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Update on Conference Committees - Session to end next week
03/05/2014

 

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There are multiple conference committees scheduled for Thursday. Committees can be scheduled with just one hour notice—so lobbyists and the interested public must basically camp out at the Statehouse at this time of the session because the content of bills can change dramatically within a matter of minutes.

 

The following relevant education bills will be addressed for the first time in a conference committee (more may be scheduled tomorrow):

 

SB 222; High School Student Athlete Concussions—10:30 am

Conferees:  Sen. Travis Holdman; Rep. Lloyd Arnold; Rep. Kreg Battles; Sen. Mark Stoops

 

Synopsis: As it currently stands, a student athlete who is removed from a game due to a suspected concussion may not return to play within 24 hours. Also requires football coaches and assistant coaches to complete a course concerning safety and concussions at least once every 2 years. The bill also provides civil immunity to football coaches under certain circumstances.

 

HB 1028; Adult High Schools—11:30 am

Conferees: Rep. Dale Devon (chair); Sen. Carlin Yoder; Sen. Karen Tallian; Rep. Vernon Smith

 

Synopsis: Regulates the creation of new adult high schools (charter schools) and funds them through specific state appropriations.

 

HB 1319; Various Education Issues—2:30 pm

Conferees: Rep. Bob Behning (chair); Sen. Dennis Kruse; Sen. John Broden, Rep. Shelli Vandenburgh

 

Synopsis: The bill includes several provisions, including the following:

  1. Provides that the commission on education may study and evaluate issues relating to the education of the citizens of Indiana.

  2. Adds a school counselor to the definition of a teacher.

  3. Provides that a student's latest PSAT test results are included in the student's official high school transcript.

  4. Changes the date on which a school corporation's annual performance report must be published from between January 15 and January 31 to between March 15 and March 31.

  5. Requires the department of education to disaggregate from the ISTEP program test results the percentage of students in each school and each grade who are identified as high ability students by the school corporation who achieved a score in the highest performance level designated for the ISTEP program test.

  6. Requires the department to assign unique identifiers for students whose parents are active duty members of the armed forces.

  7. Requires the department to develop a format for school corporations to publish, as part of the school corporation's annual report, the percentage of students in each school and each grade who are identified as high ability students and also achieved a score in the highest performance level designated for the ISTEP test.

  8. Requests the legislative council to assign certain topics to the commission.