HF 473 (LSB 1288HV (2) 87)

HOUSE FILE 473

BY  COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION

(SUCCESSOR TO HSB 97)

(COMPANION TO SF 350 BY COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION)

A BILL FOR

An Act relating to high school equivalency programs and assessments and including effective date provisions.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF IOWA:

    Section 1.  Section 259A.1, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   259A.1  Tests Assessment of competency.
   The department of education shall cause to be made available for qualified individuals a high school equivalency diploma. The diploma shall be issued on the basis of satisfactory demonstrated competence as shown by tests covering in all of the following core areas: reading, language arts, literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies.
    Sec. 2.  Section 259A.2, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   259A.2  Age Application requirements.

   1.  Every applicant must shall have attained the age of eighteen years, be a nonhigh have not graduated from high school graduate, and not be currently enrolled in a secondary school. However, an 
   2.  An applicant is not eligible for the a high school equivalency diploma until after the class in which the applicant was enrolled has graduated from high school.

   3.  Application shall be made to a high school equivalency program or testing center approved by the department of education, accompanied by an application fee in an amount prescribed by the department.
   4.  The test Test scores shall be forwarded by the scorer of the test to the department of education.
   5.  Evidence that an applicant demonstrates competence as required under section 259A.1 shall be made available to the department of education by the high school equivalency program for verification purposes.
    Sec. 3.  Section 259A.3, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   259A.3  Notice and fee.
   Any applicant who has achieved demonstrated competence in the minimum passing core areas under standards as established by the department, and approved adopted by the state board of education pursuant to section 259A.5, shall be issued a high school equivalency diploma by the department of education upon payment of an additional amount determined in rules adopted by the state board of education to cover the actual costs of the production and distribution of the diploma. The state board of education may also by rule establish a fee for the issuance or verification of a transcript which shall be based on the actual costs of the production or verification of a transcript.
    Sec. 4.  Section 259A.5, Code 2017, is amended to read as follows:
   259A.5  Rules —— duties.

   1.  The director of the department of education shall adopt tests prescribe assessments, definitions of terms, and forms and resources as necessary for the administration of this chapter.
   2.  The state board of education shall adopt rules under chapter 17A to carry out this chapter, including but not limited to rules establishing standards for content and measures by which competence in core areas is to be demonstrated and assessed. Such measures shall include but not be limited to a test battery, credit-based measures, and attainment of other academic credentials of equivalent or greater rigor.
    Sec. 5.  EFFECTIVE UPON ENACTMENT.  This Act, being deemed of immediate importance, takes effect upon enactment.
EXPLANATION
The inclusion of this explanation does not constitute agreement with
the explanation’s substance by the members of the general assembly.
   This bill modifies Code chapter 259A, which provides for high school equivalency programs and assessments, and for the issuance of high school equivalency diplomas by the department of education.
   Under the bill, issuance of a high school equivalency diploma is to be based on an applicant’s demonstrated competence in core areas. Currently, the diploma is issued based on satisfactory competence, which an applicant meets by achieving the minimum passing standards in the same areas that under the bill are described as “core areas”: reading, language arts, literacy, mathematics, science, and social studies.
   Currently, an applicant must submit an application to a testing center, but, under the bill, application may be made either to a high school equivalency program or to a testing center. The bill directs high school equivalency programs to make available to the department evidence of an applicant’s demonstrated competence.
   The bill requires the director of the department of education to prescribe assessments and resources, and strikes a requirement that the director adopt tests. Currently, the state board of education has the authority to adopt rules to carry out the Code chapter. The bill maintains this broad authority, while specifying that the rules must include but not be limited to rules establishing standards for content and measures by which competence in core areas is to be demonstrated and assessed. Such measures shall include but not be limited to a test battery, credit-based measures, and attainment of other academic credentials of equivalent or greater rigor.