HF 2193 (LSB 5296HV (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 2193

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 556)

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for the establishment of an Iowa middle school extended learning time pilot project grant program.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  NEW SECTION.  256.34  Middle school extended learning time pilot project grant program.
   1.  Subject to an appropriation by the general assembly for purposes of this section, the department shall establish a pilot project grant program to provide funding to at least two school districts individually or working collaboratively for planning and implementing extended learning time for middle school students in the form of longer school days or a longer school year. The school districts selected to receive grants shall be located in geographically diverse areas of the state and the student populations among the buildings designated for pilot projects shall demonstrate diverse demographic characteristics.
   2.  The department shall develop an application and evaluation process for approval of pilot project grant applications submitted by school districts. In evaluating grant applications, the department shall consider all of the following:
   a.  The percentage of seventh grade students in the school district in a designated middle school building or in a specific student population within such a building who have not demonstrated proficiency in reading.
   b.  Evidence that the school district has included community-based organizations in the submission of the application.
   c.  The school district’s proposed comprehensive restructuring of the school day or year to maximize the use of extra time for learning by middle school students, including a mix of additional time spent on reading and enrichment opportunities.
   d.  Whether the school district’s plan for teacher collaboration and professional development of professional staff supports success of the extended learning time pilot project.
   3.  A school district awarded an extended learning time pilot project grant shall do all of the following:
   a.  Add up to three hundred hours of additional instruction or learning activities annually for all students in a designated middle school building or in a specific student population within such a building.
   b.  Enter into an annual performance agreement with the department that establishes clear academic achievement goals, developed collaboratively with district teachers, for each designated middle school building.
   4.  Extended learning time pilot project grants shall be awarded for a period of three years, subject annually to a successful review of program performance by the department.
   5.  School districts may collaborate with one another to submit a joint grant application.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with

the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill provides for the establishment of an Iowa middle school extended learning time pilot project grant program by the department of education, subject to an appropriation by the general assembly, to provide funding to at least two geographically and demographically diverse school districts for planning and implementing extended learning time for middle school students in the form of longer school days or a longer school year.
   In evaluating grant applications, the department shall consider the percentage of seventh grade students in the school district in a designated middle school building or in a specific student population within such a building who have not demonstrated proficiency in reading; evidence that the school district has included community-based organizations in the submission of the application; the district’s proposed comprehensive restructuring of the school day or year to maximize the use of extra time for learning, including a mix of additional time spent on reading and enrichment opportunities; and whether the school district’s plan for teacher collaboration and professional development of professional staff supports success of the extended learning time pilot project.
   A school district awarded an extended learning time pilot project grant must add up to 300 hours of additional instruction or learning activities annually for all students in a designated middle school building or in a specific student population within such a building; and enter into an annual performance agreement with the department that establishes clear academic achievement goals, developed collaboratively with district teachers, for each designated building.
   Grants shall be awarded for a period of three years, subject annually to a successful review of program performance by the department. School districts may collaborate with one another to submit a joint grant application.