Connecticut 2025 Regular Session

Connecticut Senate Bill SB01458 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
1	1
2	2
3		-	LCO 1 of 15
	3	+	LCO No. 5950 1 of 15
4	4
5		-	General Assembly ~~Substitute~~ Bill No. 1458
	5	+	General Assembly Raised Bill No. 1458
6	6		January Session, 2025
	7	+	LCO No. 5950
	8	+
	9	+
	10	+	Referred to Committee on EDUCATION
	11	+
	12	+
	13	+	Introduced by:
	14	+	(ED)
	15	+
7	16
8	17
9	18
10	19		AN ACT CONCERNING CHANGES TO THE COMMISSIONER'S
11	20		NETWORK OF SCHOOLS AND ALLIANCE DISTRICT PROGRAMS.
12	21		Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
13	22		Assembly convened:
14	23
15	24		Section 1. Subsection (a) of section 10-223h of the general statutes is 1
16	25		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2
17	26		2025): 3
18	27		(a) [The] For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2027, 4
19	28		inclusive, the Commissioner of Education shall establish, within 5
20	29		available appropriations, a commissioner's network of schools to 6
21	30		improve student academic achievement in low-performing schools. The 7
22	31		commissioner may select not more than twenty-five schools in any 8
23	32		single school year that have been classified as a category four school or 9
24	33		a category five school pursuant to section 10-223e to participate in the 10
25	34		commissioner's network of schools, except the commissioner shall not 11
26	35		select any additional school to participate in the commissioner's 12
27	36		network of schools on or after July 1, 2025. The commissioner shall issue 13
28	37		guidelines regarding the development of turnaround plans, and such 14
29	38		guidelines shall include, but not be limited to, annual deadlines for the 15
	39	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	40	+
	41	+
	42	+
	43	+	LCO No. 5950 2 of 15
	44	+
30	45		submission or nonsubmission of a turnaround plan and annual 16
31	46		deadlines for approval or rejection of turnaround plans. The 17
32	47		commissioner shall give preference for selection in the commissioner's 18
33	48		network of schools to such schools (1) that volunteer to participate in 19
34		-	the commissioner's network of schools, provided the local or regional 20 Substitute Bill No. 1458
35		-
36		-
37		-	LCO 2 of 15
38		-
	49	+	the commissioner's network of schools, provided the local or regional 20
39	50		board of education for such school and the representatives of the 21
40	51		exclusive bargaining unit for certified employees chosen pursuant to 22
41	52		section 10-153b mutually agree to participate in the commissioner's 23
42	53		network of schools, (2) in which an existing collective bargaining 24
43	54		agreement between the local or regional board of education for such 25
44	55		school and the representatives of the exclusive bargaining unit for 26
45	56		certified employees chosen pursuant to section 10-153b will have 27
46	57		expired for the school year in which a turnaround plan will be 28
47	58		implemented, or (3) that are located in school districts that (A) have 29
48	59		experience in school turnaround reform, or (B) previously received a 30
49	60		school improvement grant pursuant to Section 1003(g) of Title I of the 31
50	61		Elementary and Secondary Education Act, 20 USC 6301 et seq. [The 32
51	62		commissioner may select not more than five schools in any single school 33
52	63		year from a single school district to participate in the commissioner's 34
53	64		network of schools.] Each school so selected shall begin implementation 35
54	65		of a turnaround plan, as described in subsection (d) of this section. Each 36
55	66		school so selected shall participate in the commissioner's network of 37
56	67		schools for three school years, and may continue such participation for 38
57	68		an additional year, not to exceed two additional years, upon approval 39
58	69		from the State Board of Education in accordance with the provisions of 40
59	70		subsection (h) of this section, except no school that is participating in the 41
60	71		commissioner's network of schools on July 1, 2025, may continue such 42
61	72		participation for an additional year or an additional two years. The 43
62	73		commissioner shall provide funding, technical assistance and 44
63	74		operational support to schools participating in the commissioner's 45
64	75		network of schools and may provide financial support to teachers and 46
65	76		administrators working at a school that is participating in the 47
66	77		commissioner's network of schools. All costs attributable to developing 48
67	78		and implementing a turnaround plan in excess of the ordinary operating 49
	79	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	80	+
	81	+
	82	+
	83	+	LCO No. 5950 3 of 15
	84	+
68	85		expenses for such school shall be paid by the State Board of Education. 50
69	86		Sec. 2. Subsection (h) of section 10-223h of the general statutes is 51
70	87		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 52
71	88		2025): 53
72		-	(h) Each school participating in the commissioner's network of 54 Substitute Bill No. 1458
73		-
74		-
75		-	LCO 3 of 15
76		-
	89	+	(h) Each school participating in the commissioner's network of 54
77	90		schools shall participate for three school years, and may continue such 55
78	91		participation for an additional year, not to exceed two additional years, 56
79		-	upon approval from the State Board of Education, ~~[. Before]~~ except no 57
80		-	~~school that~~ is participating in the commissioner's network of schools on 58
81		-	~~July 1, 2025,~~ may continue such participation for an additional year or 59
82		-	~~an additional~~ two years. On and after July 1, 2025, before the end of the 60
83		-	~~third~~ year that a school is participating in the commissioner's network 61
84		-	of schools, the commissioner shall conduct an evaluation [to determine 62
	92	+	upon approval from the State Board of Education, except no school that 57
	93	+	is participating in the commissioner's network of schools on July 1, 2025, 58
	94	+	may continue such participation for an additional year or an additional 59
	95	+	two years. [Before] On and after July 1, 2025, before the end of the third 60
	96	+	year that a school is participating in the commissioner's network of 61
	97	+	schools, the commissioner shall conduct an evaluation [to determine 62
85	98		whether such school is prepared to exit the commissioner's network of 63
86	99		schools. In determining whether such school may exit the 64
87	100		commissioner's network of schools, the commissioner shall consider 65
88	101		whether the local or regional board of education has the capacity to 66
89	102		ensure that such school will maintain or improve its student academic 67
90	103		performance. If the commissioner determines that such school is ready 68
91	104		to exit the commissioner's network of schools, the] of the school's 69
92	105		participation in the commissioner's network of schools. The local or 70
93	106		regional board of education for such school shall develop, in 71
94	107		consultation with the commissioner, a plan, subject to the approval by 72
95	108		the State Board of Education, for the transition of such school back to 73
96	109		full control by the local or regional board of education. [If such school is 74
97	110		not ready to exit the commissioner's network of schools and participates 75
98	111		in the commissioner's network of schools for an additional year, the 76
99	112		commissioner shall conduct an evaluation in accordance with the 77
100	113		provisions of this subsection. Before the end of the fifth year that a 78
101	114		school is participating in the commissioner's network of schools, the 79
102	115		commissioner shall develop, in consultation with the local or regional 80
103	116		board of education for such school, a plan, subject to the approval by the 81
104	117		State Board of Education, for the transition of such school back to full 82
	118	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	119	+
	120	+
	121	+
	122	+	LCO No. 5950 4 of 15
	123	+
105	124		control by the local or regional board of education.] 83
106	125		Sec. 3. Section 10-262u of the general statutes is repealed and the 84
107	126		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 85
108		-	(a) As used in this section: [and section 10-262i:] 86
109		-	(1) ["Alliance district"] "Opportunity district" means a school district 87 Substitute Bill No. 1458
110		-
111		-
112		-	LCO 4 of 15
113		-
	127	+	(a) As used in this section and section 10-262i: 86
	128	+	(1) ["Alliance district"] "Opportunity district" means a school district 87
114	129		for a town that [(A)] is among the towns with the [thirty-three] fifteen 88
115	130		lowest accountability index scores, as calculated by the Department of 89
116	131		Education. [, or (B) was previously designated as an alliance district by 90
117	132		the Commissioner of Education for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, 91
118	133		to June 30, 2022, inclusive.] 92
119	134		(2) "Legacy alliance district" means a school district for a town that 93
120	135		was designated as an alliance district by the Commissioner of Education 94
121	136		for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2013, to June 30, 2025, inclusive. 95
122	137		[(2)] (3) "Accountability index" has the same meaning as provided in 96
123	138		section 10-223e. 97
124	139		[(3)] (4) "Mastery test data of record" has the same meaning as 98
125	140		provided in section 10-262f, as amended by this act. 99
126	141		[(4) "Educational reform district" means an alliance district that is 100
127	142		among the ten lowest accountability index scores when all towns are 101
128	143		ranked highest to lowest in accountability index scores.] 102
129	144		(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, the Commissioner of 103
130	145		Education shall designate thirty school districts as alliance districts. Any 104
131	146		school district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated 105
132	147		for a period of five years. On or before June 30, 2016, the Department of 106
133	148		Education shall determine if there are any additional alliance districts. 107
134	149		(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, the commissioner shall 108
135	150		designate thirty-three school districts as alliance districts. Any school 109
136	151		district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated for a 110
	152	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	153	+
	154	+
	155	+
	156	+	LCO No. 5950 5 of 15
	157	+
137	158		period of five years. 111
138	159		(3) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the commissioner shall 112
139	160		designate thirty-six school districts as alliance districts. Any school 113
140	161		district designated as an alliance district shall be so designated for a 114
141	162		period of [five] three years. 115
142	163		(4) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the commissioner shall 116
143		-	designate fifteen school districts as opportunity districts. Any school 117 Substitute Bill No. 1458
144		-
145		-
146		-	LCO 5 of 15
147		-
	164	+	designate fifteen school districts as opportunity districts. Any school 117
148	165		district designated as an opportunity district shall be so designated for 118
149	166		a period of two years. 119
150	167		(c) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2023, and each fiscal year 120
151	168		thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any town that (A) was 121
152	169		designated as an alliance district pursuant to subdivision (2) of 122
153	170		subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds received over the 123
154	171		amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, 124
155	172		pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i, and (B) was designated as 125
156	173		an alliance district for the first time pursuant to subdivision (3) of 126
157	174		subsection (b) of this section, any increase in funds received over the 127
158		-	amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022~~] 2026~~, 128
159		-	and each fiscal year ~~thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any~~ 129
160		-	town that was ~~designated as an opportunity district pursuant to~~ 130
161		-	subdivision (4) of ~~subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds~~ 131
162		-	received over the ~~amount the town received for the fiscal year ending~~ 132
163		-	June 30, 2012, ~~pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i. The~~ 133
164		-	Comptroller shall ~~transfer such funds to the Commissioner of~~ 134
165		-	Education. 135
	175	+	amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2022, 128
	176	+	pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i.] 2026, and each fiscal year 129
	177	+	thereafter, the Comptroller shall withhold from any town that was 130
	178	+	designated as an opportunity district pursuant to subdivision (4) of 131
	179	+	subsection (b) of this section any increase in funds received over the 132
	180	+	amount the town received for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, 133
	181	+	pursuant to subsection (a) of section 10-262i. The Comptroller shall 134
	182	+	transfer such funds to the Commissioner of Education. 135
166	183		(2) Upon receipt of an application pursuant to subsection (d) of this 136
167	184		section or section 10-156gg, the Commissioner of Education may pay 137
168	185		such funds to the town designated as an [alliance] opportunity district 138
169	186		and such town shall pay all such funds to the local or regional board of 139
170	187		education for such town on the condition that such funds shall be 140
171	188		expended in accordance with (A) the improvement plan described in 141
	189	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	190	+
	191	+
	192	+
	193	+	LCO No. 5950 6 of 15
	194	+
172	195		subsection (d) of this section, (B) the minority candidate certification, 142
173	196		retention or residency year program pursuant to section 10-156gg, (C) 143
174	197		the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-262i, and (D) any guidelines 144
175	198		developed by the State Board of Education for such funds. Such funds 145
176	199		shall be used to improve student achievement and recruit and retain 146
177	200		minority teachers in such [alliance] opportunity district and to offset any 147
178	201		other local education costs approved by the commissioner. 148
179	202		(d) The local or regional board of education for a town designated as 149
180		-	an [alliance] opportunity district may apply to the Commissioner of 150 Substitute Bill No. 1458
181		-
182		-
183		-	LCO 6 of 15
184		-
	203	+	an [alliance] opportunity district may apply to the Commissioner of 150
185	204		Education, at such time and in such manner as the commissioner 151
186	205		prescribes, to receive any increase in funds received over the amount 152
187	206		the town received for the prior fiscal year pursuant to subsection (a) of 153
188	207		section 10-262i. Applications pursuant to this subsection shall include 154
189	208		objectives and performance targets and an improvement plan that are 155
190	209		developed, in part, on the strategic use of student academic 156
191	210		performance data. Such improvement plan may include, but not be 157
192	211		limited to, the following: (1) A tiered system of interventions for the 158
193	212		schools under the jurisdiction of such board based on the needs of such 159
194	213		schools, (2) ways to strengthen the foundational programs in reading, 160
195	214		through the intensive reading instruction program pursuant to section 161
196	215		10-14u, to ensure reading mastery in kindergarten to grade three, 162
197	216		inclusive, with a focus on standards and instruction, proper use of data, 163
198	217		intervention strategies, current information for teachers, parental 164
199	218		engagement, and teacher professional development, (3) additional 165
200	219		learning time, including extended school day or school year 166
201	220		programming administered by school personnel or external partners, 167
202	221		(4) a talent strategy that includes, but is not limited to, teacher and 168
203	222		school leader recruitment and assignment, career ladder policies that 169
204	223		draw upon guidelines for a teacher evaluation program adopted by the 170
205	224		State Board of Education, pursuant to section 10-151b, and adopted by 171
206	225		each local or regional board of education. Such talent strategy may 172
207	226		include provisions that demonstrate increased ability to attract, retain, 173
208	227		promote and bolster the performance of staff in accordance with 174
	228	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	229	+
	230	+
	231	+
	232	+	LCO No. 5950 7 of 15
	233	+
209	234		performance evaluation findings and, in the case of new personnel, 175
210	235		other indicators of effectiveness, (5) training for school leaders and other 176
211	236		staff on new teacher evaluation models, (6) provisions for the 177
212	237		cooperation and coordination with early childhood education providers 178
213	238		to ensure alignment with district expectations for student entry into 179
214	239		kindergarten, including funding for an existing local Head Start 180
215	240		program, (7) provisions for the cooperation and coordination with other 181
216	241		governmental and community programs to ensure that students receive 182
217	242		adequate support and wraparound services, including community 183
218	243		school models, (8) provisions for implementing and furthering state-184
219		-	wide education standards adopted by the State Board of Education and 185 Substitute Bill No. 1458
220		-
221		-
222		-	LCO 7 of 15
223		-
	244	+	wide education standards adopted by the State Board of Education and 185
224	245		all activities and initiatives associated with such standards, (9) strategies 186
225	246		for attracting and recruiting minority teachers and administrators, (10) 187
226	247		provisions for the enhancement of bilingual education programs, 188
227	248		pursuant to section 10-17f, or other language acquisition services to 189
228	249		multilingual learners, (11) entering into the model school district 190
229	250		responsibilities agreement, described in section 10-223l, (12) leadership 191
230	251		succession plans that provide training and learning opportunities for 192
231	252		administrators and are designed to assist in the seamless transition of 193
232	253		school and district personnel in and out of leadership positions in the 194
233	254		school district and the continuous implementation of improvement 195
234	255		plans developed under this subsection, (13) implementing the policy 196
235	256		adopted pursuant to section 10-223m to improve completion rates of the 197
236	257		Free Application for Federal Student Aid by students enrolled in grade 198
237	258		twelve in a high school under the jurisdiction of such board or students 199
238	259		enrolled in an adult education program maintained by such board 200
239	260		pursuant to section 10-69, and, as applicable, the parent and guardians 201
240	261		of such students, and (14) any additional categories or goals as 202
241	262		determined by the commissioner. Such improvement plan shall 203
242	263		demonstrate collaboration with key stakeholders, as identified by the 204
243	264		commissioner, with the goal of achieving efficiencies and the alignment 205
244	265		of intent and practice of current programs with conditional programs 206
245	266		identified in this subsection. The commissioner may (A) require changes 207
246	267		in any improvement plan submitted by a local or regional board of 208
	268	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	269	+
	270	+
	271	+
	272	+	LCO No. 5950 8 of 15
	273	+
247	274		education before the commissioner approves an application under this 209
248	275		subsection, and (B) permit a local or regional board of education, as part 210
249	276		of such improvement plan, to use a portion of any funds received under 211
250	277		this section for the purposes of paying tuition charged to such board 212
251	278		pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 10-264l or 213
252	279		subsection (b) of section 10-264o. Each such local and regional board of 214
253	280		education shall annually submit such improvement plan to the 215
254	281		department. 216
255	282		(e) The State Board of Education may develop guidelines and criteria 217
256	283		for the administration of such funds under this section. 218
257		-	(f) The commissioner may withhold such funds if the local or regional 219 Substitute Bill No. 1458
258		-
259		-
260		-	LCO 8 of 15
261		-
	284	+	(f) The commissioner may withhold such funds if the local or regional 219
262	285		board of education fails to comply with the provisions of this section. 220
263	286		The commissioner may renew such funding if the local or regional 221
264	287		board of education provides evidence that the school district of such 222
265	288		board is achieving the objectives and performance targets approved by 223
266	289		the commissioner stated in the improvement plan submitted under this 224
267	290		section. 225
268	291		(g) Any local or regional board of education receiving funding under 226
269	292		this section shall submit an annual expenditure report to the 227
270	293		commissioner on such form and in such manner as requested by the 228
271	294		commissioner. The commissioner shall determine if (1) the local or 229
272	295		regional board of education shall repay any funds not expended in 230
273	296		accordance with the approved application, or (2) such funding should 231
274	297		be reduced in a subsequent fiscal year up to an amount equal to the 232
275	298		amount that the commissioner determines is out of compliance with the 233
276	299		provisions of this subsection. 234
277	300		(h) Any balance remaining for each local or regional board of 235
278	301		education at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward for such 236
279	302		local or regional board of education for the next fiscal year. 237
280	303		(i) The local or regional board of education of a school district for a 238
281	304		town that is among the fifty towns with the lowest accountability index 239
	305	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	306	+
	307	+
	308	+
	309	+	LCO No. 5950 9 of 15
	310	+
282	311		scores, as calculated by the Department of Education, but has not been 240
283	312		designated as an opportunity district by the Commissioner of 241
284	313		Education, may request technical assistance or other specialized 242
285	314		interventions from the department for the provision of academic 243
286	315		support services to students. 244
287	316		Sec. 4. Subdivision (2) of section 10-262f of the general statutes is 245
288	317		repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 246
289	318		2025): 247
290	319		(2) "Base aid ratio" means for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2018, and 248
291	320		each fiscal year thereafter, the sum of (A) one minus the town's wealth 249
292	321		adjustment factor, and (B) the town's base aid ratio adjustment factor, if 250
293		-	any, except that a town's base aid ratio shall not be less than (i) ten per 251 Substitute Bill No. 1458
294		-
295		-
296		-	LCO 9 of 15
297		-
	322	+	any, except that a town's base aid ratio shall not be less than (i) ten per 251
298	323		cent for a town designated as an opportunity district or a legacy alliance 252
299	324		district, as those terms are defined in section 10-262u, as amended by 253
300	325		this act, or a priority school district, as described in section 10-266p, and 254
301	326		(ii) one per cent for a town that is not designated as an opportunity 255
302	327		district or legacy alliance district or a priority school district. 256
303	328		Sec. 5. Subsections (h) to (n), inclusive, of section 10-262h of the 257
304	329		general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 258
305	330		thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 259
306	331		(h) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, each town maintaining 260
307	332		public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid 261
308	333		grant as follows: (1) Any town whose fully funded grant is greater than 262
309	334		its equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 263
310	335		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 264
311	336		funded grant; (2) any town whose fully funded grant is less than its 265
312	337		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 266
313	338		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 267
314	339		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year minus 268
315	340		fourteen and twenty-nine-one-hundredths per cent of its grant 269
316	341		adjustment; and (3) any town designated as an opportunity district or a 270
	342	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	343	+
	344	+
	345	+
	346	+	LCO No. 5950 10 of 15
	347	+
317	348		legacy alliance district, as those terms are defined in section 10-262u, as 271
318	349		amended by this act, shall be entitled to an equalization aid grant in an 272
319	350		amount that is the greater of (A) the amount described in either 273
320	351		subdivision (1) of this subsection or subdivision (2) of this subsection, as 274
321	352		applicable, (B) its base grant amount, or (C) its equalization aid grant 275
322	353		entitlement for the previous fiscal year. 276
323	354		(i) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, each town maintaining 277
324	355		public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid 278
325	356		grant as follows: (1) Any town whose fully funded grant is greater than 279
326	357		its equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 280
327	358		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 281
328	359		funded grant; (2) any town whose fully funded grant is less than its 282
329	360		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 283
330		-	entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 284 Substitute Bill No. 1458
331		-
332		-
333		-	LCO 10 of 15
334		-
	361	+	entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 284
335	362		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year minus sixteen 285
336	363		and sixty-seven-one-hundredths per cent of its grant adjustment; and 286
337	364		(3) any town designated as an opportunity district or a legacy alliance 287
338	365		district shall be entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount that 288
339	366		is the greater of (A) the amount described in either subdivision (1) of 289
340	367		this subsection or subdivision (2) of this subsection, as applicable, (B) its 290
341	368		base grant amount, or (C) its equalization aid grant entitlement for the 291
342	369		previous fiscal year. 292
343	370		(j) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2028, each town maintaining 293
344	371		public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid 294
345	372		grant as follows: (1) Any town whose fully funded grant is greater than 295
346	373		its equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 296
347	374		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 297
348	375		funded grant; (2) any town whose fully funded grant is less than its 298
349	376		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 299
350	377		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 300
351	378		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year minus twenty 301
352	379		per cent of its grant adjustment; and (3) any town designated as an 302
353	380		opportunity district or a legacy alliance district shall be entitled to an 303
	381	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	382	+
	383	+
	384	+
	385	+	LCO No. 5950 11 of 15
	386	+
354	387		equalization aid grant in an amount that is the greater of (A) the amount 304
355	388		described in either subdivision (1) of this subsection or subdivision (2) 305
356	389		of this subsection, as applicable, (B) its base grant amount, or (C) its 306
357	390		equalization aid grant entitlement for the previous fiscal year. 307
358	391		(k) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2029, each town maintaining 308
359	392		public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid 309
360	393		grant as follows: (1) Any town whose fully funded grant is greater than 310
361	394		its equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 311
362	395		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 312
363	396		funded grant; (2) any town whose fully funded grant is less than its 313
364	397		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 314
365	398		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 315
366	399		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year minus 316
367	400		twenty-five per cent of its grant adjustment; and (3) any town 317
368		-	designated as an opportunity district or a legacy alliance district shall 318 Substitute Bill No. 1458
369		-
370		-
371		-	LCO 11 of 15
372		-
	401	+	designated as an opportunity district or a legacy alliance district shall 318
373	402		be entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount that is the greater 319
374	403		of (A) the amount described in either subdivision (1) of this subsection 320
375	404		or subdivision (2) of this subsection, as applicable, (B) its base grant 321
376	405		amount, or (C) its equalization aid grant entitlement for the previous 322
377	406		fiscal year. 323
378	407		(l) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2030, each town maintaining 324
379	408		public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid 325
380	409		grant as follows: (1) Any town whose fully funded grant is greater than 326
381	410		its equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 327
382	411		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 328
383	412		funded grant; (2) any town whose fully funded grant is less than its 329
384	413		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 330
385	414		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 331
386	415		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year minus thirty-332
387	416		three and thirty-three-one-hundredths per cent of its grant adjustment; 333
388	417		and (3) any town designated as an opportunity district or a legacy 334
389	418		alliance district shall be entitled to an equalization aid grant in an 335
390	419		amount that is the greater of (A) the amount described in either 336
	420	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	421	+
	422	+
	423	+
	424	+	LCO No. 5950 12 of 15
	425	+
391	426		subdivision (1) of this subsection or subdivision (2) of this subsection, as 337
392	427		applicable, (B) its base grant amount, or (C) its equalization aid grant 338
393	428		entitlement for the previous fiscal year. 339
394	429		(m) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2031, each town maintaining 340
395	430		public schools according to law shall be entitled to an equalization aid 341
396	431		grant as follows: (1) Any town whose fully funded grant is greater than 342
397	432		its equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 343
398	433		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 344
399	434		funded grant; (2) any town whose fully funded grant is less than its 345
400	435		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year shall be 346
401	436		entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its 347
402	437		equalization aid grant amount for the previous fiscal year minus fifty 348
403	438		per cent of its grant adjustment; and (3) any town designated as an 349
404	439		opportunity district or a legacy alliance district shall be entitled to an 350
405	440		equalization aid grant in an amount that is the greater of (A) the amount 351
406		-	described in either subdivision (1) of this subsection or subdivision (2) 352 Substitute Bill No. 1458
407		-
408		-
409		-	LCO 12 of 15
410		-
	441	+	described in either subdivision (1) of this subsection or subdivision (2) 352
411	442		of this subsection, as applicable, (B) its base grant amount, or (C) its 353
412	443		equalization aid grant entitlement for the previous fiscal year. 354
413	444		(n) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2032, and each fiscal year 355
414	445		thereafter, each town maintaining public schools according to law shall 356
415	446		be entitled to an equalization aid grant in an amount equal to its fully 357
416	447		funded grant, except any town designated as an opportunity district or 358
417	448		a legacy alliance district shall be entitled to an equalization aid grant in 359
418	449		an amount that is the greater of (1) its fully funded grant, (2) its base 360
419	450		grant amount, or (3) its equalization aid grant entitlement for the 361
420	451		previous fiscal year. 362
421	452		Sec. 6. Subdivision (3) of subsection (d) of section 12-18b of the 363
422	453		general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 364
423	454		thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 365
424	455		(3) Each [municipality] (A) town designated as an opportunity 366
425	456		district or a legacy alliance district pursuant to section 10-262u, as 367
	457	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	458	+
	459	+
	460	+
	461	+	LCO No. 5950 13 of 15
	462	+
426	463		amended by this act, or (B) municipality in which more than fifty per 368
427	464		cent of the property is state-owned real property shall be classified as a 369
428	465		tier one municipality. 370
429	466		Sec. 7. Section 10-4q of the general statutes is repealed and the 371
430	467		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 372
431	468		The Commissioner of Education, with the assistance of the State 373
432	469		Education Resource Center, established pursuant to section 10-357a, 374
433	470		may provide grants to local and regional boards of education for school 375
434	471		districts designated as [alliance] opportunity districts, pursuant to 376
435	472		section 10-262u, as amended by this act. Such grants shall be for the 377
436	473		creation and acquisition of new curricula, training in the use of such 378
437	474		curricula and related supporting textbooks and other materials. Such 379
438	475		local and regional boards of education may use such grants only for 380
439	476		curricula, training and related textbooks and materials that have been 381
440	477		authorized by the commissioner. Such local and regional boards of 382
441	478		education shall apply for grants pursuant to this section at such time 383
442		-	and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, and the 384 Substitute Bill No. 1458
443		-
444		-
445		-	LCO 13 of 15
446		-
	479	+	and in such manner as the commissioner prescribes, and the 384
447	480		commissioner shall determine the amount of the grant awards. 385
448	481		Sec. 8. Section 10-14y of the general statutes is repealed and the 386
449	482		following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2025): 387
450	483		(a) The Center for Literacy Research and Reading Success, established 388
451	484		pursuant to section 10-14gg, shall, within available appropriations, 389
452	485		establish a reading readiness program that provides tiered supports in 390
453	486		early literacy to each school district designated as an [alliance] 391
454	487		opportunity district, pursuant to section 10-262u, as amended by this 392
455	488		act. The center shall conduct an assessment of the reading readiness of 393
456	489		students enrolled in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, for each 394
457	490		[alliance] opportunity district. Such reading readiness assessment shall 395
458	491		consider any combination of the following: (1) Whether such [alliance] 396
459	492		opportunity district has developed and is implementing a multiyear 397
460	493		plan and allocated resources specifically for early literacy in 398
	494	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	495	+
	496	+
	497	+
	498	+	LCO No. 5950 14 of 15
	499	+
461	500		kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, (2) whether teachers and 399
462	501		administrators have received training regarding the science of teaching 400
463	502		reading, and the extent to which teachers and administrators have 401
464	503		completed the program of professional development in scientifically 402
465	504		based reading research and instruction, pursuant to section 10-148b, (3) 403
466	505		the level of access to external literacy coaches who have experience and 404
467	506		expertise in the science of teaching reading, and (4) whether there is 405
468	507		reading intervention staff embedded in the [alliance] opportunity 406
469	508		district. 407
470	509		(b) The center shall identify the early literacy needs of each [alliance] 408
471	510		opportunity district based on the results of the reading readiness 409
472	511		assessment conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, and 410
473	512		provide tiered supports in early literacy as follows: 411
474	513		(1) Tier one universal supports shall be provided to each [alliance] 412
475	514		opportunity district, as defined in section 10-262u, as amended by this 413
476	515		act, and include online professional development modules aligned with 414
477	516		the reading instruction survey, as described in section 10-145r, and other 415
478		-	literacy modules and programs available in the state; 416 Substitute Bill No. 1458
479		-
480		-
481		-	LCO 14 of 15
482		-
	517	+	literacy modules and programs available in the state; 416
483	518		(2) Tier two targeted supports shall include (A) a two-year program 417
484	519		of literacy leadership training for certain teachers and administrators, 418
485	520		(B) targeted professional development, in accordance with the 419
486	521		provisions of section 10-148b, using the results of the reading instruction 420
487	522		survey, as described in section 10-145r, and (C) external coaching 421
488	523		support, which may utilize funding received pursuant to section 10-422
489	524		223h, as amended by this act, or 10-262u, as amended by this act; and 423
490	525		(3) Tier three intensive supports shall include multiyear support from 424
491	526		the center and a commitment from the [alliance] opportunity district, 425
492	527		that includes, but need not be limited to, (A) the use of funding received 426
493	528		pursuant to section 10-262u, as amended by this act, to support an early 427
494	529		literacy program for students enrolled in kindergarten to grade three, 428
495	530		inclusive, (B) technical support in the drafting and submission of 429
	531	+	Raised Bill No. 1458
	532	+
	533	+
	534	+
	535	+	LCO No. 5950 15 of 15
	536	+
496	537		[alliance] opportunity district reading plans, as described in section 10-430
497	538		262u, as amended by this act, (C) identifying and engaging dedicated 431
498	539		literacy coaches and reading interventionists, (D) targeted and intensive 432
499	540		professional development, and (E) funds for assessment and 433
500	541		instructional materials. 434
501	542		(c) Any tiered supports in early literacy provided under this section 435
502	543		shall be aligned with any turnaround plan, developed pursuant to 436
503	544		section 10-223h, as amended by this act, or [alliance] opportunity district 437
504	545		plan, developed pursuant to section 10-262u, as amended by this act, as 438
505	546		applicable. 439
506	547		This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following
507	548		sections:
508	549
509	550		Section 1 July 1, 2025 10-223h(a)
510	551		Sec. 2 July 1, 2025 10-223h(h)
511	552		Sec. 3 July 1, 2025 10-262u
512	553		Sec. 4 July 1, 2025 10-262f(2)
513	554		Sec. 5 July 1, 2025 10-262h(h) to (n)
514	555		Sec. 6 July 1, 2025 12-18b(d)(3)
515	556		Sec. 7 July 1, 2025 10-4q
516		-	Sec. 8 July 1, 2025 10-14y ~~Substitute Bill No. 1458~~
	557	+	Sec. 8 July 1, 2025 10-14y
517	558
	559	+	Statement of Purpose:
	560	+	To phase out the commissioner's network of schools program and
	561	+	reduce the number of alliance districts to fifteen and rename them to
	562	+	opportunity districts.
518	563
519		-	LCO 15 of 15
520		-
521		-
522		-	Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
523		-	In Section 3(a), "section and section 10-262i:" was change to "section:
524		-	[and section 10-262i:]" for accuracy.
525		-
526		-	ED Joint Favorable Subst. -LCO
	564	+	[Proposed deletions are enclosed in brackets. Proposed additions are indicated by underline, except
	565	+	that when the entire text of a bill or resolution or a section of a bill or resolution is new, it is not
	566	+	underlined.]
527	567