Bill > H4137

This bill: Establishes a Twenty-First Century Education Trust Fund to be administered by the Commissioner of Elementary and Secondary Education, funded by appropriations, bond proceeds, and other public and private sources. The fund will support a Twenty-First Century Education Program to address persistent disparities in student achievement, improve educational opportunities, share best practices, and support efficiencies within and across school districts. The bill also creates a Twenty-First Century Education Advisory Council to provide guidance on the program. Requires the Commissioner to establish statewide targets for addressing persistent disparities in student achievement, with districts required to develop 3-year plans to meet those targets, including a description of how funds will be allocated, evidence-based programs and interventions, and outcome metrics. Districts must submit these plans to the Department for review. Directs the Secretary of Education to collect and publish data on student preparedness for workforce and post-graduate success by school district and high school, including information on student access to high-quality instruction and coursework, participation in college and career readiness programs, and postsecondary application and acceptance rates. Revises the formula for calculating the foundation budget and required local contributions under the Chapter 70 school funding law, and establishes a data advisory commission to promote improved use of data to inform resource allocations. Provides a phased-in increase in special education reimbursement rates and charter school tuition reimbursement rates over several fiscal years.

House Committee on Ways and Means (H)

https://malegislature.gov/Bills/191/H4137