HF 2105 (LSB 5611YH (4) 85)

HOUSE FILE 2105

BY  STAED, M. SMITH, ABDUL-SAMAD, BERRY, GAINES, ANDERSON, WOLFE, OURTH, and T. TAYLOR

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to academic indicators for students.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph b, unnumbered paragraph 1, Code 2014, is amended to read as follows:

   A set of core academic indicators in mathematics, and reading, writing, and social studies in grades four, eight, and eleven, a set of core academic indicators in science in grades eight and eleven, and another set of core indicators that includes but is not limited to graduation rate, postsecondary education, and successful employment in Iowa.
    Sec. 2.  Section 261E.3, subsection 1, paragraph e, Code 2014, is amended to read as follows:
   e.  The student shall have demonstrated proficiency in reading, writing, social studies, mathematics, and science as evidenced by achievement scores on the latest administration of the state assessment for which scores are available and as defined by the department. However, a student receiving competent private instruction under chapter 299A may demonstrate proficiency by submitting the written recommendation of the licensed practitioner providing supervision to the student in accordance with section 299A.2; may demonstrate proficiency as evidenced by achievement scores on the annual achievement evaluation required under section 299A.4; or may demonstrate proficiency as evidenced by a selection index, which is the sum of the critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills assessments, of at least one hundred forty-one on the preliminary scholastic aptitude test administered by the college board; a composite score of at least twenty-one on the college readiness assessment administered by ACT, inc.; or a sum of the critical reading and mathematics scores of at least nine hundred ninety on the college readiness assessment administered by the college board. If a student is not proficient in one or more of the content areas listed in this paragraph, has not taken the college readiness assessments identified in this paragraph, or has not achieved the scores specified in this paragraph, the school board may establish alternative but equivalent qualifying performance measures including but not limited to additional administrations of the state assessment, portfolios of student work, student performance rubric, or end-of-course assessments.
    Sec. 3.  Section 280.12, subsection 2, paragraph c, Code 2014, is amended to read as follows:
   c.  Long-range and annual improvement goals that include, but are not limited to, the state indicators that address reading, writing, social studies, mathematics, and science achievement.
    Sec. 4.  Section 284.12, subsection 1, paragraph a, Code 2014, is amended to read as follows:
   a.  Student achievement scores in mathematics, and reading, writing, and social studies at the fourth and eighth grade levels on a district-by-district basis as reported to the local communities pursuant to section 256.7, subsection 21, paragraph “c”.
    Sec. 5.  STATE MANDATE FUNDING SPECIFIED.  In accordance with section 25B.2, subsection 3, the state cost of requiring compliance with any state mandate included in this Act shall be paid by a school district from state school foundation aid received by the school district under section 257.16. This specification of the payment of the state cost shall be deemed to meet all of the state funding-related requirements of section 25B.2, subsection 3, and no additional state funding shall be necessary for the full implementation of this Act by and enforcement of this Act against all affected school districts.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill adds to the academic indicators that the state board of education must adopt for students in grades 4, 8, and 11. Currently, students at those levels are assessed in mathematics and reading, and students in grades 8 and 11 are assessed in science. The bill adds writing and social studies to the academic indicators at grade levels 4, 8, and 11.
   The bill makes corresponding changes relating to an annual statewide progress report the department of education is required to make available to the chairpersons and ranking members of the senate and house committees on education, the deans of the colleges of education at approved practitioner preparation institutions in Iowa, the state board, the governor, and school districts; to student eligibility criteria for the senior year plus program; and to areas for which school improvement advisory committees may submit recommendations for school district and accredited nonpublic school goals.
   The bill may include a state mandate as defined in Code section 25B.3. The bill requires that the state cost of any state mandate included in the bill be paid by a school district from state school foundation aid received by the school district under Code section 257.16. The specification is deemed to constitute state compliance with any state mandate funding-related requirements of Code section 25B.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the bill.