HF 503 (LSB 2397YH (2) 85)

HOUSE FILE 503

BY  HALL

A BILL FOR

An Act providing for a study and report on establishing an online curriculum for uniform transfer of academic credit for certain children under the responsibility of the department of human services.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  ONLINE CURRICULUM FOR UNIFORM TRANSFER OF ACADEMIC CREDIT —— STUDY AND REPORT.
   1.  The department of education shall conduct a study regarding the establishment of an online curriculum to facilitate the transfer of academic credits earned by students residing in child foster care facilities licensed under section 237.4, and in institutions controlled by the department of human services and listed in section 218.1, between those facilities and institutions and public and accredited nonpublic schools. The goal of the curriculum shall be to minimize wherever possible the loss of academic credit for coursework completed by such students.
   2.  The department shall consider contracting with a private provider to administer the curriculum through a request for bids or proposals, but shall prioritize the use of existing resources such as the Iowa learning online initiative established under section 256.42, and the online learning program model established under section 256.43, for such administration.
   3.  Instruction provided through the online curriculum shall be taught by teachers licensed under chapter 272. All courses in the online curriculum shall meet existing accreditation standards.
   4.  The department shall submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by January 3, 2014.
EXPLANATION
   This bill directs the department of education to conduct a study regarding the establishment of an online curriculum to facilitate the transfer of academic credits earned by students residing in child foster care facilities licensed under Code section 237.4, and in institutions controlled by the department of human services and listed in Code section 218.1, between those facilities and institutions and public and accredited nonpublic schools. The goal of the curriculum shall be to minimize wherever possible the loss of academic credit for coursework completed by such students.
   The bill directs the department to consider contracting with a private provider to administer the online curriculum through a request for bids or proposals, but to prioritize the use of existing resources such as the Iowa learning online initiative and the online learning program model.
   The bill provides that instruction through the online curriculum must be taught by teachers licensed under Code chapter 272, and all courses in the curriculum must meet existing accreditation standards.
   The bill directs the department to report its findings and recommendations to the general assembly by January 3, 2014.