House File 650 - Introduced HOUSE FILE BY FORD 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 task force to study 2 ninth grade academies and making an appropriation. 3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA: 4 TLSB 2612HH 83 5 kh/nh/14 PAG LIN 1 1 Section 1. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION == TASK FORCE ON NINTH 1 2 GRADE ACADEMIES, PROGRAMS, AND CURRICULUM. 1 3 1. The department of education shall convene a task force 1 4 to study the effects of ninth grade academies on student 1 5 achievement, student behavior, truancy, attendance, classroom 1 6 management, and students' social and academic transition to 1 7 high schools. The study shall include but not be limited to 1 8 identification of the essential components of successful ninth 1 9 grade academies operating in this state and other states, 1 10 including professional development programs for ninth grade 1 11 teachers, team teaching, tutoring, and implementation of a 1 12 challenging curriculum; and a review of single sex classes, 1 13 classrooms, and programs. 1 14 2. The director of the department of education shall 1 15 appoint members to the task force who shall include education 1 16 practitioners and stakeholders, including but not limited to 1 17 guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, administrators, 1 18 and teachers; parents and guardians; and other stakeholders as 1 19 appropriate. The task force shall select a chairperson from 1 20 its membership. A majority of the members of the task force 1 21 shall constitute a quorum. Members shall serve without 1 22 compensation, but shall receive their actual and necessary 1 23 expenses, including travel expenses. 1 24 3. The task force shall report its findings and 1 25 recommendations, including any recommendations for statutory 1 26 changes, to the state board of education and the general 1 27 assembly by January 15, 2010. 1 28 Sec. 2. APPROPRIATION == DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION. There 1 29 is appropriated from the general fund of the state to the 1 30 department of education for the fiscal year beginning July 1, 1 31 2009, and ending June 30, 2010, the following amount, or so 1 32 much thereof as is necessary, to be used for the purposes 1 33 designated: 1 34 For actual and necessary expenses, including travel 1 35 expenses, incurred by members of the task force on ninth grade 2 1 academies, programs, and curriculum established pursuant to 2 2 this Act: 2 3 .................................................. $ 5,000 2 4 EXPLANATION 2 5 This bill directs the department of education to convene a 2 6 task force to study the effects of ninth grade academies on 2 7 student achievement, student behavior, truancy, attendance, 2 8 classroom management, and students' social and academic 2 9 transition to high schools. The study shall include but not 2 10 be limited to identification of the essential components of 2 11 successful ninth grade academies operating in this state and 2 12 other states, including professional development programs for 2 13 ninth grade teachers, team teaching, tutoring, and 2 14 implementation of a challenging curriculum; and a review of 2 15 single sex classes, classrooms, and programs. 2 16 The director of the department is directed to appoint 2 17 members to the task force who shall include education 2 18 practitioners and stakeholders, including but not limited to 2 19 guidance counselors, curriculum specialists, administrators, 2 20 and teachers; parents and guardians; and other stakeholders as 2 21 appropriate. The bill appropriates from the state general 2 22 fund to the department for the 2009=2010 fiscal year $5,000 2 23 for the expenses of the task force members. 2 24 The task force must submit its findings and recommendations 2 25 in a report to the state board of education and the general 2 26 assembly by January 15, 2010. 2 27 LSB 2612HH 83 2 28 kh/nh/14.1