Bill > SB161

This bill establishes a five-year pilot program called the "science early education program" to enhance students' academic performance in science and mathematics by integrating hands-on, age-appropriate physics education into the sixth through eighth grade curricula. The program will be administered by the department, which will contract with an organization for professional development and materials, and is specifically targeted at "high-poverty public schools," defined as those where 85% or more of students qualify for free or reduced-fee lunch. School districts can apply for their schools, with a maximum of ten schools selected to participate, aiming for geographic diversity, and each participating school must contribute half of the program's funding. Student progress will be measured through standardized assessments at the end of grades six, seven, and eight, and the department will report on the program's effectiveness to the legislature and governor. Additionally, a dedicated "science early education fund" is created to receive appropriations, gifts, grants, and donations, with an initial appropriation of $250,000 from the general fund for fiscal years 2015 through 2020.