House File 153 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY FORD Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act relating to the development and administration by the 2 department of education of a program to identify and honor 3 schools for increasing the number of students enrolled in 4 advanced=level courses and reducing achievement gaps. 5 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 6 TLSB 2066HH 82 7 kh/gg/14 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 256.9, Code 2007, is amended by adding 1 2 the following new subsection: 1 3 NEW SUBSECTION. 55. Develop a program to annually 1 4 identify and honor schools that succeed in increasing the 1 5 number of students enrolled in grades nine through twelve in 1 6 advanced science, mathematics, and reading programs, and 1 7 schools that succeed in reducing the achievement gaps for any 1 8 subgroups of students in kindergarten through grade twelve as 1 9 identified by the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, 1 10 Pub. L. No. 107=110, and any federal regulations adopted 1 11 pursuant to the federal Act. The department shall establish 1 12 criteria for the recognition of exemplary schools and programs 1 13 in accordance with this subsection, and a process to publicly 1 14 honor the recipients of this recognition, and shall create a 1 15 noteworthy symbol or certificate of honor suitable for public 1 16 display in the community by the recipient schools. 1 17 EXPLANATION 1 18 This bill requires the director of the department of 1 19 education to develop a program to annually identify and honor 1 20 elementary and secondary schools that succeed in reducing 1 21 achievement gaps and secondary schools that increase the 1 22 number and diversity of students enrolled in advanced science, 1 23 mathematics, and reading programs; to establish criteria for 1 24 the recognition of exemplary schools and programs and a 1 25 process to publicly honor the recipients chosen; and to create 1 26 a noteworthy symbol or certificate of honor suitable for 1 27 public display in the community by the recipient schools. 1 28 LSB 2066HH 82 1 29 kh:nh/gg/14