Signed by Governor Brad Little

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that expands the Advanced Opportunities program to nonpublic school students.

Highlights:

• Appropriates $750 for students not enrolled in public schools to use toward dual credits, postsecondary credit-bearing examinations, and career technical education certificate examinations. Students may access these funds in grades 7 through 12 in the following ways (Sec. 1-1):

• Up to $75.00 per credit hour may be used for dual credits. Dual credit courses must be offered by a regionally accredited post-secondary institution. To qualify as an eligible dual credit course, the course must be a credit-bearing 100-level course or 19 higher.

• The state department of education shall maintain a list of eligible postsecondary credit-bearing or career technical education certificate examinations and costs. Eligible examinations include:

• Advanced placement;

• International baccalaureate;

• College-level examination program; and

• Career technical education examinations that lead to an industry-recognized certificate, license, or degree.

• Requires the state department of education shall annually report to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives details regarding the number of students benefiting from assistance with the cost of dual credit courses and examinations, the number of credits awarded, and the amounts paid according to this section during the previous school year (Sec. 1-2).

• Requires the state department of education to reimburse postsecondary educational institutions, as applicable, for such costs, up to the stated limits, within 125 days of receiving the necessary data upon which reimbursements may be paid (Sec. 1-3).

• Requires the student to pay for and successfully earn credit or complete one like course before the state department of education pays any further reimbursements for the student if a student fails to earn credit or completes a course for which the department has paid a reimbursement (Sec. 1-4).

• .Requires schools to establish timelines and requirements for participation in the program, including implementing procedures for the appropriate transcription of credits, reporting of program participation, and financial transaction requirements (Sec. 1-5).

• Authorizes the state board of education and state department of education to take such actions as are necessary to implement the provisions of this section, including:

• The promulgation of any necessary rules; and

• Delegation of duties under this section to a third party

Full Bill Text