SB 895 – This act modifies provisions relating to school districts classified as provisionally accredited or unaccredited by the State Board of Education.SCHOOL ATTENDANCE AGE: In any provisionally accredited or unaccredited school district, parents and guardians must enroll their children in school at age five, as described in the act. (Section 160.057)
PRESCHOOL ATTENDANCE: This act creates a preschool program for children residing in provisionally accredited or unaccredited districts who are no more than two years away from kindergarten entry. The Department of Elementary and Secondary will administer the program. Eligible children must attend preschool through their school district of residence unless enrolled in another preschool, pre-kindergarten program, or Head Start program. Preschool services under this program will be at no cost for the children or their families. School districts providing preschool through this program may include the students in the district's weighted average daily attendance count for state school aid through the elementary and secondary education foundation formula. (Sections 161.236 & 163.412)
SUMMER SCHOOL: In any provisionally accredited or unaccredited school district, any student who is deemed to be underperforming by the school principal must attend summer school at a learning center. The district must pay the cost of the program but may include the student's attendance in its summer school attendance count. The district must follow up with the learning center for purposes of monitoring and determining the student's academic growth and achievement. (Section 170.0345)
LENGTH OF SCHOOL DAY: School districts that are provisionally accredited or unaccredited must adopt a seven hour school day for certain attendance centers.
If a district operates four or more attendance centers, it must adopt a seven hour school day for any school identified as being in the lowest twenty-five percent in terms of performance. Attendance center performance will be measured by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education based on standardized assessment data, achievement data, and other measures.
If a district has fewer than four attendance centers, it must adopt a seven hour school day for at least one attendance center. (Section 171.032)
MICHAEL RUFF