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REFERENCE TITLE: results-based funding; schools; repeal |
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State of Arizona House of Representatives Fifty-third Legislature Second Regular Session 2018
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HB 2363 |
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Introduced by Representatives Blanc: Alston, Andrade, Butler, Chávez, Clark, Descheenie, Engel, Epstein, Fernandez, Friese, Hernandez, Martinez, Navarrete, Powers Hannley, Rios, Saldate, Salman
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AN ACT
repealing section 15‑249.08, Arizona Revised Statutes; amending section 15‑249.09, Arizona Revised Statutes; appropriating monies; relating to education finance.
(TEXT OF BILL BEGINS ON NEXT PAGE)
Be it enacted by the Legislature of the State of Arizona:
Section 1. Repeal
Section 15-249.08, Arizona Revised Statutes, is repealed.
Sec. 2. Section 15-249.09, Arizona Revised Statutes, is amended to read:
15-249.09. Early literacy grant program fund; grants; report; program termination; definitions
A. The early literacy grant program fund is established to provide support to improve reading skills, literacy and proficiency for Prekindergarten students and students in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three in addition to monies received pursuant to section 15‑211. The fund shall be administered by the department of education. The state board of education shall develop policies and procedures to be administered by the department of education.
B. Subject to review and approval by the state board of education, the department of education shall award grants on a three‑year cycle to eligible schools based on available monies on a per pupil basis.
C. Eligible schools may use grant monies for eligible expenses to increase the reading proficiency of Prekindergarten students and students in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three. Eligible schools may also use grant monies to provide a full‑day kindergarten program that is structured to increase reading proficiency. Grant monies must be used to supplement and not supplant activities included in a school's reading program plan submitted pursuant to section 15‑211.
D. Subject to review and approval by the state board of education, the department of education shall include a report on the early literacy grant program in the K-3 reading program plan required by section 15‑211. The report shall contain the following:
1. A description of the grants awarded each year.
2. A summary of the funded activities.
3. Information on the recipient schools' progress toward achievement goals.
4. Specific findings on grant‑funded strategies and activities and their level of effectiveness in improving reading proficiency in the recipient schools.
E. The program established by this section ends on July 1, 2025 pursuant to section 41‑3102.
F. For the purposes of this section:
1. "Eligible expenses" means expenses for evidence-based strategies and interventions designed to improve the reading proficiency of students in kindergarten programs and grades one, two and three pursuant to sections 15‑211 and 15‑704 and Prekindergarten students, including reading coaches or specialists, reading curricula or tutoring programs.
2. "Eligible school" means a public school with at least ninety percent of students who are eligible for free and reduced‑priced lunches under the national school lunch and child nutrition acts (42 United States Code sections 1751 through 1785).
Sec. 3. Appropriation; early childhood development and health fund
The sum of $37,600,000 is appropriated from the state general fund in fiscal year 2018‑2019 to the early childhood development and health fund established by section 8‑1181, Arizona Revised Statutes, to be used for the purposes of the fund.
Sec. 4. Intent
It is the intent of the legislature that the $37,600,000 appropriation in the baseline budget dedicated to results-based funding instead be redirected to the early childhood development and health fund established by section 8‑1181, Arizona Revised Statutes, to provide additional opportunities for children to receive a high quality early education.