Education Committee- House

Wonderful committee I love you guys and I miss you so thank you very much for for a allowing me to talk about this resolution. I'm I'm just gonna give you some highlights you've got it in front of you obviously but this resolution is to congratulate fable public schools four hundred and fifty years in service so they turned a hundred and fifty years old on March of March twentieth. So we'll skip that fable public schools Washington County. Was the first public school district chartered in the state of Arkansas in eighteen seventy one. The board of education held its first meeting on March twentieth eighteen seventy one and so that's what will celebrate her birthday the start start the celebration of the birthday. In nineteen twenty one Leverett elementary school in fable became the first school in Arkansas to become a member of the National Congress of mothers later known as the national PTA. The district has a longstanding commitment to equity and equality for all including the fable school board's decision on may twenty first in nineteen fifty four to voluntarily began integrating the schools district just four days after the landmark opinion of brown versus board of education. The district opened the uptown School in nineteen seventy two to serve students who were in danger of dropping out of school and is the longest continually operating alternative school in Arkansas. They will public schools administrator Henrietta Holcomb and state Representative you can Katy led the push for kindergarten in Arkansas public schools during the nineteen seventy five legislative session. And a group of teachers in the district wrote in Arkansas history curriculum for the students in grade four in nineteen eighty four since the Arkansas curriculum did not exist at that time and then school districts around the state request a copy seven. In nineteen eighty three the fable public schools gifted and talented education program became the standard for gifted and talented programs in Arkansas and has been recognized as the state's top gifted and talented program for a record seven times. The district open fable virtual academy in twenty sixteen which was the first district charter conversion online public school in Arkansas. We are so excited about Arkansas's history we're excited about their future and I respectfully ask for. Your. Support and of this resolution for us. Be glad to take any questions. We'll check the reps of all two years okay you're on there. Yes Sir I can just make sure you're with us we dentist uses we started okay reps involved is join us online today so she's polluted and you know covered with Kronos. They were glad to have you online with this any questions your question. A motion any questions no questions from committee we have a motion to pass we have a question I have. Your question are you want to speak after the motion okay okay we have a motion to do pass Three one the audience will speak for or against the bill. Okay let me let her close for your bill like close refuse close okay represent Murdock. You're recognized. Thank you and thank you represent Ghana for bringing this account as a point of personal privilege because the current leader to Fayetteville public schools Johnny Colbert Sir is a has been a mentor of four for me during my years at universe of Arkansas and since the in continues to be and is a great leader for your school district and I just applaud him in what he has done for the without the probably forty plus years that he's been there and I know you all of them as we do and I just want to salute all of you will what you doing there in Fayetteville especially tell him hopefully he's watching that how much and how proud we are of him from the Delta he's from the Delta he is. Yeah he's a great leader great person and just god bless you all it is a resolution for himself he is absolutely wonderful man and he's done some great things for the for the district for a long time we will get in here I hope for If it if it makes it through the Senate and we get back on the house floor will yeah will will make sure he's here thank you Representative speaks. Thank you Mr chair I just want to tell you I enjoyed reading that last not I had no idea some of the things you put in there I think it was the only be aligned short. Thank you. The rest of us take offense to that. All right seeing See no more debate all those in favor say aye. He opposed no regulations you passed a resolution. Let's see who's next the royalty audience there's a Representative Lanny Fite out there but yes bill. The has an amendment to this bill and if you all look that over should be on your table or about their capacity out. Would you like to explain your members represent five yes the Amendment Actually takes out the the lease were published School Fund and puts in a division of career and technical education public school fund account okay. The motion of the member have a motion to pass on Amendment a discussion of discussion all the fiber say aye opposed the bail your member this past you are welcome to present as amended okay thank you Mr chairman of we had this and special language and then we found out there was uh a couple of the schools that same the that we did And so they career it ask us to put it in the bill and that's what I'm doing here today I put it in a bill and then the Department bid didn't like that I wanted to be entitled to that money so they they said that we may be so so we change that from them and I appreciate that helped us make this building corrected properly what we've what we've done we've built a career center and sling County the citizens of has invested forty three million dollars in this facility we've got six schools that are high schools that are working together in this and what this money will do we're needing to it's no additional funds is just we're gonna use apostle but different that allows used for maintenance management and operation of the center and I'd be happy to answer any questions. Are there any questions from committee. Wraps around recognized for a question. Thank you Mr chair can students all over the stated in this facility is it ten disco all. I'm just curious NO those in those six school districts for all okay thank you. Any other questions. Seeing no other questions three one the audience like to speak against the bill for the bill would you like twelve I'm close thank you live close and I have a motion of the past represented love. As amended you're correct. Any discussion on the motion. Seeing none all in favor say aye opposed no you your bill has passed resolutions thank you Mr chairman and committee. Sir represent Johnson I believe you're a. you have about for today will give you. Two or three will give you a break thank you thank you Mr chairman and committee members House or Senate bill one one four and I'll try to keep the straight my apologies if I for some reason get them confused so this. the bill to amend the provisions of the Arkansas code concerning applications ineligibility academic sports scholarship what this bill does is it adds a requirement for kids applying to scholarships to submit the fazza which is the free financial aid application that most college students have to submit to their colleges it's really just a way of providing an opportunity for enhanced opportunities for financial aid Services is pretty simple requirement would be for all that lottery scholarships it also renews an out dated requirement and the governor scholarship this been moved elsewhere in language this session so pretty simple bill be have to try to answer any questions. Russian got for your record. Thank you Mr chair and and maybe the department can answer this represent Johnson but. In all three instances I'm curious about why the fast the is required these are state scholarships and that this federal is it to determine eligibility for. For financial aid for federal financial aid so that they qualify for state financial aid I just I'm a little bit concerned about the facts and so I'm just wondering if it's they have to qualify for federal aid in order to receive the scholarships and that's the change and you watch me turn my head to the. And if I could ask Dr Martin to come to the table with twenty seconds from the great thank you. Dr Martin just. In addition so if you're recognized the. Good morning Maria mark in division of higher education thank you for that question of note so the receipt of federal financial aid is not a prerequisite for state aid however the way are stacking laws are written we apply federal first so it allows us to stretch our state dollars further it also allows students to get additional scholarships at the federal level that they may not have realized that they would be eligible for so it leverages federal and state dollars more effectively thank you one follow up. So just to clarify it in all three instances we have eligibility for for some students who would not qualify for federal financial aid because of their immigration status I just recently added this committee we passed eligibility for the governor scholarship for students with daca those students do not receive federal are not eligible for financial federal aid but this would not prohibit them from the teacher candidates and that support scholarship as well correct okay all we all we require is that complete the form the fast but not that that they actually are perfect thank you very much thank you Mr. Any other questions. Seeing none is there anyone the audience like to speak against the bill for the bill. Would you like clothes for your bill yes I'll close Robert make a motion to pass a motion to pass the discussion on the motion seeing none all in favor say aye. He opposed no regulations question bill thank you like present We'll skip over fourteen sixty one the correct reaction Lowery. Yes we're gonna skip over that for right now within maybe to next week's calendar S. B. sixty B. that yes thank you Mister committee members that this bill as you know we're required to do vision screening schools this bill removes some outdated the techniques that we use for vision screening and provide some flexibility to promulgate screening techniques with the Arkansas Commission on eye exams so that we're staying up to date with current techniques and we're not pigeonholed into some specific techniques are outdated provisions screening SO it's a good bill that allows us to business screening in the most up to date fashion and I'd be happy to try to answer questions on that. Richard fight you're recognized for a question. Thank you represent Johnson I may have just overlooked this but who can sign off on the vision screening does it have to be an empty now or is it a nurse practitioner and nurse can sign off on it as I read the bill I'm not sure that I know the answer to that question on the deferred to Stacey Smith is a person thank you. Stacey Smith Arkansas department of education Senate screenings at the schools are done by the nurses and then the school that there's a referral made then to the doctor's office. That's what I was thinking that I did not this was changing anything all right thank you. Any other questions. Seeing no other questions is there anyone in the audience like to speak against the bill before the bill was like closed close from a bill as chairman make a motion to pass a motion to passing special emotion seeing none all in favor say aye opposed no resolution to pass the bill thank you let's go to SP sixty three yes of this this is a bill that would allow the city of education of the Commissioner of Education currently is is the same individual to allow to do appointed as needed ten boards committee meetings in his stead and bonus that we're here unable to attend and I'd be happy to try to answer any questions on that. Representative of. Mackenzie will start with you. Thank you Mr chair have a couple questions on that first of all roughly how many meetings with this encompassed we have any idea how many central meeting the first sector keys approaching the table and try to answer that question thank you. Jon Kate part of education so represent Kinsey first all say this is a language that is modeled after light similar language that's already in statute for the director and and now secretary of the FNA we have the. The lady. Legislation is full of task forces committees it different groups and the commissioner or the secretary is Included by position and many of those. And it can go from education to juvenile justice to you name it I would say they're probably of between forty we don't have exact count forty to fifty different task forces committees working groups maybe more the and then sometimes they happen at hawk during the course of not even in session but during the course of a just to normal business and some of them have the ability or it's in the language that the Commissioner sector can appointed designate but sometimes they're not so this blanket language would allow that would allow me or future secretaries or commissioners to appoint the right person to be in that meeting sometimes is not the Commissioner of sector that's that's needed because of the content that is being discussed sometimes it's better to have a maybe an assistant commissioner or someone in one the content areas to be that the Representative for the department this simply just allows that appointment in those situations where it's not expressly allowed for designate. Ferguson got free you're recognized. Sure just a quick question and it doesn't spell out you know who the destiny would be can you just tell us what that always be someone from the Department someone and. Connected to the specific I will task that's being asked of yes I mean I guess depending on the task force but typically task forces where there is an appointed person that's not a department that's clearly spelled out of the way when it's not a department person this would be someone that is that would work for the Commissioner sector thank you thank you Mr. Richmond back recognized. Thank you Mr the question would have been is so you. If there were a commissioner are that designated that someone could sit in in in your place of with that in that person's name R. their position is named. That trump your decision to send someone else. We would follow whatever the loss it I mean if the law says that the site the director of facilities is a member of that that group task force whatever. Then then that's who it would be so Allen of but it is it is I understand you're saying that you can send someone in your place and that some of the committees and commissions that you're on already allow that and then I thought I heard you say that they have someone designated they may have someone designated so you could get a conflict where were you would say that they're saying that this person would sit in your place and that with that take it out of your hands is not pulling we whatever the law specifies is what we do so if it's if the law if the law forced particular task force says that its the Blake said the facilities director for instance because we had a task force in the last few years that. We would follow what the lawsuit because if if there is a if say if it's the commissioner and the director facilities there and then that would give another position that the Director facilities would serve on that and the commissioner or his or her designate. Thank you is it's all if we're trying to create our or provide very over arching language that just make sure that we can have the right person in those conversations and needs to be there sometimes it's just sometimes it's not the commissioner but the presence of the department is necessary required in the rights specialty area this will just help us make that easy easier process. The other question. Seeing no other questions for the audience was speak against the bill for the bill. Like close rebuild I'll close robin Mr make a motion to pass a motion to pass any discussion on the motion. Seeing none all in favor say aye. The oppose resolutions pastor bill you want to go into want to one let's just forget all the licensure there okay thank you committee members many of you know the history on this bill and I'm asking Dr Pfeffer to come to the table with me if that's okay isn't one one fitted yeah this is Senate bill one on one so as many of you know in his student she met finding it can be spent on a specific list of items for schools that lists the set to send said in July twenty twenty two in the last legislative session the part of education was tasked with coming up with a way to better define what these funds to be spent on this that you have in front of you this bill is the product those discussions negotiations but a lot of hard work behind the scenes on the part of the part of education our school administrators to come up with this process it will define six buckets is what we're saying these are categories with which you could spend money SO money for in it would create pathways of accountability and measurable so that you could see as the part of education is as legislators that the money's being spent in a way that they really does try to help the intent of the dollars and I know you're gonna have some questions on this topic I'm probably not the best person to answer all those questions that's why I have Dr pepper would be today so if it's okay I'd like to have her introduce yourself and let her try to explain what the process in further detail that is fine thank you. I have a fat for department of education and I and thank you EA it and give a good overview there and I'll just add a few details and and point you to a few things in the legislation that might and help answer your questions but and really what this legislation does is it changes the way districts plan budget and demonstrate success that the funding is achieving the desired outcomes by July twenty twenty two and district each district will submit a three year plan that outlines how ESA funds will be allocated based on on these new categories and I want to talk about that three year plan here in just a minute that the categories and they actually begin on page two of the legislation if you want to to look and the way we would summarize those categories is that districts might plan and in their plan they may be wanting to use the funds and for enhancement of staffing that would meet our seasoning that would exceed requirements of the standards for accreditation and they may be looking at the fund's going for academic supports and interventions and you can see in the legislation that could encompass different things personnel and material supplies that are needed. or programs that might and benefit kids And it social emotional behavioural supports would be another category for the use of these funds physical and mental health resources. Early intervention resources expansion of academic or career education programs and also access to postsecondary supports and that would be including anything related to college and career readiness so it really goes back to and the District developing that plan looking at their local situation looking at the needs of their students and developing that three year plan and and it's going to give districts a lot of flexibility in how the funds are spent but and what's really important is that districts are going to have to budget a hundred percent of the funds and and if they're going to transfer ESA funds to other categorical and funding sources they're gonna need to justify that that three year plans and those are not compliance plans for us to go in and and approve and say yes or no to but rather for us to be able to work with districts to have an understanding and and and how we support districts and what we're gonna be looking for is and after that the plans are being implemented is a district doing what they said they were going to do and are they and showing success with that if they're not showing success then. What is it that needs to be changed so that's the approach we would take with districts and that planning process and that we will also then be and providing an annual report that would begin in the fall of twenty twenty three and on the progress of schools in whether or not they're meeting their goals and I think it'll be a great way for us to have a much better understanding of how these ESA funds are being used to support student achievement in schools so that would be that the broad overview and and if you have any questions will help answer those. The person got free recognized. Thank you Mr chairman thank you Dr pepper I I think the six categories are great I think there's research and experience to support just how important those are and for promoting student achievement my question is about the pretty significant change from the goal of these ESA funds that were we're going from the purpose of these funds is to help close the achievement gap and now we're saying this funds are no longer for closing the achievement gap therefore enhancing student achievement that's a pretty significant change in my opinion I'm wondering if you can define what that means what does that mean to enhance student achievement what kind of goals what a school district including their plan to enhance student achievement why the change from closing the achievement gap. So is the actual name change to enhance student achievement funds was made during the last session and and when that when it went from just the category of in a self funding to enhance student achievement so I don't think it is that and the goal is not to closing achievement gaps and because obviously we and we don't want there to be gaps in achievement for students I think they approach them is about looking to see what is it that what are the needs of the school district because the needs to very districts that have higher percentages of poverty students and have more challenges to address with more students so in this just gives an opportunity in the planning to really look at and the needs of the students in each district and and if there are active duty academic achievements then there should be things put in place to help make sure that students are being successful so the plans really should be targeted based on and the student needs If the needs are around health and safety or social and emotional support and you know looking at and how those are going to be applied in in each situation and school districts so I think that would probably be multiple goals and addressed in a plan from a school district each year and and so it really is more about and very intentional purposeful planning based on data and then monitoring to see if that's having success thank you follow up just so just to clarify some districts you know if it if it doesn't meet their specific needs are they don't see it as a particular target. Schools would not be required to include call stored nearing the achievement gap and and there yes they plans so there is there would not have to be a specific goal for that now thank you. Deffenbaugh. Thank you Mr chair just a quick question for either one of you Have you got any kick back from superintendents. So we we worked with the and superintendents on this and we spent a lot of time and I I challenge them to look at these categories and look at what they are currently doing to determine whether or not this was going to limit them in a way that was going to happen it and negative impact and I believe that they are supportive of the legislation and we've and where we're going to continue to work with districts they're actually going to be helping to develop the template for the plan because the only to be updates to two codes we need to make sure that our financial people in districts are working on this as well so that and all those pieces really come together. I appreciate. Rectified you're recognized did you have a question. Okay Robson Murdock. Thank you chair that's why for so the biggest along the same lines that the the the the the the district leaders are. In concert with this and specifically you addressed it I think would represent go out for a little bit the flexibility they need to have those unique situations this will allow for that this would not impair it will allow for that's my reading of it I'm just saying it in committee you know to make sure I understand that the the goal is to address more then confining so when we talk about achievement the all the words of treatment gap persists now enhance whatever whatever the words are the operational affect is that we have the flexibility to address the concerns of each in every district uniquely. That's the purpose right and that's what we're saying here that is the purpose and and I think when there are too many gaps there often can be very different reasons for those gaps depending on and the local and district situation and how that and is approached would look different as well but with this there's also then the accountability and that reflection that we go you know towards and just making sure that. Districts are headed down the right path one quick look please. There is not any. I want to make sure that there's not any punitive. That means here I mean possibilities in in terms of possibly losing that funding it would be more of a coming together if there are some issues. With this technical or whatever because we know certain districts capacities change from time to time and just have different challenges and we will be more this allows for. That you will work with them versus anything else that is correct thank you so much. Any other questions. Seeing none. C. one the audience like speak against the bill for the bill. But close we will see some clothes from bill Mister chair and make a motion to pass a motion to passion discussion on the motion Richmond got for. Thank you Mr chair it and again I I certainly appreciate if the funds in general I I think this funds are vital I think they're intended to really recognize and address and the gaps that we see that that students in poverty need additional educational support and additional supports that schools can provide and so I'm I'm very much in favor of continuing to provide if they funds but I do think it's important and that the reason we give additional funds for send students in poverty is that they do need extra and they do need more and because of that tendency we see permit for students of color and students in poverty to achieve unfortunately incomparably lower than their their peers and so it worries me a little bit that we're taking out that requirement and focused on and the achievement gap I understand their multiple facets to student achievement I agree with all of those but by taking away the requirement that we're constantly reflecting on in and assessing and looking at achievement gaps it's concerning to me and I've said that I'll be voting no thank you. Russia Murdock you're recognized. Okay but if you can you closing Representative is very close well it will go back there was this between us. Discussion between a member. Right so. Media I guess what I'm I'm sort Committee probably say something we will still be dark clothes for the okay I'm certainly here and represent Godfrey what what I I don't want to be missing is the opportunity to do what she's saying the I can deal with the words if the if the bill as I understand it does not take that away that's what I'm what I'm here you are concerned that. Yes I know it I'd be happy to try to dress in some fashion you know I think you have to look at what status quo is riding with status quo is you're allowed to spend these dollars on a specific list of things with no no options for flexibility within school districts no options for outside the box thinking no optional the real plan for accountability to prove that it's actually achieving what's happening as it stands right now as I understand it there's a list of things you can spend this money on and you draw those funds and spending money on these things now we're creating a system which creates two different things one is it creates flexibility for the district to be able to spend these dollars in in broader ways to an application process right it's not a free for all it has to be justified to one of the six categories and then additionally it provides the following mechanism so that if you're not achieving the goals stated there's an opportunity for discussions to be had back and forth between the part of education the school district to say Hey this is achieving what we planned so to me again I appreciate the wording I understand her it did represent Godfrey's comments and concerns on the wording but I think the intent of this bill is very strong I think it's a marked improvement over status quo and so I think it's a good bill to support so with that said so the bill would be. More given us more flexibility to close the achievement gap then what status quo currently then what currently exists that's the way I see the dental as well but I was here is something different I want to add a definitely want to make sure I think there's some nuances in the wording and I appreciate what represent got first trying to say I think I think the wording change I create some question of intent but but I think the intent is true and I think he is more local law you know no one understands the district's needs better than the local districts and this gives them the opportunity if there's something that they think they can spend the money on that they really have discovered this a great way for them to close these gaps to to improve achievement and now they're not you know corner to a specific list they can plot their process in the have to have accountability Capitan to that so. You know this really hasn't changed anything on the name the name was our last time it was the same name and we really not changing I will close the gap we're still closing the gap is just if it's ESA notice to the in a so I funds like we we just never did like that name national. School lunch didn't fit so that's the only thing that really changed on the name was changed like Senator Clark did that I believe the session before last he just and really like that so I guess the question is which is kind of a clean up of how the health of the stuff which was a dispersed out and trying to limit not limited but this clean it up of late one out and and and and I'm I'm not positive I haven't read that all that part of it but I think that's kind of what it is it's really not change a lot of how the kids get the money what this about it's still about closing the gap and it's just the way that the the new language sets it in there so I don't think it you know you still say that you self closing the gap is not going to keep a post a school for doing that so my discussion I think coachable your next. Thank you Mister I know I'm not supposed Estes in the form of a question so put it like this I hope that school resource officers are still part of this plan yes in in in in in my discussions with the administrators I don't think any any current expenditures would be excluded that and certainly there's a pathway for school resource officers and in these buckets all righty thanks Charlie. Gloria means a person that's okay. Thank you you said this but to me when we enhance the learning. Only enhance the learning of all students we're closing the gap if everybody is getting better than that's closing the gap so I think it's just a matter of semantics. I'm voting yes. I believe we have love next. Thank you Mr in in represent a fight I hope it is about the semantics because of in the testimony that I just heard Dr Pfeffer said it's not it's not the focus on the achievement gap anymore close image evening gap in so the I guess that causes me causing concern as well because if the original intent was to close achievement gaps in walls I think the flexibility in the in the bill I think the flexibility was great. If the focus is no longer online specifically calls in the treatment gap that that that's where the concern is I think like I said I think the the bill is great as far as providing additional flexibility to the school districts but I think that if the main focus or if the main intent was to actually focus on the treatment gap and now we're no longer having to focus on the achievement gap itself then I think that that's the way the pause and concern conveyance so I understand that I think I would say that the again comparing to what we do presently this this process brings us closer to a place where we can really examine whether we call it an achievement gap or improvements in achievement it gives us a chance to really look at what those discrepancies are because now we are tying some accountability to how the districts are spending this funding in a way that it has been before so certainly it's my hope that that's the into the bill I believe it is and I think it's a good good piece of legislation administer the right direction thank you. Hopefully we're starting the very top of our spending funding to start closing the achievement gap and don't wait till we get to the bottom to have to use this funding and that's kind of what has happened in the focus really needs to start at the top and we need to start focusing from the very start of clothes achievement gap I have a pretty good list here let's go on a Russian Lowery approach back in Murdock. Thank you Mr chairman but my understanding that if and I think this is the bill that we've been waiting on was that one when we changed when Senator Clark changed pass the law the bill last time changing it from an SLA money to SO money it pretty much open walk wide open how the money could be spent and that it was going to be put on this legislature to clarify how it could be spent okay I think it it in the sense that the list that it currently can be spent on the SL dollars could be spent on a specific list of items that sunsets in July twenty twenty two so if we didn't take action this session with some piece of legislation to define how those dollars are spent then yes the fact the result would be these this list would sense that it could just be spent on anything absolutely so This targets not only targets what we want to do which is student achievement but it also does put in the accountability component which really has not existed before other than looking at achievement and we are and frankly recognize and not and I understand the concern that represented loves brought up you know we we've been spending this money probably for decades and the the I don't know that we call this anymore we used referred to it as the poverty gap at the achievement gap hasn't closed and so this if I read all of these different applications of how this money can be spent it is much more targeted towards teacher interventions and other types of resources that can help help I rise the achievement so I yeah I think it's a good step forward we certainly don't want that money just being able to be used for anything so this clarifies that yes if it doesn't hurt the. You I support this bill thank you at this thank you. Enter your question I believe this would have totally went away if we did not address that the money would not be available after that may be correct has that sense as to maybe the part of the sense that is we have a defined it so it's not the disapprove problems just not there of Representative got free. Sure thank you Mr chairman thank you Committee and again I. I know that I'm kind of stuck on this point and and to me it is a little bit different than semantics I understand that we changed the name of the estate finds you know from an SL funds last session that's not my issue my issue is that in in the bill there's no definition of what enhance student achievement is and what the goals might be and I understand that school districts have flexibility and that we're hoping you know the intent of all of these very important and necessary funding opportunities is to close this gap but with no requirement there and and a pretty significant change from closing the achievement gap which does have a and you know well defined and understood definition in schools to now kind of this new term which is enhance student achievement with no definition and and again of course flexibility is good but also does that mean school districts are now not required to. The accountability for that particular instance of closing achievement gaps Dr pepper said yes they're it they would not necessarily be required and of course districts would and should but are not required to into me again that's a significant enough change that I'm I'm I'm worried about that and I think we've seen in the committee and and your work last session that and that that you make ABS absolutely continue to exist among students in poverty incidence of color and I think the intent of of these funds is ten year those and I I just do feel concerned enough and that that requirement is not spelled out in the definition of enhance student achievement goals thank you it was not required before. But it. Does not required for. I got that from the admin. So if it was a record for this part was not back in there so just just kind of making a comment of Representative Murdock your. Thank you and represent Johnson. What happens as a result got freeze will and and guess in this portion of it but if it to to to to define. Enhance student achievement if they put a defined. They defined it would it possibly me yes because of the disturbing so different if if they don't use the words that they will monitor the achievement so so east district has a goal they have a predetermined they have to state a goal in the Fayetteville different from Lee County so. The the the expectation is different so how would they put how would you write in the legislation exactly what that he is with outside of saying that we will monitor it based upon your submission of what you're going to do how would you write it. Because it would have to be a one size fits all it is not so it and I was trying to make sure I'm squared with understanding what you were were you going because I'm hearing you for sure but each of these districts submits in the in the they're going to be monitored for adherence to what they submit in terms of their achievement the and won't that be a measurement that will be there at the in effect mandates that they are Chief. Is that the accountability piece the Senate. You can talk to me. What department is get education in the legislation that that's the that's the oversight piece that they have to ensure that if I submit something that I'm following it if I'm not following it then there's interventions that's what I'm call it that's what I'm hearing. Yes yeah I I think that's right to again I think my questions are just around what what the Department what except as an acceptable goal in the enhanced unit shipment plan and in the goals and it sounds to me that there's not a requirement to include narrowing the achievement gap that schools can put that in there plan if that makes sense for their district about the a focus that they want to you know that they want to prioritize but it's not required. So you think that I'm sorry so you think there's a possibility that district will put together a plan that does not include getting better. I don't think so but I don't think that specifically nearing the achievement gap. I mean that could be excluded within the state would not accept that when they said they they said they would accept a plan that didn't include that didn't include closing the achievement gap data it just would include. They're targeted local specific enhanced student achievement goals but would not necessarily have to include a goal around narrowing or closing the achievement gap and that's that's my concern I think that goals should be required in in in a student shipment plant and I understand perhaps that was previously but I think it's important enough and educational equity and improvement and using funds that are intended to close those gaps that we include that metric chairman. Is there any way possible that we can get a clarity on that because I hear the point but I think that we could be that department education clear on this point is that okay yeah I think we thank you let's look at this guy your Aidan thank you very very good discussion and and I agree with with with the chair I I believe we're kind of saying the same thing but neither send same words and. You know as a it is I think back through the of the the adequacy studies and in looking at all this and I know there's been a tremendous amount of talk between superteam Association over the over the last couple years of looking at these funds what they're using for I I think for just for the fact that it's you know very much a public record right now and Dr favors endorsing this product this this project that that requirement is there it's not been there before but it's going to be there now there's gonna be much more focus on closing those achievements and I think about two and thirty five million reasons why this is going to be a priority and she's going to hold the schools accountable because that's what we've been spending in order to try to close these gaps in right now it's not if it's not working but. I dont feel very confident very much support this and think it's a good thing. Reserve bank. Thank you Mister chair and I think the the the the the accountability part of I think those are great the great points to bring up but my concern would be is if you bring up to accountability and at the state level I think it's better at a local level level District do it because if you bring it up at the state level they don't achieve whatever they don't close the gap they want to you know that. Are you gonna going to the school and take control school gonna cut the funding all you know that that those are type issues that I don't know that just my point is is if you set a goal at the state level is not achieved in what what happens next where is if you set at the local level then they're more accountable to whatever goal that they set I think that's somewhat of a of a yeah I know it just seems like I don't know what you would do if it. If there was a goal set by the state and someone didn't make it how how would we address that issue just a. You want to dress that okay all right represent Murdock here's what I want to do since we passed testimony stage if you have a question directed at the doctor for ever correct we will ask that question or make a statement we will not go fast that so just be let her make her statement so if you want to she's come to the table. We will just let you after the question. Thank you Sir for indulgence back to favor could you. Clarified. You've heard the testimony could you clarify the issue we have that person got free have brought forth in help us understand better what we are. In the gray area about please. Senate and and I apologize for misunderstanding and I don't want anybody to take away from this that this is it this is about closing achievement gaps this is about supporting struggling learners this is about improving achievement for all. What has currently been in place has been a list of allowable expenditures two hundred thirty five million dollars a year that has been and that you did spent according to a list and add that list is expiring. And so what we worked with and superintendents to do was to re frame the approach to the ESA funds and how they were add budgeted how they would be spent and how we would how they would look to determine whether or not the fans were really addressing the needs of students so in and so there is there what has it been a prior plan okay districts in spending those dollars so I represented when you asked about the specific closing the achievement gap would it have to be in this plan there's nothing right now that ensures that districts are spending these funds to close the achievement gap because it may be depending on how they're spending the fund some districts in the funds for nurses and spend the funds first and school resource officers and spend it on programs or tutoring or things that are directly looking at state in academics but then there are those other components that also address student achievement so what we're saying here is that a district needs to take a look at what the needs are for students. In the plan every plan is going to look a little bit different we're not looking for at where we're allowing the districts to say these are the names these are the goals this is how we're going to know for being successful. Every year is are coming back and updating their budgets building noting whether or not they're being successful so we're going to be monitoring the success of the district's plans and reporting out for you all to understand here's happens are being spent and here are result in districts the alternate results will come out with and the data that we have each year if you look at our school report card and R. S.'s school index we have a lot of very specific data that goes down to every different student groups and gives very specific information at if there are students who are or are not achieving in school districts whether that are different races of students different economic and situations we can look district by district to see are there improvements being made or are there still concerns that we need to help address of these funds really are designed to help districts and really and address the needs of their students but especially those that have higher populations of students with and the most and most severe needs so. Thank you doctor ever. All right the more discussion. Give discussion. Thank you Mr. Yes the. While as I said before in this video is good in regards the flexibility you are taken out the pieces in which room Representative Godfrey stated. That the the money was intended to how many you can look to all the strife struck the language on the bottom of page four he'd basically he says is intended to close the achievement gap. You walk through that you can go through this bill and look at pieces in which the money was intended because here's the legislation the money was intended for that that you have happen to take all of that out in so. You we can say this is semantics but it wasn't legislation that this money was intended to do these things now I do not disagree with if you provide the flexibility they may be able to close the achievement gap. But in the legislation that you're striking through the negotiations tracking through it's a city police say it was targeted to close achievement gap because because it's right in the legislation and so when you take that let's just when you take that focus out. You're left with yes you have good tools but it's in regards to where do you focus does tools and I think that's what Representative got free is that is Sam because right here C. is appropriate approaches identified within the school district support plan required under this section addresses a disproportionate rate of low low income students of minority students that's a specific population of students in which you're trying to address to close the achievement gap and so therefore. I'm not saying that you should not focus on the achievement of all students but when but when you have specific when you have specific targeted specific targeted I guess What I'm at a loss for the word if well when you have specific targeted approaches that you can use for these populations and the take that all out. It's it's it's really it really becomes what are you focusing on the achievement gap closing achievement gap or can you close the treatment gap if you don't focus specifically on those target populations and so I think I think that's what Representative got free from the also can to and that's what I'm saying is that. The flexibility is great. I'm not I'm not knocking the bill but in the end when you take out the purposes because if this is what was in the bill then you leave it soon. discretion yeah of what are we gonna focus in that area so I mean if you just just in the name itself it's it's in here student achievement funding so the name itself is different right I mean used to it was than whatever we're calling national state lunch whatever it was that that doesn't have any barrier merit all so just in in the efforts that it's been made prior to the session to just say Hey this is a focus we need for years we've looked at this funding it's been out there we're gonna now call it the enhanced to the team five just by name itself it creates this focus of this is that our intent as a legislative body that we intend this funding to be for enhance student achievement and I understand your concerns about removing some this language I think this discussion that we're having here all of this is a process of moving us forward to a better way of creating accountability for this expenditure eight you know if we need to look at this as we move forward this is clearly gonna be something we're paying attention to because it is a new system it's gonna have a lot of scrutiny I think within this committee as we see how these plans rollout and so I think again I think it but I will I would I would have a question is represented Johnson because I believe all schools want to do this they all want to educate students however the thank the achievement gap is there it is not there because they intentionally trying not to educate the students but then when you start talking about equity in focus and where is your focus the the in enhancement can be on every single student it has to be sometimes targets a specific population I'm I'm I'm I'm I'm just saying you can't you can't have it you can focus you can have enhancement. That's fine I'm not I'm not trying to. I'm not trying to say that you don't try to enhance the education of all students the sometimes you is as far as the equitable situation you have to target specific populations in order to close the achievement gap that all I'm saying I understand I'm gonna lean on some of our colleagues who have more expanded cation but as I understand that the mainstream Achievement funding that's based on a formula that does target schools with increase poverty levels and so there is some there's some ideas in the language in here I'm just I'm just let you know that's what they do you're stuck to that language the formula decrease the funding still leans on those it It my graphics it is focused on schools that need to be. The funding is not the does not but to get that is focused on free reduced lunch and stuff like that so it's it's going to be there guys removal we have a bunch of our people have to leave to go to a luncheon today so would need to probably close up pretty quick without your consideration because we got two more bills we gotta get out yes Sir okay so real quick. I certainly understand now what would represent Godfrey and result is amazing so I ask you if you look at the legislation that what we're talking about yes but in the legislation it crosses out those intentionality that we're discussing in general there is an issue what what it may be just the dental mission as well I'm not committing that nobody is trying to do that but I think we're prison guard for brings out a great point in that that's omitted that those populations the intended focus is struck stricken through would that would be amenable for today that we would. possibly a minute just to have that yeah I'm sorry that all this is coming up in the discussion portion and not in a place we could have better action with a part of education because you know I it may shock you know I'm not the author of the bill even though the sponsor some of the new you know some of the nuances of the language what was stricken I do I do believe sincerely and I think we all do in this in this room and we keep talking about intent I think I think we all believe sincerely this dollars are meant to be spent in a way that does close the achievement gap I think we all agree this money is targeted towards schools that need the money and I'm happy to have open discussions I'm sure the publication is as well after the committee the if we need to amend it somewhere and I'm sure those discussions can be at. I've had a call for the question appears so we'll move on. We'll see about it so what we have motion do pass all in favor say aye hi he opposed no. Regulations you brush your bill. Our regularity would it does me let me run the national because my chair has to leave would you be okay with that let me run Jane English is bill and he has to leave right after that so the to do this real quick. Present Cozart you're recognized to introduce Senate bill thirty one. Thank you Mr chair this is a Senate bill considering was passed down to me and places principal bill is a public school that serves any student in grades ten to twelve shall administer college and career readiness assessments including a college including a career ready assessment that leads to a nationally recognized work readiness certificate as determined by the state board for each student before he or she graduates it's basically just cycling's ACT test or something like that for college career readiness that correct. The clothes you. So that's kinda where this is just a date they took a reading this assessment to see if they're ready to move on to this. That's basically it. Any questions from the committee. Represent got free. Thank you I know your sick a hearing from me but it this is an and the required test those students are taking the ACT and now would be required to take this as well I'm just wondering about you know additional instructional time lost and just all of and. There's a lot of testing that already happens in public schools and I I you know I at of course can see the benefit I know that some schools are already and mentors and administering a substance I guess I'm just kind of curious about the mandate just with is for is for career readiness if they're not playing on college but maybe going to career assessment but my understanding that all students are would be required to take it out all. High schools is incorrect I'm sorry I thought it was a shell right M. A. administer one for college and career readiness the body we got a bit of information about it. We make sure the sum of bill but I'm trying to. Overture. Ninety five for department of education and and Senator English had reached out to as and tenet to answer questions about this bill and so the and the bill would require all schools to offer the assessment there's not a student requirement here thank you thanks to the clarification. Thank you doctor for the clarification of the questions from the committee. See no questions anyone in the audience like to speak for the bill. Is the bill. Cozart ready close your bill yes I would like to closely bill I'm sorry I didn't know that question because like I said I'm just reading the bills are not talking to her directly about this I didn't realize that that was just a new thank you yes I'm close I'd like a motion to pass a motion to pass the discussion from committee. No discussion will vote on the motion of those per se I. Those may. Motion passes graduation by committee. Representative Lowery you're now recognised sent house bill fourteen twenty nine. We do have. We have an amendment on that bill so we'll take that amendment up first. You go. Chrissolari recognized to present your amendment to house bill fourteen twenty nine. Thank thank you very much members this is This is language that we worked out with the a a a the school superintendents it just changes we're talking the whole bill is about a waiting period for home school students to withdraw from a public school go to home school the law has been fourteen days we've been we're amending it to the amendment really refers to school days as opposed to calendar days which is very simple little fix and I'd appreciate your support for the amendment that's just the amendment part is changing the word to school days reading calendar days did you make a motion for amendment I'd make the motion is lotion. A discussion on the motion. All five amendment say aye. Papers No resolution press two members you may present your bill as amended as amended and and with your permission I'd like to have Jerry concert with family council join me. In. Mr chairman look let me just ask you a question process we do have a fiscal impact statement that shows that there. There is no fiscal impact but we have amended it do we need to suspend the rules on a new fiscal impact. You know I don't know but will make a motion to suspend the rules I have a motion. I have a motion reps of respin rules and present the bill with the about the updated fiscal impact. All in favor say aye I thank you both resolutions you that thank you thank you Committee the the background on this bill is that and and Jerry can fill in these pieces when this language was originally put in back and I think the mid to late nineties of today ninety nine the fourteen day waiting period was there because you know at that time yeah I mean that was almost it was a pre internet but a lot of the with the process of of getting home school materials was not as easy it is not as it is now home school students are able to you have to have the same access to a virtual and an internet training and things like that and so the the necessity for having that waiting period is specially fourteen days so that the home schooled student can get their materials in the family can get the materials in and there's no gap in their learning that his lessons so it brought brought the intent for us to then close that we frankly we wanted to remove completely the waiting period because right now if up if a student wants to leave a public school to go to a private school there is no waiting period. If a private school student wants to come to the public school there is no waiting period but we've put a waiting period on home school families so but you know we've gone ahead we've negotiated this down to five school days part of that the intent was the concern that was raised with me is that unlike of a public school students going to private school if there are Frances many school many students now are assigned Chromebooks or iPads for their learning of a public school student going to private school does it turn that equipment in the public school has some recourse they can hold the student's records or whatever until they get that they don't have that recourse with the home school students I mean there's no anticipation that home school students or students declaring from school are going to not be willing to turn that in but we are giving that five day so that the superintendent can be satisfied that all materials that are public school property have been turned back in we also have a provision in there that if the materials are turned in the very day that a family says I want to pull my child out to home school them and they turn over the equipment they turn over every piece of property of then the superintendent does have the flexibility to waive the next four days of the five day so injury I know there's one other part that you might wanna talk about on the discipline. Okay. Thank you Mr chair of members of the committee my name is Gerry **** I'm executive director of family council and I appreciate you taking up this bill we've been working on this bill for several months and I've had discussions with the department of education and with the administrators and. I can't speak for them but I think we've reached a you know a good agreement here a good compromise with this bill the the the overall intent that that I think we need to look at is how can we create as much equity with how a student would transfer from a public school to a private school as they would if they were going to a home school. Because we're talking about kids there in the public school so right now if it is a student in a public school wants to go to a private school they just leave they don't have to wait they can be under disciplinary actions and they could have a Chromebook in their car or whatever they do they just leave and I know that the The school could withhold the kids records I guess you know from the private school that they were going to kind of you know have a little bit a leverage that way but if your home school kids are or you want to go to a home schooled then there's the fourteen day waiting period. There is currently and it'll be still in the law if you're under disciplinary action you can't leave until it's all settled. And then it does give the superintendent under current law the ability to waive all that and just say go in peace you know I let you go. But what we're trying to do is to create greater equity between a student a public school kid that wants to go to a private school and won the Gulf wants to go to a home school try to create some more equity there and so this bill does move us in that direction but I think it does it in a very responsible way for example. The a student can't leave the public school and go to a home school if they're under disciplinary action that still there if they missed too many days of school if they busted all the windows out of the school building they they they can't leave until that's all settled in so that will remain in the law the other thing that remains in the law is the superintendents ability to waive all that same thing all we've done here is lower the number of days from fourteen calendar days. To five school days so the fourteen calendar days would really be ten school days so we cut that in half but we also added some language that the superintendent's wanted which was and you've got attorney and all your stuff that may belong to the school you can't leave until you turn all that in so they can't make call for the Chromebook or something like that and so that was language that they had asked for in in this. So again I think is a pretty good pretty good compromise between everybody as far as I know everybody seems okay the other thing that it does the Department asking we do some clean up language in there regarding some notarized copies of notices of intent which is old language that is unnecessary I think that may be in another clean that bill but they said great we're glad it's in this one as well and so with that Mr Cheryl be glad to answer any questions. Under question reversal of your question. In this this isn't a general question from from my knowledge because if we're speeding up the time. I just need I just want to know what is what is the school district's obligation to that child as far as the educational needs or. Make sure that the kids can educate the once they leave the the school district is there is there obligation there. And if so. Can do their obligation would be the same as it would if the student went to a private school once they walk out of the doors of the of the public school that then the Arkansas law says that a student has to be enrolled in a public school or private school or parochial school or a home school and so all of those are legal and legitimate means of educating a child and so once they leave the public school then the in there they're no longer under the authority of that that school estate is same as that they transferred from one public school to another if you go to the public school down the road in the public school you left has no more obligation to that student. I don't know if there was there was some sort of transition as far as insurance the the educational needs and that sounds amendment okay thank you the the home schooled student does have to register with the state and have forms on file again to private school kid doesn't have to register but they do have to register with the state do we know how long that process follow Mr do we know how long that process is always just instantaneous you just fill out a form and you submitted online okay all right thank you okay represent speaks. Thank you Mr chair. I still have some superintendents of my district that the they feel they need that fourteen days in order to Porter you know if the child's matter parents spent to give them some time to cool down and and maybe they'll stay in it with them and so they still reached out on to to me about it appreciate what you have done and do it you know you've tried to work with that and I appreciate that but that was some of the questions I was getting was the fourteen days but that would help them. If other questions Robson got free. Thank you Mr chair and I apologize if I missed this but and and I appreciate that and amendments you may in the collaboration but this section to about the driver's license requirement did you talk about that I apologize of so I just I was clear about what that is and why the changes being made if you could clarify that references an outmoded part of the law that no longer requires that and that was done a couple of years ago in this is just a language that you're referencing a part of a law that no longer exists so it's not a requirement anymore like I said as far as I know the department wants this done and I believe it's in other cleanup bills they're out here to just clean up old a language so far as I know there should not be any any opposition to that as far as I know. Any other questions. Seeing none. The one of the oldest like speak against the bill. For the bill. Like close for you will. Yes You know. We've always heard that you know making losses like making sausage it's not a real pretty process but you know you kind of like it when everything comes together I wish all the superintendents were on board we've we've worked in good faith with their administrator I mean with their association that represents their their interests and I think that this is been a good compromise and so I would appreciate your support and I make a do pass motion. Have do pass motion any discussion on the motion. Seeing none all in favor say aye. Any opposed no. Regulations you've passed your bill but that was as amended. Yes motion as amended or Basil okay with that all right you passed your motion thank you ladies and gentleman I think that's all on our agenda today we will prefectural Tuesday and create your indulgence thank you again for joining us today. All right.