Bill Text: IN HB1309 | 2012 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Educational equity.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 3-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2012-01-11 - First reading: referred to Committee on Education [HB1309 Detail]
Download: Indiana-2012-HB1309-Introduced.html
Citations Affected: IC 20-19-6; IC 20-31-5-4.
Synopsis: Educational equity. Establishes the office of educational
equity (office) within the department of education (department).
Provides that the office shall establish a framework to assist the state
and school corporations in recognizing and responding to
disproportionality within certain programs. Provides that the office
shall establish a framework to assist the state and school corporations
in recognizing and responding to disproportionality (which is definded
as the overrepresentation or underrepresentation of a particular student
population group in a particular educational program or system).
Provides that the office shall work with other offices and centers within
the department to develop effective monitoring and program
development to combat disproportionality that is found in school
corporations. Makes conforming amendments.
Effective: Upon passage.
January 10, 2012, read first time and referred to Committee on Education.
PRINTING CODE. Amendments: Whenever an existing statute (or a section of the Indiana Constitution) is being amended, the text of the existing provision will appear in this style type, additions will appear in this style type, and deletions will appear in
Additions: Whenever a new statutory provision is being enacted (or a new constitutional provision adopted), the text of the new provision will appear in this style type. Also, the word NEW will appear in that style type in the introductory clause of each SECTION that adds a new provision to the Indiana Code or the Indiana Constitution.
Conflict reconciliation: Text in a statute in this style type or
A BILL FOR AN ACT to amend the Indiana Code concerning
education.
Chapter 6. Office of Educational Equity
Sec. 1. As used in this chapter, "disproportionality" means the overrepresentation or underrepresentation of a particular student population group in a particular program or system, based upon criteria developed in section 6 of this chapter, such that the probability of a student being misidentified, misclassified, or inappropriately placed is significantly increased. The term includes the overrepresentation or the underrepresentation of groups based upon race, ethnic background, socioeconomic status, English proficiency, national origin, gender, or cultural factors.
Sec. 2. As used in this chapter, "office" refers to the office of educational equity established by section 3 of this chapter.
Sec. 3. The office of educational equity is established within the department to monitor and coordinate responses to issues of
disproportionality within and among the following programs or
systems:
(1) Student achievement.
(2) Discipline.
(3) Special education.
(4) Alternative education.
(5) Dropout prevention and graduation.
(6) High ability.
(7) Cultural competency or engagement.
Sec. 4. The office shall be administered by an associate
superintendent for educational equity who is designated by the
state superintendent.
Sec. 5. The office shall establish a framework to assist the state
and school corporations in recognizing and responding to
disproportionality by ensuring at least the following:
(1) The creation of a data system that is capable of detailing
state and school corporation level data on the extent of
disproportionality within and among the various programs
and systems described in section 3 of this chapter.
(2) The establishment of a statewide advisory board to assist
the department with the relevant issues associated with
addressing disproportionality and achieving equity.
(3) Coordination with other departments and agencies within
and outside the department in establishing regulatory
mechanisms to ensure accountability.
Sec. 6. The office shall work with other offices and centers
within the department to develop effective monitoring and
program development to combat disproportionality that is found
in school corporations. The activities under this section must
include at least the following within or among any of the programs
or systems described in section 3 of this chapter:
(1) Identifying the various criteria to be used at both the state
and school corporation levels to determine the existence of
disproportionality.
(2) Developing a notification process for school corporations
found to have disproportionality.
(3) Creating guidelines to assist school corporations described
in subdivision (2) to eliminate the disproportionality through
the school corporations' strategic and continuous school
improvement and achievement plans under IC 20-31-5,
including guidelines concerning technical assistance in
meeting targets to reduce disproportionality within a
reasonable amount of time.
(4) Developing and disseminating an annual report on the
extent of disproportionality at the state and school
corporation levels.
Sec. 7. (a) The office shall develop and disseminate information
to school corporations, parents, and the public concerning
disproportionality, including information concerning at least the
following:
(1) The influence or lack of influence of poverty.
(2) Unequal educational opportunities.
(3) Decisionmaking processes that result in unequal outcomes.
(4) Cultural factors.
(b) The office may disseminate information as the office
considers appropriate through Internet based sources and links.
Sec. 8. The office shall work with Indiana colleges and
universities and any other research institutions in Indiana to
engage in ongoing research to:
(1) improve methods of describing existing inequity and
disproportionality;
(2) gain further understanding as to why disproportionality
exists; and
(3) develop effective and evidence based procedures to reduce
and eliminate disproportionality.
(1) state objectives for a three (3) year period; and
(2) be annually reviewed and revised to accomplish the achievement objectives of the school.
(b) A plan must establish objectives for the school to achieve. These achievement objectives must be consistent with academic standards and include improvement in at least the following areas:
(1) Attendance rate.
(2) The percentage of students meeting academic standards under the ISTEP program (IC 20-31-3 and IC 20-32-5).
(3) For a secondary school, graduation rate.
(4) Any disproportionality identified under IC 20-19-6-6.
(c) A plan must address the learning needs of all students, including programs and services for exceptional learners.
(d) A plan must specify how and to what extent the school expects to make continuous improvement in all areas of the education system where results are measured by setting benchmarks for progress on an
individual school basis.
(e) A plan must note specific areas where improvement is needed
immediately.
(b) The state superintendent of public instruction shall appoint the initial individual to fill the position described under this SECTION not later than September 1, 2012.
(c) This SECTION expires January 1, 2013.
