House File 21HOUSE FILE BY WISE Passed House, Date Passed Senate, Date Vote: Ayes Nays Vote: Ayes Nays Approved A BILL FOR 1 An Act providing for the establishment of a high school reform 2 initiative, and making an appropriation. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 1178HH 82 5 ak/je/5 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. Section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph a, Code 1 2 2007, is amended to read as follows: 1 3 a. Requirements that all school districts and accredited 1 4 nonpublic schools develop, implement, and file with the 1 5 department a comprehensive school improvement plan that 1 6 includes, but is not limited to, demonstrated school, 1 7 parental, and community involvement in assessing educational 1 8 needs, establishing local education standards and student 1 9 achievement levels, and, as applicable, the consolidation of 1 10 federal and state planning, goal=setting, and reporting 1 11 requirements. The plan shall also include high school 1 12 improvement efforts incorporating research=based initiatives 1 13 that will establish a rigorous and engaging curriculum, a 1 14 personalized learning environment, small learning communities, 1 15 extension of the classroom into the workplace and community, 1 16 professional development, and student assessment with program 1 17 evaluation. 1 18 Sec. 2. Section 256.9, Code 2007, is amended by adding the 1 19 following new subsection: 1 20 NEW SUBSECTION. 55. Develop and make available to school 1 21 districts a list of Iowa colleges and universities that will 1 22 provide college credit for students scoring a three or higher 1 23 on advanced placement examinations. The director, in 1 24 coordination with the secretary of the state board of regents, 1 25 shall convene a meeting with representatives from community 1 26 colleges, the state universities, and representatives from the 1 27 Iowa association of independent colleges and universities to 1 28 work cooperatively in developing the list. The list shall be 1 29 completed by January 1, 2008, distributed to all high schools 1 30 in the state enrolling students in advanced placement courses, 1 31 and updated and redistributed on an annual basis. 1 32 Sec. 3. Section 257.11, Code 2007, is amended by adding 1 33 the following new subsection: 1 34 NEW SUBSECTION. 5A. ADVANCED PLACEMENT COURSES. 1 35 a. For the school budget year beginning July 1, 2007, and 2 1 succeeding budget years, in order to provide additional funds 2 2 to school districts that offer advanced placement courses, a 2 3 supplementary weighting plan for determining enrollment is 2 4 adopted. 2 5 b. A supplementary weighting of six=hundredths per pupil 2 6 shall be assigned to students enrolled in advanced placement 2 7 courses. A district shall be eligible for the supplementary 2 8 weighting for each student enrolled in each advanced placement 2 9 course. Amounts received for the supplementary weighting 2 10 shall be utilized by a school district to increase the number 2 11 of teachers with the training to teach advanced placement 2 12 courses. 2 13 c. Receipt of supplementary weighting pursuant to this 2 14 subsection for second and subsequent years shall be contingent 2 15 upon submission to the department of education by October 15 2 16 annually of information documenting utilization of the amounts 2 17 received for the identification and training of advanced 2 18 placement teachers. 2 19 Sec. 4. Section 257.11, Code 2007, is amended by adding 2 20 the following new subsection: 2 21 NEW SUBSECTION. 5B. PERSONALIZED LEARNING. 2 22 a. For the school budget year beginning July 1, 2007, and 2 23 succeeding budget years, in order to provide additional funds 2 24 to school districts that establish a personalized learning 2 25 community environment, a supplementary weighting plan for 2 26 determining enrollment is adopted. 2 27 b. A supplementary weighting of two=hundredths per pupil 2 28 shall be assigned to students enrolled in a personalized 2 29 learning community environment. For purposes of this 2 30 subsection, a personalized learning community environment is a 2 31 program which provides for the development and ongoing review 2 32 of personalized learning plans that assist students in 2 33 achieving their postsecondary education goals. A personalized 2 34 learning community environment shall emphasize sustained 2 35 relationships between students and adults, with each student 3 1 enrolled in the program assigned or linked, to the extent 3 2 possible, to the same adult advocate, mentor, or advisor 3 3 throughout the student's entire four years of high school. 3 4 c. To be eligible for supplementary weighting pursuant to 3 5 this subsection, a school district shall submit a personalized 3 6 learning community environment developmental plan to the 3 7 department of education by October 15. Receipt of 3 8 supplementary weighting pursuant to this subsection for second 3 9 and subsequent years shall be contingent upon submission to 3 10 the department of education by October 15 annually of 3 11 information documenting utilization of the amounts received 3 12 for implementation of the plan. 3 13 Sec. 5. Section 257.11, Code 2007, is amended by adding 3 14 the following new subsection: 3 15 NEW SUBSECTION. 5C. TALENT DEVELOPMENT CURRICULUM. 3 16 a. For the school budget year beginning July 1, 2007, and 3 17 succeeding budget years, in order to provide additional funds 3 18 to school districts that establish a talent development 3 19 curriculum, a supplementary weighting plan for determining 3 20 enrollment is adopted. 3 21 b. A supplementary weighting of one=tenth of the 3 22 percentage of the pupil's school day during which the pupil 3 23 attends classes included within a talent development 3 24 curriculum shall be assigned. For purposes of this 3 25 subsection, a talent development curriculum shall provide 3 26 additional, accelerated and innovative reading and math 3 27 instruction to students in ninth and tenth grades identified 3 28 as possessing relatively weak skills in one or more core 3 29 academic areas, to assist them in reaching grade=level 3 30 proficiency and succeeding in a college preparatory 3 31 curriculum. In structuring the curriculum, school districts 3 32 are encouraged to consider the use of block scheduling, after= 3 33 school programs, and summer programs to provide the 3 34 additional, accelerated instruction. 3 35 c. To be eligible for supplementary weighting pursuant to 4 1 this subsection, a school district shall submit a talent 4 2 development curriculum plan to the department of education by 4 3 October 15. Receipt of supplementary weighting pursuant to 4 4 this subsection for second and subsequent years shall be 4 5 contingent upon submission to the department of education by 4 6 October 15 annually of information documenting utilization of 4 7 the amounts received for implementation of the plan. 4 8 Sec. 6. NEW SECTION. 261.26 TWENTY=FIRST CENTURY IOWA 4 9 SCHOLARS PROGRAM AND FUND. 4 10 1. PROGRAM == ELIGIBILITY. A twenty=first century Iowa 4 11 scholars program is established to be administered by the 4 12 college student aid commission. A person who meets the 4 13 following requirements is eligible for the program: 4 14 a. Is a resident of Iowa and a citizen of the United 4 15 States or a lawful permanent resident. 4 16 b. Is a student enrolled in grade seven or grade eight in 4 17 a school district or accredited nonpublic school in Iowa, and 4 18 agrees in writing, on a document also signed by the student's 4 19 parent or guardian, that the student will: 4 20 (1) Graduate from a public or accredited nonpublic high 4 21 school in Iowa whose curricula meets the admission criteria of 4 22 a community college, an institution of higher learning under 4 23 the control of the state board of regents, or an accredited 4 24 private institution as defined in section 261.9. 4 25 (2) Complete a core curriculum as provided in section 4 26 256.7, subsection 26, unless the student has a special or 4 27 alternative means for satisfying graduation requirements under 4 28 an individualized educational plan developed for the student. 4 29 (3) Achieve a cumulative grade point average upon 4 30 graduation of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 grading scale, or its 4 31 equivalent if another grading scale is used, for courses taken 4 32 by the student in grades nine through twelve. 4 33 (4) Not illegally use controlled substances as defined in 4 34 section 124.101. 4 35 (5) Not use tobacco products. 5 1 (6) Not operate a motor vehicle while intoxicated as 5 2 prohibited by section 321J.2 or 321J.2A. 5 3 (7) Not commit a delinquent act as defined in section 5 4 232.2; or become a runaway child as defined in section 710.8; 5 5 or a truant as defined in section 299.8. 5 6 c. Is a child receiving foster care services paid for by 5 7 the state under section 234.35 or funded in whole or in part 5 8 under Title IV=E of the federal Social Security Act; or is a 5 9 child eligible for free or reduced price meals under the 5 10 federal National School Lunch Act and the federal Child 5 11 Nutrition Act of 1966, 42 U.S.C. } 1751=1785. 5 12 d. Applies in a timely manner for admission to a community 5 13 college, an institution of higher learning under the control 5 14 of the state board of regents, or an accredited private 5 15 institution as defined in section 261.9, and is accepted for 5 16 admission. 5 17 e. Applies in a timely manner for any federal and state 5 18 student financial assistance available to the student to 5 19 attend a community college, an institution of higher learning 5 20 under the control of the state board of regents, or an 5 21 accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9. 5 22 f. Files a new application, and parents' confidential 5 23 statement, as applicable, annually on the basis of which the 5 24 applicant's eligibility for a renewed scholarship will be 5 25 evaluated and determined. 5 26 2. FUND ESTABLISHED. A twenty=first century Iowa scholars 5 27 fund is created in the state treasury as a separate fund under 5 28 the control of the commission. All moneys deposited or paid 5 29 into the fund are appropriated and made available to the 5 30 college student aid commission to be used for scholarships for 5 31 students meeting all of the requirements of this section, 5 32 including meeting the requirements agreed to in subsection 1, 5 33 paragraph "b". The commission shall deposit refunds paid to 5 34 the commission in accordance with subsection 3 into the 5 35 twenty=first century Iowa scholars fund. Notwithstanding 6 1 section 8.33, any balance in the fund on June 30 of each 6 2 fiscal year shall not revert to the general fund of the state, 6 3 but shall be available for the purposes of this section in 6 4 subsequent fiscal years. Scholarships awarded pursuant to 6 5 this section shall not exceed the resident tuition rate and 6 6 mandatory fees for the program of enrollment established for 6 7 institutions of higher learning under the control of the state 6 8 board of regents. 6 9 3. DISCONTINUATION OF ATTENDANCE == REMITTANCE. If the 6 10 commission finds that a student receiving a scholarship under 6 11 the program discontinues attendance before the end of any 6 12 academic period or has violated the agreement signed pursuant 6 13 to subsection 1, but the discontinuance or violation of the 6 14 agreement occurs after scholarship moneys have been paid for 6 15 the academic period, the entire amount of any refund due the 6 16 student, up to the amount of any payments made by the state, 6 17 shall be remitted by the postsecondary institution to the 6 18 commission. 6 19 4. EXTENT OF SCHOLARSHIP. A qualified resident student in 6 20 good standing at a community college, an institution of higher 6 21 learning under the control of the state board of regents, or 6 22 an accredited private institution as defined in section 261.9, 6 23 may receive scholarships for not more than eight semesters of 6 24 undergraduate study or the trimester or quarter equivalent if 6 25 attending the institution on a full=time basis, or for not 6 26 more than sixteen semesters of undergraduate study or the 6 27 trimester or quarter equivalent if attending on a part=time 6 28 basis. A qualified resident student may defer acceptance of 6 29 scholarships awarded under this section for up to two years 6 30 following the student's graduation from high school in order 6 31 that the student may pursue military or other obligations. 6 32 5. MENTORING PROGRAMS OFFERED BY INSTITUTIONS. Each 6 33 community college, institution of higher learning under the 6 34 control of the state board of regents, or accredited private 6 35 institution which enrolls a student receiving a scholarship in 7 1 accordance with this section shall develop a specific 7 2 mentoring program to assist the scholarship recipients through 7 3 particularized academic and social counseling. 7 4 Sec. 7. Section 284.6, subsection 2, Code 2007, is amended 7 5 to read as follows: 7 6 2. The department shall identify models of career 7 7 development practices that produce evidence of the link 7 8 between teacher training and improved student learning. The 7 9 models shall include examples of high school improvement 7 10 efforts incorporating research=based initiatives that will 7 11 establish a rigorous and engaging curriculum, a personalized 7 12 learning environment, small learning communities, extension of 7 13 the classroom into the workplace and community, professional 7 14 development, and student assessment with program evaluation. 7 15 Sec. 8. MODEL HIGH SCHOOL CORE CURRICULUM == 7 16 APPROPRIATION. There is appropriated from the general fund of 7 17 the state to the department of education for the fiscal year 7 18 beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008, the 7 19 following amount, or so much thereof as is necessary, to be 7 20 used for the purpose designated. 7 21 For distribution per pupil to each school district based 7 22 upon the district's actual enrollment of eighth grade pupils, 7 23 on the same basis as state aid payments made pursuant to 7 24 section 257.16, subsection 2, and utilized to assist school 7 25 districts in cooperatively developing with each pupil enrolled 7 26 in the eighth grade a core curriculum plan, and to assist 7 27 school districts in the development and implementation of a 7 28 model core curriculum as provided in section 256.7, subsection 7 29 26: 7 30 .................................................. $ 5,000,000 7 31 Sec. 9. TWENTY=FIRST CENTURY IOWA SCHOLARS PROGRAM 7 32 PROMOTION AND SUPPORT STUDY. The college student aid 7 33 commission shall conduct a study of the promotional and 7 34 support components needed to make Iowa students who are 7 35 potentially eligible for the twenty=first century Iowa 8 1 scholars program aware of the program and enthusiastic about 8 2 participating in the program. The commission shall also 8 3 develop a plan to promote the program, provide information 8 4 about the program and easy access to program forms and 8 5 applications, and encourage participation in the program by 8 6 potentially eligible students. The plan shall provide for a 8 7 webpage, special scholar publication, a toll=free telephone 8 8 number, and the placement and utilization of up to fifteen 8 9 regional program support sites. The regional support sites 8 10 shall provide tutoring, mentoring, summer camps, cultural and 8 11 arts outings, sports and recreational activities, college 8 12 visits, career preparation, job shadowing, internships, study 8 13 skills, literacy programs, newsletters, community service 8 14 projects, and parent activities. The commission shall 8 15 identify the amount anticipated to be necessary to provide 8 16 funding for the scholarships, based on the results of the 8 17 study and preliminary estimates of the number of eligible 8 18 eighth grade pupils. The commission shall submit its plan, 8 19 findings, recommendations, and a fiscal analysis of the plan 8 20 to the senate and house of representatives standing committees 8 21 on education not later than December 14, 2007. 8 22 EXPLANATION 8 23 This bill establishes a high school reform initiative 8 24 relating to student coursework and teacher training and 8 25 development in grades 9 through 12. 8 26 The bill adds to the required contents of the comprehensive 8 27 school improvement plan established in Code section 256.7, 8 28 subsection 21, the inclusion of high school improvement 8 29 efforts incorporating research=based initiatives that will 8 30 establish a rigorous and engaging curriculum, a personalized 8 31 learning environment, small learning communities, extension of 8 32 the classroom into the workplace and community, professional 8 33 development, and student assessment with program evaluation. 8 34 The bill also provides for the development of examples of such 8 35 initiatives for incorporation into the teacher career 9 1 development model contained in Code section 284.6, subsection 9 2 2. 9 3 The bill provides that the director of the department of 9 4 education shall develop a list of Iowa colleges and 9 5 universities that will provide college credit for students 9 6 scoring a three or higher on advanced placement examinations. 9 7 The bill provides that the list shall be developed by the 9 8 director, working in conjunction with the secretary of the 9 9 state board of regents, based on input obtained in a meeting 9 10 with representatives from community colleges, the state 9 11 universities, and representatives from the Iowa association of 9 12 independent colleges and universities. The bill specifies 9 13 that the list shall be completed by January 1, 2008, 9 14 distributed to all high schools in the state enrolling 9 15 students in advanced placement courses, and updated and 9 16 redistributed on an annual basis. 9 17 The bill expands opportunities for school districts to 9 18 receive supplementary weighting for enrollment. The bill 9 19 provides that for the school budget year beginning July 1, 9 20 2007, and succeeding budget years, a supplementary weighting 9 21 of .06 shall be available to provide additional funds to 9 22 school districts that offer advanced placement courses. The 9 23 weighting is assigned for each advanced placement course in 9 24 which each student is enrolled. The bill provides that the 9 25 supplementary weighting shall be utilized by a school district 9 26 to increase the number of teachers with the training to teach 9 27 advanced placement courses, and makes the receipt contingent 9 28 after the first year upon submission of documentation to the 9 29 department by October 15 annually regarding utilization of the 9 30 amounts received for the identification and training of 9 31 advanced placement teachers. 9 32 The bill additionally provides that for the school budget 9 33 year beginning July 1, 2007, and succeeding budget years, a 9 34 supplementary weighting of .02 per pupil will be available to 9 35 provide additional funds to school districts that establish a 10 1 personalized learning community environment. The bill defines 10 2 a personalized learning community environment as a program 10 3 which provides for the development and ongoing review of 10 4 personalized learning plans that assist students in achieving 10 5 their postsecondary education goals, emphasizing sustained 10 6 relationships between students and adults, with each student 10 7 enrolled in the program assigned or linked, to the extent 10 8 possible, to the same adult advocate, mentor, or advisor 10 9 throughout the entire four years of high school. Receipt of 10 10 the weighting for the first year is contingent upon the 10 11 submission of a personalized learning community environment 10 12 developmental plan to the department by October 15, with 10 13 continued receipt for second and subsequent years requiring 10 14 submission to the department by October 15 annually of 10 15 documentation showing utilization of the amounts received for 10 16 implementation of the plan. 10 17 The bill further provides that for the school budget year 10 18 beginning July 1, 2007, and succeeding budget years, 10 19 supplementary weighting will be available to school districts 10 20 that establish a talent development curriculum. The bill 10 21 provides that a supplementary weighting of .1 of the 10 22 percentage of the pupil's school day during which a pupil 10 23 attends classes included within a talent development 10 24 curriculum shall be assigned. The bill defines a talent 10 25 development curriculum as providing additional, accelerated 10 26 and innovative reading and math instruction to students in 10 27 ninth and tenth grades identified as possessing relatively 10 28 weak skills in one or more core academic areas, to assist them 10 29 in reaching grade=level proficiency and succeeding in a 10 30 college preparatory curriculum. The bill provides that in 10 31 structuring the curriculum, school districts are encouraged to 10 32 consider the use of block scheduling, after=school programs, 10 33 and summer programs to provide the additional, accelerated 10 34 instruction. Receipt of the supplementary weighting is 10 35 contingent upon the submission of a talent development 11 1 curriculum plan to the department by October 15, with 11 2 continued receipt for second and subsequent years contingent 11 3 upon submission to the department by October 15 annually of 11 4 information documenting utilization of the amounts received 11 5 for implementation of the plan. 11 6 The bill makes an appropriation from the general fund of 11 7 the state to the department of $5,000,000 for the fiscal year 11 8 beginning July 1, 2007, and ending June 30, 2008, to be 11 9 distributed per pupil to each school district based upon the 11 10 district's actual enrollment of eighth grade pupils, on the 11 11 same basis as state aid payments made pursuant to Code section 11 12 257.16, subsection 2, and utilized to assist school districts 11 13 in cooperatively developing with each pupil enrolled in the 11 14 eighth grade a core curriculum plan, and to assist school 11 15 districts in the development and implementation of a model 11 16 core curriculum as provided in Code section 256.7, subsection 11 17 26. 11 18 The bill creates a twenty=first century Iowa scholars 11 19 program and fund to be administered by the college student aid 11 20 commission to provide scholarships to pay the postsecondary 11 21 costs of tuition and mandatory fees for Iowa students who are 11 22 eligible for free or reduced price meals or are receiving 11 23 foster care who agree, in writing, in grade seven or eight, to 11 24 graduate with a 2.0 point or better grade point average, to 11 25 complete a core curriculum pursuant to Code section 256.7, 11 26 subsection 26, to refrain from illegal drug use, committing 11 27 delinquent acts, driving while intoxicated, tobacco use, and 11 28 truancy. The bill also requires the commission to conduct a 11 29 study of the program and to submit its plan, findings, 11 30 recommendations, and a fiscal analysis of the plan to the 11 31 senate and house of representatives standing committees on 11 32 education not later than December 14, 2007. 11 33 To establish eligibility, students must establish financial 11 34 need, meet all program eligibility requirements including 11 35 those agreed to in grade seven or eight, and apply for and be 12 1 accepted by an accredited postsecondary institution in Iowa. 12 2 A qualified resident student in good standing at an 12 3 accredited postsecondary institution may receive scholarships 12 4 for not more than eight semesters of undergraduate study or 12 5 the trimester or quarter equivalent if attending the 12 6 institution on a full=time basis, or for not more than 16 12 7 semesters or the trimester or quarter equivalent if attending 12 8 on a part=time basis. The student must annually file a new 12 9 application for review and evaluation of continued 12 10 eligibility. The student may also defer participation in the 12 11 scholarship program for up to two years in order to pursue 12 12 military or other obligations. 12 13 Each institution which enrolls a student receiving a 12 14 scholarship must develop a specific mentoring program to 12 15 assist the scholarship recipients through particularized 12 16 academic and social counseling. 12 17 The twenty=first century Iowa scholars fund is created in 12 18 the state treasury as a separate fund under the control of the 12 19 commission. All moneys deposited or paid into the fund are 12 20 appropriated and made available to the college student aid 12 21 commission to be used for scholarships as provided in this 12 22 section. 12 23 The plan the commission is charged with developing must 12 24 provide for a webpage, special scholar publication, a toll= 12 25 free telephone number, and the placement and utilization of up 12 26 to 15 regional program support sites. The sites must provide 12 27 tutoring, mentoring, summer camps, cultural and arts outings, 12 28 sports and recreational activities, college visits, career 12 29 preparation, job shadowing, internships, study skills, 12 30 literacy programs, newsletters, community service projects, 12 31 and parent activities. The commission is also charged with 12 32 identifying the amount anticipated to be necessary to provide 12 33 funding for the scholarships, based on the results of the 12 34 study and preliminary estimates of the number of eligible 12 35 eighth grade pupils. 13 1 The bill may include a state mandate as defined in Code 13 2 section 25B.3. The bill includes an appropriation to comply 13 3 with the state mandate funding=related requirements of Code 13 4 section 25B.2. The inclusion of the appropriation is intended 13 5 to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to 13 6 comply with any state mandates included in the bill. 13 7 LSB 1178HH 82 13 8 ak:rj/je/5.1