Education Funding Initiatives clarifies the method for calculating alternative education funds. The bill allows for alternative education funds to be utilized in grades K-5 if needed. Middle Schools requires five hours of instruction daily in academic subjects in middle school. Remedial academic instruction may be a part of the five hour academic block. National Board Certification provides for payment of a portion of the application fee to be paid by the state and defines eligibility criteria for participation in the fee payment program.
Low wealth is defined.
Parent notification of the test result, opportunity for additional instruction, and the possibility of retention is required. if the student does not meet the standard on the retest, the principal shall see that the student is retained. However the teacher or the parent may appeal the retention decision. If promoted or retained, the committee will prescribe for the student accelerated or additional instruction and appropriate assessments the student will need in order to perform at grade level the following year. Among the components of HB 1187 not addressed by the new legislation is the 5 days in the classroom component. We have been assured by legislative leaders that as the bill works its way through the legislative process, administrators will be given more flexibility in meeting that requirement.