Legislative Briefs
Student reengagement
What it does: The 2019 Student Success Act established, among other things, a statewide reengagement system to provide educational opportunities for students ages 14 through 21 who have dropped out or are in danger of doing so. HB 2051 would modify the enrollment criteria, including expanding eligibility to students up to age 24 and to students who are enrolled but are not on track to graduate on time.
What’s next: The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a public hearing Wednesday, April 28.
College entry requirements
House Bill 2589A
What it does: High school equivalency tests such as the General Educational Development test are certified by the Higher Education Coordinating Commission. The HECC partners with the GED Testing Service to administer the test. HB 2589A would require each public university and community college to have the same developmental educational requirements and require the same placement tests for students who enter with a GED and students who enter from a traditional high school.
Special education
What it does: Currently, regional programs exist for children, up to age 21, with low-incidence disabilities who require specialized services. The types of disabilities that would allow a child to be eligible include visual impairment, deaf or hard of hearing, deafblind, orthopedic impairment, autism spectrum disorder, or traumatic brain injury. SB 53A would require the State Board of Education to fund programs for children with low-incidence disability and would establish a study of the special education programs provided on a local, county or regional basis.
Corrected: 4/26/21
Legislative notes:
House Bill 2817 (March 22 Legislative Briefs) would allow students enrolled in district-administered General Educational Development programs to participate in interscholastic activities at neighborhood schools. The Senate Education Committee has scheduled a work session Monday, April 26.