSIONAL SERVICE AND GUIDANCE COUNSELORS 29 Sec. 57. Section 256.9, Code Supplement 2011, is 30 amended by adding the following new subsection: 31 NEW SUBSECTION . 65. a. Collaborate with, at 32 a minimum, the board of educational examiners; the 33 Iowa association of community college trustees; the 34 association of Iowa area education agencies; the Iowa 35 school counselor association; the economic development 36 authority; the department of workforce development; 37 the governor’s science, technology, engineering, and 38 mathematics advisory council; and students recommended 39 by the Iowa jobs for America’s graduates program; or 40 successor entities, to develop standards and procedures 41 for the approval of professional service and secondary 42 guidance counselor preparation and professional 43 development programs that, upon approval by the 44 department, accredited postsecondary institutions which 45 grant postgraduate degrees may offer to persons seeking 46 authorization by the board of educational examiners 47 to serve as secondary school guidance counselors or 48 to provide professional services in Iowa schools. 49 A collaboration as specified in this subsection 50 -33- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 33/ 40
shall include representation from any stakeholder 1 organization willing to assist the department in 2 meeting the requirements of this subsection. 3 b. Community colleges, the economic development 4 authority, and the department of workforce development 5 shall consult and coordinate with employment and 6 workplace stakeholders in assisting the director in 7 developing standards and procedures for the approval of 8 programs pursuant to this subsection. 9 c. Accredited postsecondary institutions that offer 10 programs approved pursuant to this subsection shall 11 coordinate with community colleges to ensure that 12 the professional development programs approved under 13 this subsection are offered throughout the state at 14 convenient times. 15 d. The requirements for coursework and programs 16 approved pursuant to this subsection shall include but 17 not be limited to the following: 18 (1) Provision of information regarding career 19 exploration, planning, and development assistance; 20 and opportunities available to Iowa’s students from 21 targeted industries as defined in section 15.411, 22 subsection 1, as well as industries requiring skilled 23 workers with educational backgrounds in science, 24 technology, engineering, or mathematics. 25 (2) Elements to encourage the involvement of 26 parents in career exploration and planning with their 27 children. 28 (3) Elements to encourage the involvement of 29 elementary counselors in career exploration and 30 planning with their students. 31 (4) One semester credit or the equivalent 32 issued by a community college or other accredited 33 postsecondary institution in Iowa for coursework 34 or professional development in career exploration, 35 career education, and career planning. If offered by 36 a community college, the coursework shall be offered 37 at the resident tuition rate set pursuant to section 38 260C.14, subsection 2, to students enrolled in approved 39 professional service and guidance counselor preparation 40 programs and to persons renewing their professional 41 service or secondary guidance counselor licenses or 42 endorsements pursuant to section 272.9B. If a community 43 college fails to offer coursework or professional 44 development in career exploration, career education, 45 and career planning by July 1, 2013, the provisions 46 of section 272.9B shall not apply to an applicant 47 described in that section who resides within the 48 boundaries of the community college and who is employed 49 by an Iowa school as a secondary guidance counselor, 50 -34- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 34/ 40
until July 1, 2014, or until twelve months following 1 the date upon which the coursework is made available by 2 the community college, whichever is later. 3 e. The director shall establish an application and 4 review process for approval of programs developed and 5 implemented pursuant to this subsection. 6 f. For purposes of this subsection, “professional 7 service” refers to preparation and professional 8 development programs for, and licensure and endorsement 9 of, persons who are authorized under chapter 272 to 10 provide services in Iowa schools as a school counselor. 11 g. This subsection shall not be construed to 12 require that an accredited postsecondary institution 13 offering a major course of study related to the 14 relevant coursework offered in programs approved 15 pursuant to this subsection establish additional credit 16 requirements to graduate or achieve certification from 17 the institution in the related major course of study 18 from the institution. However, only coursework and 19 programs that meet the requirements established by the 20 director in accordance with this subsection shall be 21 approved by the director. 22 Sec. 58. NEW SECTION . 272.9B Professional service 23 and guidance counselor licenses. 24 Beginning July 1, 2014, except as provided in 25 section 256.9, subsection 65, paragraph “d” , the board 26 shall require applicants for professional service and 27 secondary guidance counselor licenses and endorsements, 28 and for the renewal of such licenses and endorsements, 29 to have successfully completed a professional service 30 or secondary guidance counselor preparation program 31 or professional development program, as appropriate, 32 approved in accordance with section 256.9, subsection 33 65. 34 Sec. 59. Section 279.61, Code 2011, is amended by 35 adding the following new subsection: 36 NEW SUBSECTION . 3. Beginning July 1, 2015, except 37 as otherwise provided in section 256.9, subsection 65, 38 paragraph “d” , career and academic guidance counseling 39 services shall be provided by the board of directors 40 of a school district to students enrolled in grades 41 nine through twelve only by persons issued professional 42 service or secondary guidance counselor licenses or 43 endorsements pursuant to section 272.9B, or who hold 44 a license issued by the board and meet the renewal 45 requirements for a license pursuant to section 272.9B. 46 DIVISION XV 47 TRAINING, PREPARATION AND LICENSURE PROVISIONS 48 Sec. 60. Section 256.7, subsection 30, Code 49 Supplement 2011, is amended to read as follows: 50 -35- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 35/ 40
30. Set standards and procedures for the approval 1 of training programs for individuals who seek an 2 authorization issued by the board of educational 3 examiners for employment the following: 4 a. Employment as a school business official 5 responsible for the financial operations of a school 6 district. 7 b. Employment as a school administration manager 8 responsible for assisting a school principal in 9 performing noninstructional duties. 10 Sec. 61. Section 256.16, subsection 1, Code 2011, 11 is amended by striking the subsection and inserting in 12 lieu thereof the following: 13 1. Pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 5, the 14 state board shall adopt rules requiring all higher 15 education institutions providing approved practitioner 16 preparation programs to do the following: 17 a. (1) Administer a basic skills test, which 18 has been approved by the director, to practitioner 19 preparation program admission candidates. Candidates 20 who do not successfully pass the test with a score 21 above the twenty-fifth percentile nationally shall be 22 denied admission to the program. 23 (2) A student shall not successfully complete the 24 program unless the student achieves scores above the 25 twenty-fifth percentile nationally on an assessment 26 approved by the director in pedagogy and at least one 27 content area, or on a valid and reliable subject-area 28 specific, performance-based assessment for preservice 29 teacher candidates, centered on student learning. 30 b. Include preparation in reading programs and 31 integrate reading strategies into content area methods 32 coursework. 33 c. Include in the professional education program, 34 preparation that contributes to the education of 35 students with disabilities and students who are 36 gifted and talented, and preparation in classroom 37 management addressing high-risk behaviors including 38 but not limited to behaviors related to substance 39 abuse. Preparation required under this paragraph must 40 be successfully completed before graduation from the 41 practitioner preparation program. 42 Sec. 62. Section 272.1, Code 2011, is amended by 43 adding the following new subsection: 44 NEW SUBSECTION . 11A. “School administration 45 manager” means a person who is authorized to assist 46 a school principal in performing noninstructional 47 administrative duties. 48 Sec. 63. Section 272.2, subsection 13, Code 49 Supplement 2011, is amended to read as follows: 50 -36- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 36/ 40
13. Adopt rules to provide for nontraditional 1 preparation options for licensing persons who hold 2 a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or 3 university, who do not meet other requirements for 4 licensure establish alternative licensure pathways for 5 an initial teacher license and an initial administrator 6 license and endorsement pursuant to section 272.16 . 7 The rules shall prescribe standards and procedures 8 for the approval of alternative principal licensing 9 programs which may be offered in this state by 10 designated agencies located within or outside this 11 state. Procedures provided for approval of alternative 12 principal licensing programs shall include procedures 13 for enforcement of the prescribed standards. 14 Sec. 64. NEW SECTION . 272.16 Alternative licensure 15 and endorsement. 16 1. The board shall establish alternative licensure 17 pathways for an initial teacher license and an initial 18 administrator license and endorsement. 19 2. The alternative pathway for an initial teacher 20 license shall include all of the following components: 21 a. A requirement that the applicant for the 22 alternative pathway to an initial teacher license meet 23 all of the following criteria: 24 (1) Hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from 25 a regionally accredited postsecondary institution and 26 twenty-four postsecondary credit hours in the content 27 area to be taught at the licensure level sought by the 28 applicant; or, in order to teach a foreign language, 29 the applicant shall hold at least a bachelor’s degree 30 and be a native speaker of the language to be taught. 31 (2) Have successfully passed a background check 32 conducted in accordance with section 272.2, subsection 33 17. 34 (3) Have at least three recent consecutive years of 35 successful, relevant work experience. 36 (4) Have successfully passed a basic skills test, 37 approved by the director, for acceptance. An applicant 38 utilizing the alternative pathway to an initial teacher 39 license shall not be issued such a license unless 40 the student achieves scores above the twenty-fifth 41 percentile nationally on an examination approved by the 42 board for knowledge of pedagogies and in at least one 43 content area. 44 b. A requirement that the person issued an initial 45 teacher license pursuant to this subsection shall, 46 during the person’s first three years of teaching, 47 successfully complete a beginning teacher mentoring and 48 induction program pursuant to section 284.5, and shall 49 successfully complete eighteen postsecondary credit 50 -37- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 37/ 40
hours of pedagogy coursework before the person may be 1 issued a license beyond the initial license. 2 3. The alternative pathway for an initial 3 administrator license shall include all of the 4 following components: 5 a. A requirement that the applicant for the 6 alternative pathway to an initial administrator license 7 meet all of the following criteria: 8 (1) Hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a 9 regionally accredited postsecondary institution. 10 (2) Have successfully passed a background check 11 conducted in accordance with section 272.2, subsection 12 17. 13 b. A requirement that a person who is issued an 14 initial administrator license through the alternative 15 pathway specified by this subsection may be employed by 16 a school district or accredited nonpublic school and, 17 for the first consecutive three years of employment 18 as a building principal, shall be supervised and 19 mentored by a person who holds a valid professional 20 administrator license. 21 4. A person with at least five recent years of 22 successful experience as a professional educator, and 23 who is enrolled in an alternative principal licensing 24 program approved by the board, may qualify for an 25 initial administrator license. 26 5. A person with at least five recent years of 27 successful management experience in business; industry; 28 local, state, or federal government; or the military 29 service of the United States, and who has successfully 30 completed an alternative principal licensing program 31 approved by the board, may qualify for an initial 32 administrator license. 33 6. a. The alternative pathway for an initial 34 administrator endorsement for school superintendents 35 and area education agency administrators shall require 36 an applicant to meet all of the following criteria: 37 (1) Hold, at a minimum, a bachelor’s degree from a 38 regionally accredited postsecondary institution. 39 (2) Have successfully passed a background check 40 conducted in accordance with section 272.2, subsection 41 17. 42 (3) Have at least five recent years of successful, 43 relevant experience as a professional educator or 44 management experience in business; industry; local, 45 state, or federal government; or the military service 46 of the United States. 47 b. A person issued an initial administrator 48 endorsement for superintendents or area education 49 agency administrators under this subsection shall 50 -38- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 38/ 40
successfully complete a beginning mentoring and 1 induction program with a mentor who is a superintendent 2 or area education agency administrator, as appropriate. 3 c. A person issued an initial administrator 4 endorsement for superintendents or area education 5 agency administrators pursuant to this subsection, 6 who successfully completes three years of experience 7 as a superintendent or area education agency 8 administrator, may be issued a license beyond the 9 initial administrator endorsement. 10 7. Upon application, a person who holds an initial 11 administrator license issued pursuant to subsection 3, 12 and who has three years of successful experience as a 13 principal, shall be issued a professional administrator 14 license. 15 Sec. 65. Section 272.25, subsection 1, Code 2011, 16 is amended to read as follows: 17 1. A requirement that each student admitted to 18 an approved practitioner preparation program must 19 participate in field experiences that include both 20 observation and participation in teaching activities in 21 a variety of school settings. These field experiences 22 shall comprise a total of at least fifty hours in 23 duration, at least ten hours of which shall occur prior 24 to a student’s acceptance in an approved practitioner 25 preparation program. The student teaching experience 26 shall be a minimum of twelve fifteen weeks in duration 27 during the student’s final year of the practitioner 28 preparation program. 29 Sec. 66. Section 272.31, Code 2011, is amended by 30 adding the following new subsection: 31 NEW SUBSECTION . 2A. The board shall issue a school 32 administration manager authorization to an individual 33 who successfully completes a training program that 34 meets the standards set by the state board pursuant to 35 section 256.7, subsection 30, and who complies with 36 rules adopted by the state board pursuant to subsection 37 3. 38 DIVISION XVI 39 KINDERGARTEN REQUIREMENT 40 Sec. 67. Section 299.1A, Code 2011, is amended to 41 read as follows: 42 299.1A Compulsory attendance age. 43 1. A Except as provided in subsection 2, a 44 child who has reached the age of six and is under 45 sixteen years of age by September 15 is of compulsory 46 attendance age. However, if a child enrolled in a 47 school district or accredited nonpublic school reaches 48 the age of sixteen on or after September 15, the child 49 remains of compulsory age until the end of the regular 50 -39- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 39/ 40
school calendar. 1 2. A child who has reached the age of five by 2 September 15 and who is enrolled in a school district 3 shall be considered to be of compulsory attendance age 4 unless the parent or guardian of the child notifies 5 the school district in writing of the parent’s or 6 guardian’s intent to remove the child from enrollment 7 in the school district. 8 DIVISION XVII 9 STATE MANDATE 10 Sec. 68. STATE MANDATE FUNDING SPECIFIED. In 11 accordance with section 25B.2, subsection 3, the state 12 cost of requiring compliance with any state mandate 13 included in this Act shall be paid by a school district 14 from state school foundation aid received by the school 15 district under section 257.16. This specification 16 of the payment of the state cost shall be deemed to 17 meet all of the state funding-related requirements of 18 section 25B.2, subsection 3, and no additional state 19 funding shall be necessary for the full implementation 20 of this Act by and enforcement of this Act against all 21 affected school districts. > 22 2. Title page, line 4, before < school > by inserting 23 < the department of management, > 24 3. By renumbering as necessary. 25 ______________________________ COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION FORRISTALL of Pottawattamie, Chairperson -40- SF2284.5887 (1) 84 kh/rj 40/ 40 #2. #3.