Welcome to ExcelinEd in Action’s monthly report on legislative activity. This exciting roundup gives a quick snapshot of the bills we are monitoring and advocating for across the nation. Join us as we promote and defend quality, opportunity and innovation in education for all students in America.
Highlights:
The pandemic has highlighted the need for increased education choice. Twelve states are currently working to meet the growing demand.
Early literacy policies and funding have been introduced in eight states to give students the foundational reading skills they need to learn, graduate and succeed.
Eight states are considering legislation to increase college and career pathways, including CTE, work-based learning, dual enrollment and computer science.
Alabama
The Alabama Department of Education released its budget priorities for the FY 2021-2022 Education Trust Fund, which included a $36 million increase to support the implementation of the Alabama Literacy Act, on top of the $60 million the state currently spends on reading coaches. The Department also recommends allocating $8.2 million for the science of reading training, $7.85 million for before and after school tutoring, and $2 million for English Language Learner Specialists.
Alaska
Alaska’s Senate Majority Leader Tom Begich filed SB 8, the Alaska Reads Act. The legislation would establish both a pre-K intervention pilot program and comprehensive literacy policy in the state. Representative Andi Story filed HB 49, which appropriates more than $20 million for early literacy over the next two years.
Arizona
SB 1572, filed by Sen. Shoppe, requires teachers to pass an early literacy instruction assessment before certification, directs the State Board of Education to adopt a statewide kindergarten entry evaluation, and requires that parents be notified of a reading deficiency identified in their students.
Arkansas
Sen. Jane English is continuing to position Arkansas as a leader in Computer Science by filing SB 107, the Computer Science Education Advancement Act of 2021. This legislation is being considered in the Senate Education Committee and aims to require all students entering high school beginning in the 2022-2023 school year to earn a high-quality computer science credit before graduation.
Florida
Sen. Manny Diaz filed SB 48, which merges and expands five existing private school choice programs into two choice programs: the McKay-Gardiner Scholarship for students with special needs and the Family Empowerment Scholarship program for students whose family income is below 300% of poverty, foster children and students who were bullied. By merging the programs, the Senate has expanded eligibility requirements and the allowable uses for funds. Moving all the programs into the FEFP (public school funding formula) provides a stable funding source that will automatically grow, as well as eliminates reliance on tax credit support.
Rep. Andrew Learned filed HB 429, which would create a Purple School designation for schools that excel at welcoming and assisting with the transition of military-connected students to school.
Legislation protecting educational entities, including private schools, from COVID-19 liability passed their initial committees in both the House and Senate. SB 72 by Sen. Jeff Brandes passed the Judiciary Committee while HBl 7 by Rep. Lawrence McClure passed the Civil Justice and Property Rights Subcommittee.
The Florida Education Association has decided to voluntarily dismiss its lawsuit against the state over the constitutionality of its order to reopen school last fall.
Georgia
Rep. Wes Cantrell filed HB 60, which would establish the Georgia Educational Scholarship Act. As introduced, students from low-income families, with special needs, of active-duty military and disabled veterans, or in foster care would be eligible for an education scholarship account that they could use toward private school tuition, therapies, virtual courses and devices.
Illinois
HB 2170, the education omnibus bill prioritized by the Illinois Legislative Black Caucus, passed both chambers and was sent to Governor J. B. Pritzker for approval. As passed, the bill makes several improvements to computer science, including a requirement that high schools must offer at least one computer science course by 2023-24, as well as a requirement that all students receive access to computer literacy skill development opportunities beginning in elementary school.
Indiana
Several bills have been introduced in the House and Senate chambers to expand private school choice, bringing Hoosier families closer to greater educational opportunities for their children.
HB 1005, authored by House Education Committee Chair Bob Behning, creates the state’s first education scholarship account and expands the existing voucher program. As introduced, students with special needs, children of active-duty military and disabled veterans, and children in foster care are eligible for the scholarship. The bill expands voucher eligibility income limits to allow more families to participate in the Choice Scholarship Program and ensures that all participating families receive 90% of the state per-pupil funding.
SB 412, authored by Sen. Brian Buchanan, establishes the Indiana personalized education grant program, an education scholarship account for students with special needs and children in foster care.
Senate Education and Career Development Chair Jeff Raatz filed SB 413, which expands the existing voucher program and improves charter school funding. The bill expands eligibility for the Choice Scholarship Program to include children in foster care, increases the voucher amount to 90% percent of the state per-pupil funding, and creates a provision to trigger a ballot referendum on increased funding for public charter schools.
Rep. Wendy McNamara introduced HB 1008 to create a $150 million grant program to address learning loss caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. This legislation passed out of the Ways and Means Committee.
Legislation to improve the state’s course access program was heard in the House Education Committee. HB 1438, authored by Rep. Tony Cook, provides more course options for students. It improves the state’s application process for course providers and requires the creation of a civics course to be offered in the state’s online course access program.
Related, Chair Raatz also introduced SB 196 to expand the state’s course access program. The legislation would expedite notification to students on their request to enroll in the course access program, make it harder for schools to deny students enrollment, improves the course provider authorization process, and provide for greater transparency of course access opportunities on school corporations’ websites.
Sen. Linda Rogers filed a bill to resolve the longstanding issue of charter schools obtaining access to facilities. SB 358 would improve the state’s rental and purchase law for charter schools by better defining, and requiring annual reporting, on vacant or underutilized school buildings so charter schools are aware of school building availability.
The state budget, HB 1001, has numerous provisions that help students. Among them are an increase in K-12 education funding, $100 million in broadband grants, and a continued $3 million annual appropriation for the state’s Next Level Computer Science Program.
SB 2 and HB 1003 are quickly moving through the legislative process. Both bills ensure school districts receive 100% funding for their online learning. In addition, SB 2 requires new data collection on student access to internet and technology, student learning loss and school finances during the pandemic. The state will use this data to recommend ways to remediate and enrich students who fell behind during the pandemic.
House Education Vice Chair Jack Jordan filed HB 1280 to help students enroll in classes that lead to high-demand and high-wage careers. The bill allows for the replacement of certain courses required to graduate with alternative courses, such as CTE, that combine science, technology, engineering, or mathematics.
Related, Senate Education Chairman Raatz introduced SB 376, which broadens opportunities for students to complete their graduation requirements. The bill requires the state Board of Education to allow an organization to provide credit under a Core 40 curriculum model for alternative programs from non-school educational experience that incorporates content area knowledge in lieu of a required or elective course, this could include work-based learning.
Iowa
The Iowa Senate passed legislation, proposed by Governor Kim Reynolds, establishing the Student First Scholarship Program. This new program is the first of its kind in Iowa and would help families currently trapped in failing schools find additional education opportunities that best fit their learning needs. SF 159, authored be Senate Education Chair Amy Sinclair, also allows the State Board of Education to authorize charters as well as improves the state’s open enrollment policy. The bill now heads to the House for consideration.
Rep. John Wills filed legislation to allow eligible public school students to pursue advanced opportunities for postsecondary and career and technical education. Under HF 51, students would be able to take more college credit-bearing courses and career and technical certificate examinations as well as earn more industry-recognized certificates. The bill also allows students to become eligible for higher-ed scholarships based on their academic performance. The bill was heard in the House Education Subcommittee and is awaiting a hearing in the full committee.
Kansas
Legislation was introduced to amend the state’s existing education choice program, known as the Tax Credit for Low Income Students Scholarship. HB 2068, authored by House K-12 Budget Chair Kristey Williams, and companion SB 61 authored by Senate Education Chair Molly Baumgardner, would expand student eligibility. Currently, the program limits participation to students in the lowest 100 performing schools, which results in uncertainty from year to year on whether students remain eligible. These bills would give families the peace of mind that they can still participate in the program, regardless of how their local school district is performing.
Chair Williams also filed HB 2119 to create the state’s first education scholarship account program for students who qualify for free or reduced lunch, are identified as at-risk of learning loss and who have been required to attend prolonged online or hybrid learning.
Kentucky
Legislation introduced by Senate Health and Welfare Committee Chair Ralph Alvarado and House Majority Whip Chad McCoy would make education choice a reality for families in the Bluegrass State. SB 25 and HB 149 would establish the Education Opportunity Account Program, a tax-credit funded scholarship that would grant the most vulnerable families an opportunity to find an educational setting that best meets the needs of their children.
Minnesota
Two early literacy bills were introduced in their respective chambers. SF 244 was filed by Senate Assistant Majority Leader Roger Chamberlain, and HF 288 was filed by House Assistant Majority Leader Heather Edelson. The bills appropriate $1 million in annual funding to train teachers in the science of reading. SF 244 was heard in the Senate E-12 Finance and Policy Committee.
HF 92 by House Education Policy Chair Ruth Richardson would increase access to postsecondary enrollment by allowing postsecondary institutions to provide information about its programs to secondary schools and students. It would also require schools to weigh courses, whether taken on campus or a postsecondary institution, equally for the purpose of calculating students’ grade point averages.
Mississippi
Passed unanimously on the Senate floor, legislation to increase teacher pay in Mississippi now moves to the House for consideration. SB 2001 by Senate Education Chairman Dennis Debar revises the current minimum teacher salary scale by providing metrics for increasing minimum salaries and a $1,000 a year teacher pay raise.
HB 276, sponsored by Rep. Charles Young, creates the Digital Access Learning and Virtual Instruction Program Act. This forward-thinking piece of legislation would require the Department of Education to annually publish approved digital learning and virtual instruction providers. This bill is currently awaiting a hearing in the House Education Committee.
Companion bills HB 633 by Rep. Kevin Flesher and SB 2678 by Sen. Scott Delano would create a mandatory K-12 Computer Science curriculum. If passed, the new Computer Science curriculum will be based on the state’s College and Career Readiness Standards and provide the appropriate training for teachers.
Rep. Nicole Boyd filed SB2151, a workforce bill to create an Education Continuum for Mississippi’s Future task force. This bill has been referred to the Accountability, Efficiency and Transparency committee.
Missouri
Multiple bills are moving in the House and Senate chambers that would expand educational options to thousands of Missouri families.
Three bills would establish Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts, a tax-credit funded education savings account program: HB 349 by Chair Phil Christofanelli, SB 55 by Sen. Cindy O’Laughlin and HB 729 by Rep. Michael O’Donnell. SB 55 and HB 729 also expand access to public charter schools beyond large cities and improve the Missouri Course Access and Virtual School Program. HB 349 and SB 55 have been voted out of committee, and HB 729 will be heard in committee soon.
Two bills were introduced that would establish the Show Me a Brighter Future Scholarship Fund, a tax-credit scholarship program. SB 30, sponsored by Senate Economic Development Chair Mike Cierpiot, and HB 540, sponsored by House Fiscal Review Committee Chair Travis Fitzwater, would provide eligible families a scholarship to use at a private school of their choice. Both bills were heard in committee.
HB 543 by Rep. Brad Pollitt would establish the Public School Open Enrollment Act. This policy would allow students to transfer to a public school, whether inside or outside of their resident district, that better meets their needs.
HB 137, sponsored by Rep. Doug Richey, would make changes to existing law to ensure public charter school students receive equitable funding. The bill was heard in the House Budget Committee. Rep. Tony Luetkemeyer filed HB 218, which is similar to HB 137, and is being heard in committee soon.
Numerous bills related to mastery-based education and next generation learning were filed and are moving.
SB 33, sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur, creates a competency-based education (CBE) grant program for schools as well as a task force that will develop CBE in the state. This bill was heard in the Senate Education Committee. House Education Vice Chair Doug Richey filed similar legislation in HB 520 and HB 625.
SB 34, sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur, establishes the Show Me Success Diploma Program, which will give students more flexibility to take college credit-bearing courses and to graduate in a CBE learning environment. SB 34 was also heard in the Senate Education Committee. A similar bill, HB 624, was filed by Rep. Doug Richey.
SB 285 sponsored by Sen. Lauren Arthur improves next generation learning by creating school innovation flexibility waivers to give schools more flexibility in mastery-based education. Similar language was filed by Sen. Karla Eslinger in SB 265.
Several legislators filed bills that would ensure students become proficient readers. HB 312 by House Majority Caucus Secretary Ann Kelley, SB 54 by Education Committee Chair Cindy O’Laughlin and SB 304 by Sen. Karla Eslinger would speed up the reading assessment timeline, require schools to adopt reading success plans for grades K-4 and ensure students who are not reading on grade level receive the appropriate interventions and support.
HB 320 by Rep. Travis Fitzwater implements computer science courses in every school and includes additional provisions to track student participation. Sen. Cierpiot filed similar language in SB 204.
Nebraska
Nebraska would see its first ever private education choice program under LB 364, the Opportunity Scholarships Act. The tax-credit scholarship program, proposed by Revenue Chair Lou Ann Linehan, would empower families from low-income households to find the best educational fit for their children. The bill received a hearing in the Senate Revenue Committee.
LB 550, introduced by Sen. Justin Wayne, would improve the existing open enrollment law by increasing opportunities for students who would like to transfer to another school district.
New Hampshire
Speaker Sherman Packard introduced HB 20 to create the New Hampshire Freedom Account Program that would provide students with expanded options. If enacted as introduced, all students across the Granite State will be eligible to apply. With an Education Freedom Account, parents could direct their child’s education funding to courses, materials and educational programs of their choice. This legislation is pending consideration by the House Education Committee.
North Dakota
Bills have been filed in both the House and Senate—HB 1369 and SB 2288— that would establish education choice programs. HB 1369, authored by Rep. Tom Kading, creates the Education Empowerment Account program, which would give families with K-5 students access to support services as well as the option to enroll in a private school that works best for them. The Senate bill would establish a tax-credit scholarship for students in grade 6-12 to attend a private school of their choice.
Oklahoma
Sen. Adam Pugh filed SB 783, which expands educational opportunity for Oklahoma families by improving the state’s open transfer policy. If passed, the legislation will increase transparency in the school transfer process by requiring the state to assess a school district’s enrollment capacity and by requiring districts to publish their transfer policies. Equipping parents with this information will empower them in advocating for their children.
To help districts manage the school budgeting challenges that a more fluid and empowered student population SB 783 might create, Sen. Zack Taylor filed SB 823, which establishes budgeting mechanisms to allow dollars to follow and support students at the school of their choice. Together, these bills put will empower Oklahoma parents with more options as they work to keep their students connected and learning through the pandemic.
Tennessee
Governor Bill Lee convened an education-focused special session. During the three-day gathering, legislators worked swiftly to passSB 7003, carried by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson, and HB 7004, carried by House Majority Leader William Lamberth. Together, the legislation will help Tennessee’s K-3 students by putting many proven policies into action, including:
Providing early intervention for struggling readers after school and in summer learning camps.
Creating the Tennessee Accelerated Literacy and Learning Corps to tutor students throughout the year.
Ensuring Local Education Agencies use the proven phonics-based approach for early reading education.
Training educators on proven practices to help early readers and providing them with continuous support.
Texas
SB 244 by Rep. Mary Gonzales creates the Computer Science and Technology Applications Professional Development Grant Program. This legislation has been introduced in the House and would provide a grant program to promote computer science certification and professional development in coding, technology applications and computer science for public school teachers.
Utah
Since implementation of a transparent A-F school accountability system, Utah student performance on the NAEP assessment has substantially improved and made the state a national leader. However, lawmakers are considering legislation (SB 91) that would remove the A-F school rating system and replace it with a word descriptor system, which often translates to lower expectations for schools and disempowered parents.
Wisconsin
Sen. Dale Kooyenga filed SB 41 to increase educational options for families in Wisconsin. The bill would expand the existing voucher program, the Wisconsin Parental Choice Program, by raising the income eligibility to 300% of the federal poverty limit. Additionally, the bill would allow more students to transfer to a public school that better meets their needs by making changes to the open enrollment application process.
