Bill > HB644

This bill establishes the Higher Education Evidence-Based Innovation Fund and Grant Program to support state institutions of higher education in adopting proven strategies to improve student success. The fund will be financed by legislative appropriations and private donations, and will be used to award competitive grants for programs aimed at increasing student retention, completion rates, and reducing the time to earn a degree, with a particular focus on low-income students. The bill defines "evidence-based reform or practice" as an intervention with demonstrated positive outcomes through rigorous research, and categorizes these into three tiers based on the strength of evidence and potential for impact. The Chancellor of Higher Education will administer the grant program, prioritizing applications that propose the highest tier of evidence-based practices, and will establish criteria for awarding grants based on student outcomes, access, sustainability, and the evidence supporting the proposed reforms.