Requiring each school district to establish an at-risk student accountability plan and to show academic improvement in certain student subgroups and students identified as eligible for at-risk programs, prohibiting the state board of education from revising the curriculum standards in English language arts and mathematics until 75% of all students achieve proficiency and requiring school districts to comply with all state laws and rules and regulations to maintain accreditation.
Impact
If enacted, this legislation will significantly impact how school districts manage and report on the academic progress of at-risk students. It requires a systematic approach to tracking academic achievement over a four-year period and prohibits school districts from revising improvement goals for student subgroups unless they meet established thresholds. Failure to meet these goals will carry implications for funding from the at-risk education fund, which will be adjusted based on performance metrics defined by the state board of education.
Summary
House Bill 2650 mandates that each school district in Kansas submit an annual at-risk student accountability plan to the state board of education. The aim is to enhance academic outcomes for students who are deemed at-risk through longitudinal assessments and targeted educational programs. The bill specifies that school districts must set quantitative academic improvement goals, with a target for 75% of all students to achieve proficiency in English language arts and mathematics by 2030. It reinforces the need for evidence-based instruction to support these at-risk students and ensures that educational funds are allocated effectively.
Contention
Debate surrounding HB2650 may arise around its emphasis on performance metrics and potential consequences for schools that fail to meet designated goals. Critics may argue that the high-stakes nature of the accountability measures could lead to undue pressure on educators and administrators, potentially jeopardizing the quality of education and support for students. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the feasibility of achieving such ambitious academic targets for all student subgroups, particularly in areas with existing socioeconomic challenges.
Requiring school districts to demonstrate improvement in academic performance and be in compliance with all federal and state statutes and rules and regulations to achieve or maintain accreditation.
Requiring school districts to be in compliance with all state laws and rules and regulations to be accredited and requiring the state board of education to establish a process to challenge determinations of such compliance.
Authorizing students attending public schools with low proficiency scores and certain private elementary and secondary school students to participate in the tax credit for low income students scholarship program.
Relating to bilingual education, English as a second language, and other special language programs and to an intensive reading improvement program for public school students of limited English proficiency.
House Substitute for SB 83 by Committee on K-12 Education Budget - Making appropriations for the state department of education for FY 2024, establishing the sunflower education equity act to provide education savings accounts for qualified students, requiring school districts to provide a salary increase to all licensed teachers and defining enrollment of small school districts as the highest enrollment from the preceding four years under the Kansas school equity and enhancement act.
Requiring nonpublic schools to participate in certain assessments and publish on their website performance accountability reports and longitudinal achievement reports.