Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that repeals the use of academic distress commissions.

Highlights:

• Specifies that any academic distress commission organized for a school district as it existed prior to the effective date of this act is hereby dissolved (Sec. 1).

• Authorizes the superintendent of public instruction to designate each school building, and buildings designated as “in need of improvement” and shall have an improvement team put together within the first school year which will be made up of both parents and community stakeholders, and shall be responsible for the following, including (Sec. 1):

• Conducting a performance audit that reviews the needs of students, teachers, parents, and administrators;

• Developing a school improvement plan based on tiered, evidenced-based model; and

• Building a culture of student support among school faculty and staff.

• Specifies that the state board of education shall adopt rules establishing criteria for the state superintendent to consider when determining whether a building is deemed “in need of improvement” (Sec. 1).

• Requires that beginning July 1, 2019 the state superintendent shall convene with the state board of education and other stakeholders to determine and submit to the standing committee in the state house of representatives a report determining the best method to support school buildings that fail to meet improvement benchmarks (Sec. 1).

Full Bill Text