HB 21-1259

Abstract

To the extent possible, the department of education (department) is directed to streamline the application process and other requirements relating to the award of money to local education providers, including school districts, charter schools, and other authorized local education providers (local education providers), as defined in the act, to implement one or more extended learning opportunities to address COVID-19 learning impacts. The department is authorized to administer the programs as part of a single combined application, reporting, and evaluation process created by the department.Extended learning opportunities are defined in the act to include, in part, summer school programming, extended school days or extended school weeks, high-impact tutoring, creative enrichment tied to academic gains, social-emotional supports, and additional mental health supports tied to academic success.The combined application allows a needs-based approach to identify the programs and services that meet the needs of the eligible local education provider and allows the department to help match the local education provider with funding sources. In addition to a combined application, the department is authorized to streamline local-education-provider reporting to the department and department reporting to the general assembly and align reporting deadlines.The local education provider shall establish an internal progress-monitoring system to monitor progress using family- and community-informed practices to measure extended learning opportunities program effectiveness through student educational gains.The department shall ensure that eligibility requirements, application provisions, allowable uses of funding, data collection and reporting, and any other requirements specific to the program or funding source are met for all programs or services administered pursuant to this section.If required by law and subject to available funding, the department shall evaluate one or more extended learning opportunities implemented across local education providers using a common set of evaluation criteria and metrics.The state board may adopt any rules necessary for the implementation of the combined application, reporting, and evaluation process.The general assembly may appropriate money to the department for use by local education providers to implement extended learning opportunities.The act repeals the statute, effective July 1, 2026.(Note: This summary applies to this bill as enacted.)