State Budget and Legislative Update

California Consortium for Independent Study (CCIS)

Presented by:Barrett Snider, Partner - Capitol Advisors Group

CCIS Legislative Advocate in Sacramento

Materials Online

www.ccis.org

CCIS Advocacy Efforts

• Recent Changes to Independent Study Law• Change to Pupil Teacher Ratio by Grade-

span requirement• Regular IS vs. Course-based IS• Changes to Vaccination Requirements• State Budget and school funding• Sacramento and 2016 Election politics

Recent Changes to Independent Study

1. Permits written agreements to be maintained on file electronically

2. Provides that LEAs shall not be required to sign and date pupil work products when assessing the time value of pupil work products for apportionment purposes

3. Allows LEAs to enter into year-long master agreements

Pupil Teacher Ratios

For 2014-15:

• CDE and State Controller guidance to auditors was to effectively ignore LEAs that failed to meet the grade span pupil teacher ratio requirement

Change in 2015-16 State Budget:

• Removed requirement that pupil teacher ratios be calculated by grade spans

• Goes back to how it used to be…

New “Course-based” Independent Study

• Creates a “course-based” Independent Study option, beginning in 2015-16, for pupils in Kindergarten through grade 12• This is DIFFERENT from regular Independent

Study• This has DIFFERENT requirements than

Independent Study• There are lots of issues here – proceed with

caution• CCIS did not advocate for “course-based”

option, was an ask by Department of Finance

Part 2: New “Course-based” Independent Study

• It is an optional alternative to regular Independent Study

• May offer it commencing with the 2015-16 school year

• May be offered to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12

• Includes school districts, county offices of education, and charter schools

• Strongly advise NOT utilizing it – at least for now

Part 2: New “Course-based” Independent Study

Required elements:

• Signed learning agreement completed and on file

• Highly Qualified teachers and employed at the LEA (or MOU)

• Pupils meet residency, enrollment, and age requirements

• Teacher and pupil must communicate twice per calendar month to assess satisfactory progress (in person, by telephone, or other live visual or audio connection)

• A proctor must administer examinations (issues)

• “Satisfactory educational progress” must be made to stay enrolled

Part 2: New “Course-based” Independent Study

• “Satisfactory educational progress” can include:• Statewide tests, completion of assignments, examinations or other indicators

that evidence the pupil is working, learning, and making progress toward successful completion of course

• “As determined by certificated employee providing instruction”

• If satisfactory progress is not being made1. Notification to pupil and parents

2. Conduct an evaluation to determine if alternative placement should be made

3. Maintain a written record of the unsatisfactory progress evaluation which is considered a mandatory interim record and must be maintained for 3 years

• Maintain written or computer-based evidence of satisfactory progress for each pupil and each course. Evidence shall include:• A grade book or summary document that lists all assignments, examinations

and associated grades.

Part 2: New “Course-based” Independent Study

• Statewide testing results must be disaggregated to compare with pupils enrolled in classroom-based courses

• Pupil cannot be required to enroll in “course-based” independent study

• Independent Study Ratio (EC 47612.5) requirements must be met

• Pupils must be offered the minimum annual total equivalent instructional minutes

• Pupils must met applicable minimum daily instructional minutes

• Courses for HS graduation, UC/CSU admission cannot be offered exclusively through IS

• Pupils enrolled in these courses may not be assessed any prohibited fees

• Cannot prohibit from participating solely based on not having equipment, or internet

2016 Efforts

• Allow ALL documents currently required for auditing purposes to be accepted and maintained electronically

• Clarify Independent Study alternative for unvaccinated students• “not receiving classroom-based instruction”

SB 277 (Pan/Allen)

• Eliminates the personal belief exemption from the vaccine requirement for school aged children

• Applies to public and private schools (except home-based private)

• Begins in the 2016-17 school year

• Exemptions to be limited to only medical reasons

• Process for personal belief exemption available until January 1, 2016• Does not apply to students entering Kindergarten or grade 7• Otherwise, remains in place until the student moves into 7th

grade

SB 277 (Pan/Allen)

• Special Ed students cannot be denied access to services outline their IEP due to being unvaccinated

• Two alternatives:• Home-based private school• Independent study program “that does not include

classroom-based instruction”

• CCIS working with CDE/DPH on guidance

• Expect lawsuits

• In the meantime: Be careful – remember intent

State Budget

• 2015-16: best budget for schools - ever

• State revenues about $1 billion ahead of estimates

• November: LAO State Revenue Estimates

• January: Gov’s 2016-17 Budget Proposal• Prop 98 (Maint. Factor/settle-up)• LCFF Funding• Boat load of one-time money

• LCFF vs. Prop 98

2016 Politics

• Legislative leadership changes

• Legislature: Friedrich’s case, teacher evaluation, local reserve cap

• State Board of Education: State accountability and LCAPs

• 2016 Ballot – Prop 30 extension, school bond, vaccinations(?), a million other things…

• Federal: ESEA reauthorization?

Contact Information

Thank you, please contact us if we can provide additional information:

• Barrett Snider - barrett@capitoladvisors.org