Legislative Update for 03/06/2020
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Legislative Update for 03/06/2020
Department of Education (Department) bills that passed on the House floor and were sent to the Senate: HF 2454 – State Accreditation Standards and Process - Provides two additional options for instructors to meet the state accreditation standards by combining education and experience in the occupational area. The first option permits an instructor to teach Career and Technical Education (CTE) classes at a community college if they possess an associate degree in the CTE field of instruction and they have at least 3,000 hours of recent and relevant work experience in the area in which they plan to teach. The second option allows an instructor to meet state accreditation standards if they possess a baccalaureate degree in any area and if at least 18 of the credit hours completed are in the CTE field in which they plan to teach. The bill passed unanimously on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate. There is a companion bill, SF 2154, which is eligible for debate on the Senate floor. HF 2443 – Senior Year Plus Proficiency Requirements - To enroll in college credit courses via concurrent enrollment or Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO), a high school student must meet academic standards set by the postsecondary institution, which are the same for regularly-enrolled college students and high school students. Currently, high school students also have to be proficient at grade level in reading, math, and science to take any courses via concurrent enrollment. With the changes to the new Iowa Statewide Assessment of Student Progress (ISASP) proficiency standards, many students will lose access to college credit courses. The bill would eliminate the state proficiency requirements for eligibility. Students would still be expected to meet all general college requirements, and if required, program-specific entrance requirements. The bill passed unanimously on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate. Other bills that passed on the House floor and were sent to the Senate: HF 2585 - Deaf and Hard of Hearing - Updates terminology by replacing the terms “hearing impaired” and “deaf” with “hard of hearing” and “deaf or hard of hearing.” The bill went through the State Government Committee, passed unanimously on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate. HF 2539 - Deaf and Hard of Hearing Children - Provides for the development and dissemination of a resource for parents/guardians of deaf or hard of hearing children in which language milestones for English and American Sign Language are included. The bill requires a selection of assessments that can be used to assess a student's literacy and language development in English and American Sign Language. It establishes a specific seven member advisory committee, to be convened by March 1, 2021, to solicit input on language development milestones in English and American Sign Language. It requires the Department to annually compile and publish a report that is specific to language and literacy development of eligible deaf and hard of hearing children from birth to eight years of age. It also requires the Department to appoint an Early Language Consultant to coordinate the above requirements. The bill passed unanimously on the House floor and has been sent to the Senate. HF 2418 – Basic Education Data Survey (BEDS) Corrections - Authorizes the Department to notify the Board of Educational Examiners (BoEE) if an error in reporting impacts an individual’s licensure experience. The notification from the Department certifying that a district error in BEDS would have impacted an individual’s license will be sufficient for the BoEE to correct any licensure experience based on incorrect information. The bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate, where it passed in the Senate Education Committee unanimously, making it eligible for debate on the Senate floor. HF 2340 – Iowa 529 Plans - Permits the use of Iowa 529 plan funds for certain beneficiaries to attend out-of-state elementary and secondary schools. The bill passed the House and was sent to the Senate, where it passed the Senate Education Committee unanimously, making it eligible for debate on the Senate floor. Bills that passed in the Senate and were sent to the House: SF 2360 - Classroom Management/Classroom Clears - Provides a comprehensive approach to create a safe learning space for students and teachers. The companion bill, HF 2532, was referred to the House Appropriations Committee. A subcommittee was held, and the House plans to conform with the Senate’s version of the bill. It is anticipated there will be amendments offered when the bill is debated on the House floor. The details of SF 2360 were outlined in my February 28, legislative update. SF 2329 – Concussion Care Providers - Adds occupational therapists to the definition of “licensed health care provider” for purposes of state law regarding concussion and brain injury policies for extracurricular interscholastic activities. Duties of such licensed healthcare providers include, but are not limited to, making determinations regarding removal of students from participation in such activities and their return to participation. The bill passed the Senate and was sent to the House, where it passed a subcommittee, making it eligible for a vote in the Education Committee. SF 2261 – Telehealth in Schools - Expands the opportunities for students to access mental health services in schools by offering parents/guardians access to services with a licensed professional mental health provider and to receive services through an electronic encounter in the school setting. The bill outlines the scenarios in which a valid provider-patient relationship can be established. The bill passed the Senate and has been sent to the House, where it passed a subcommittee, with further discussion for an amendment. SF 2184 – Carrying on School Grounds – Allows a peace officer to carry a gun on school grounds, even when not on duty. The bill passed the Senate and has been sent to the House, where it was referred to Public Safety. Three bills passed the House Education Committee and were referred to House Appropriations: HF 2490 – Poverty Supplemental Work Group - Requires the Department to establish a low-income students and poverty weighting work group. The membership is designated, and the work group is required to provide a report to the General Assembly by January 2021 outlining recommendations for new or modified funding methodologies. The bill passed in subcommittee, making it eligible for a vote in the Appropriations Committee. HF 2460 – Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program (SWVPP) – Expands eligibility for participation in SWVPP to include children turning five years old on/after March 15 and on/before September 15 of the school year. The expansion of eligibility dates will create a timeframe within which some children may be eligible for both SWVPP and kindergarten enrollment. Local school districts would make local decisions as to how many children they would serve. Local school districts would also identify their criteria to be used for prioritizing enrollment; four year old participation should be prioritized. Children could participate in the preschool program for two years, as both a four year old and a five year old. Local programs are also required to assist parents in assessing a child's readiness for enrollment. This would begin July 1, 2021. The bill passed in subcommittee, making it eligible for a vote in the Appropriations Committee. HF 2419 - English Proficiency Weighting - Creates two categories of students who are identified as limited English proficient (LEP) and assigns a supplementary weighting of 0.3 to intensive English Language Learners (ELL) and a supplementary weighting of 0.25 to intermediate English Language Learners. Currently, the weighting for all ELL students is .22. The bill passed in subcommittee, making it eligible for a vote in the Appropriations Committee. Tick, tock says the clock, and we are down to two weeks before the second funnel blows through! Keep in mind when monitoring bills that if a bill has been referred to Appropriations, Ways and Means, Government Oversight or is sponsored by a legislative leader it is funnel proof. However, if a bill dies in one of the funnels it can be resurrected as an amendment to another bill during this legislative session. Until next week... Shan Seivert |
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