Relating to the future ready Iowa Act and other efforts to strengthen Iowa’s workforce, including a child care challenge program for working Iowans, a workforce diploma pilot program, computer science instruction, work-based learning coordinators, and the senior year plus program, and including applicability provisions

Sponsored by the Senate Commerce (companion To Hf 2384 By Committee on Commerce) Committee

Topics:State budget Jobs & workers Child care

Same legislation: SSB 3077, HSB 607, HF 2384, SF 2414, HF 2629

Write your legislators about itWhat changed before it passed

Official bill page Lobbyist declarations One-pager to print

Where it is now

Done: IntroducedJanuary 27, 2020
Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 28, 2020
Done: Senate committeeFebruary 18, 2020
Skipped: Passes the SenateContinued as SF 2414
Next: House committee
Next: Passes the House
Next: To the Governor
Next: Signed into law

Became SF 2414 → Its progress continues under the new number. Go to SF 2414 What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill adds to and modifies the Code provisions enacted by the future ready Iowa Act. The bill is organized by divisions and includes conforming changes. DIVISION I —— FUTURE READY IOWA APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING PROGRAMS. Subject to an appropriation of funds by the general assembly, Division I creates a future ready Iowa expanded registered apprenticeship opportunities program that is similar to the existing future ready Iowa registered apprenticeship development program. The purpose of the new program is to provide financial assistance to encourage apprenticeship sponsors of apprenticeship programs with or fewer apprentices to maintain apprenticeship programs in high-demand occupations.

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The division provides that at least one of the apprentices in an eligible apprenticeship sponsor’s program must be in an eligible apprenticeable occupation. Financial assistance includes but is not limited to a reimburseable grant of $1,000, but such a grant shall not exceed $20,000 annually.1 is ineligible to receive financial assistance under the new program during the same fiscal year. An eligible apprenticeship sponsor, as defined for purposes of the new program, who meets the requirements of the existing program may receive financial assistance under the existing program if the eligible apprenticeship sponsor is not receiving financial assistance under the new program during the same fiscal year. However, an apprenticeship sponsor who trains through a lead apprenticeship sponsor that qualifies for financial assistance under Code chapter is ineligible for financial assistance under the new program. DIVISION II —— IOWA CHILD CARE CHALLENGE FUND. Division II establishes an Iowa child care challenge program under the department of workforce development and creates an Iowa child care challenge fund in the state treasury as a separate fund under the control of the department. The department shall administer the program in consultation with the workforce development board. The purpose of the program is to encourage and enable businesses, nonprofit organizations, and consortiums to establish local child care facilities and increase the availability of quality, affordable child care for working Iowans. A business, nonprofit organization, or consortium seeking matching moneys must submit an application and a proposal for the new construction of a child care facility, rehabilitation of an existing structure as a child care facility, or the retrofitting and repurposing of an existing structure for use as a child care facility to the department; a financial statement and a description of funds to be provided; and a plan for sustainability. The division directs that a portion of the moneys deposited in the Iowa employer innovation fund, in an amount determined annually by the department of workforce development in consultation with the workforce development board, shall be transferred annually to the Iowa child care challenge fund.13, to be used for purposes of that program, and any moneys deposited after June annually in the Iowa child care challenge fund that remain at the end of the fiscal year shall be transferred to the Iowa employer innovation fund to be used for purposes of the Iowa employer innovation program. DIVISION III —— WORKFORCE DIPLOMA PILOT PROGRAM. Subject to an appropriation of sufficient funds by the general assembly, Division III requires the department of workforce development to establish a workforce diploma pilot program to qualify eligible program providers to implement programs in accordance with the department’s rules, and to assist students who are beyond school age to obtain a high school diploma while developing employability and career and technical education skills. Under the division, “eligible program provider” means an institution that is accredited by a regional accrediting agency. It may be a public institution, a nonprofit institution, or a private diploma-granting institution, that has at least two years of experience providing adult dropout recovery services, including but not limited to recruitment, learning plan development, and proactive coaching and mentoring culminating in the issuance of high school diplomas. “Unit of credit” means credit awarded based on successfully meeting subject area standards, expectations, or guidelines. To meet the criteria for qualification to participate in this program, an eligible program provider must provide evidence of experience and abilities enumerated by the division. The department shall publish a list of qualified providers by September annually. A qualified provider must commence its pilot program within days of the date on which the contract is signed by all parties. The division sets forth the milestones providers must meet and the payment amounts the department must pay a provider when each milestone is met. The department shall provide payment to a qualified provider in the order in which invoices are submitted until all moneys appropriated for such purpose by the general assembly are exhausted and must also provide a monthly update to qualified providers, including the aggregate total moneys paid to qualified providers to date and the estimated number of enrollments still available for the program year. By July annually, the qualified provider shall report all of the metrics from the previous fiscal year, as identified by the division, to the department. The department shall review data to ensure the programs are achieving minimum program performance standards and measures set forth by the division. The department shall place a qualified provider that does not meet the program performance standards for the previous year on probationary status for the remainder of the current fiscal year. A provider who fails to meet the minimum performance standards after two consecutive years is ineligible for the program. DIVISION IV —— COMPUTER SCIENCE INSTRUCTION —— K-12. Division IV relates to computer science instruction in kindergarten through grade 12, amending Code provisions establishing the minimum educational standards and establishing or modifying computer science instruction-related responsibilities of the state board of education, the department of education and its director, and school districts and accredited nonpublic schools. Commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, under the division, accredited schools must offer and teach computer science instruction that incorporates the computer science education standards adopted by the state board of education in at least one grade at the elementary level and at the middle school level. In grades 9-12, commencing with the 2021-2022 school year, one-half unit of computer science that incorporates the computer science education standards adopted by the state board must be offered and taught, but the one-half unit may be offered and taught online. Each school district and accredited nonpublic school must develop and implement a K-12 computer science plan by July 1, 2021. The new language replaces obsolete language relating to full implementation of the core curriculum by the 2014-2015 school year. The director of the department is directed to develop and implement a statewide K-12 computer science instruction plan by July 1, 2021. The department is directed to convene a computer science work group to develop recommendations to strengthen computer science instruction and for the development and implementation of a statewide campaign to promote computer science to K-12 students and to the parents and legal guardians of such students. The work group must submit its findings to the general assembly by December 15, 2020. The division also strikes language which requires that the state board’s rules providing for the establishment of high-quality standards for computer science education taught by elementary, middle, and high schools be applicable only to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools receiving moneys from the computer science professional development incentive fund or from other funds administered by the department.3.16.2. The inclusion of this specification is intended to reinstate the requirement of political subdivisions to comply with any state mandates included in the division. DIVISION V —— SUPPLEMENTARY WEIGHTING —— SHARED OPERATIONAL FUNCTIONS.11(5) provides supplementary weighting for school districts and area education agencies that share specified operational functions for at least percent of the school year. Supplementary weighting under this provision is available for school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2019, through the budget year beginning July 1, 2024. Division V adds a work-based learning coordinator to the list of eligible operational functions and positions eligible for a supplementary weighting of three pupils. The division applies to school budget years beginning on or after July 1, 2020, through the school budget year beginning July 1, 2024. DIVISION VI —— FUTURE READY IOWA SKILLED WORKFORCE LAST-DOLLAR SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM. Division VI directs the state board of education to adopt administrative rules establishing a process by which the department of education shall approve structured educational and training programs that include authentic worksite training for purposes of participating community colleges, then expands the definition of “eligible student” under the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program administered by the college student aid commission. Current law limits scholarship eligibility to new high school graduates who enroll full-time in an eligible institution by the fall semester following graduation or completion of private instruction, and to adult learners who enroll full-time or part-time in an eligible institution. The division amends the definition to include individuals who, following high school graduation, completion of private instruction, or receiving a high school equivalency diploma, and prior to becoming an adult learner, enroll full-time in an eligible institution for a regular semester or part-time for a summer semester; high school graduates, persons who complete private instruction, and recipients of high school equivalency diplomas who prior to becoming adult learners enter into full-time or part-time employment as part of an approved state-recognized work-based learning program and enroll full-time or part-time in an eligible program in an eligible institution; and adult learners who are at least age at the beginning of the state fiscal year and enroll full-time or part-time in an eligible program in an eligible institution. DIVISION VII —— SENIOR YEAR PLUS PROGRAM AND POSTSECONDARY ENROLLMENT OPTIONS. Division VII amends provisions under the senior year plus program by eliminating references and provisions relating to full-time and part-time enrollment.

Changed since by amendments S-5141, S-5138, H-8241; see Amendments.

Full bill text · What changed before it passed¹

Senate subcommittee

Named February 26, 2020. Meeting: Tuesday, March 3 · 1:00 PM · RM G17.

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Fiscal note

AI summary This bill expands apprenticeship programs, creates a child care challenge fund, updates computer science instruction standards, and modifies scholarship and enrollment programs. The fiscal impact of the apprenticeship and child care divisions cannot be determined because specific appropriation amounts are not provided. For computer science instruction, a $4.0 million settlement from a Microsoft lawsuit will be used to support school districts, and the fiscal impact on the Department of Education is expected to be minimal.²

Read the fiscal note

Description

House File 2629 adds to and modifies the Iowa Code provisions enacted by 2018 Iowa Acts, chapter 1067 (Future Ready Iowa Act), and other efforts to strengthen Iowa’s workforce, including an apprenticeship training program, a Child Care Challenge Program, computer science instruction, a scholarship program, and a Senior Year Plus Program. This Bill is organized by divisions. The Bill may contain a State mandate, as defined in Iowa Code section 25B.2(3).

DIVISION I — Future Ready Iowa Apprenticeship Training Programs.

Division I creates an Expanded Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities Program that is similar to the existing Registered Apprenticeship Development Program. The purpose of the new Program is to provide financial assistance to encourage sponsors of apprenticeship programs with 20 or fewer apprentices to maintain apprenticeship programs in high-demand occupations. Implementation of this Division is subject to an appropriation.

DIVISION II — Iowa Child Care Challenge Fund.

Division II establishes an Iowa Child Care Challenge Program under the Iowa Department of Workforce Development (IWD) and creates an Iowa Child Care Challenge Fund under the control of the IWD. The IWD must administer the Program in consultation with the Workforce Development Board. The purpose of the Program is to encourage and enable businesses, nonprofit organizations, and consortiums to establish local child care facilities and increase the availability of quality, affordable child care for working Iowans. A portion of the moneys deposited in the Iowa Employer Innovation Fund created in Iowa Code section 84A.13, in an amount determined annually by the IWD in consultation with the Workforce Development Board, must be transferred annually to the Iowa Child Care Challenge Fund.

DIVISION III — Computer Science Instruction — Educational Standards.

Division III relates to computer science instruction in kindergarten through grade 12, amending Iowa Code provisions establishing the minimum educational standards and establishing or modifying computer science instruction-related responsibilities of the Department of Education (DE), school districts, and accredited nonpublic schools. Commencing with the 2023-2024 school year, accredited schools must offer and teach computer science instruction that incorporates the computer science education standards adopted by the State Board of Education in at least one grade at the elementary level and at the middle school level. In grades 9-12, commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, one-half unit of computer science that incorporates the computer science education standards adopted by the State Board must be offered and taught; however, the one-half unit may be offered and taught online. Each school district and accredited nonpublic school must develop and implement a K-12 computer science plan by July 1, 2022. The DE is required to develop and implement a statewide K-12 computer science instruction plan by July 1, 2022. The DE is required to convene a computer science work group to develop recommendations to strengthen computer science instruction and for the development and implementation of a statewide campaign to promote computer science to K-12 students and to the parents and legal guardians of students. The work group is required to submit its findings to the General Assembly by July 1, 2021. The establishment of high-quality standards for computer science education taught by elementary, middle, and high schools, as described in Iowa Code section 256.7, are effective July 1, 2021.

This Division may include a State mandate as defined in Iowa Code section 25B.3 and requires that any State mandate in the Bill be paid by a school district from the State Foundation Aid appropriation.

DIVISION IV — Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Last-Dollar Scholarship Program. Division IV directs the State Board of Education to adopt administrative rules establishing a process by which the DE must approve structured educational and training programs that include authentic worksite training for purposes of participating community colleges, then expands the definition of “eligible student” under the Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Last-Dollar Scholarship Program administered by the Iowa College Student Aid Commission. The Department of Education and the College Student Aid Commission are authorized to adopt emergency rules to implement the provisions of Division IV so as to take effect upon filing unless a later date is specified in the rules.

Division IV is effective upon enactment if approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2020. If Division IV is approved by the Governor on or after July 1, 2020, Division IV applies retroactively to July 1, 2020.

DIVISION V — Senior Year Plus Program and Postsecondary Enrollment Options. Division V amends provisions under the Senior Year Plus Program by eliminating references and provisions relating to full-time and part-time enrollment.

Background

DIVISION III — Computer Science Instruction — Educational Standards.

In 2017, SF 274 (Computer Science Education Act) was enacted to expand computer science opportunities for students statewide. Included in the legislation was the establishment of the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund and a Computer Science Education Work Group. The Fund was established to provide for various forms of professional development relating to computer science and has received an annual appropriation of $500,000. The Work Group issued its recommendations in 2017 on how to expand and strengthen computer science education in the State.

The Department of Education recently issued the Computer Science Education in Iowa report, which details the implementation of computer science instruction in school districts and district needs to support computer science education. It is estimated that 51.0% of elementary schools, 39.0% of middle schools, and 38.0% of high schools will need to either incorporate computer science instruction with current staff or add additional teachers to teach computer science to meet the requirements of this Bill.

A settlement of a Microsoft class-action lawsuit will provide $4.0 million to be used for school districts to support Division III of the Bill. The funds will be used for supporting computer science professional learning and training for teachers, virtual computer science curriculum for Iowa schools, and computer science curriculum for schools.

DIVISION V — Senior Year Plus Program and Postsecondary Enrollment Options. The Senior Year Plus Program offers a variety of options for eligible students, including concurrent enrollment and Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO). A review of concurrent enrollment credits by the Department of Education completed during the 2018-2019 school year showed 819 students (1.8% of total enrollees) enrolled in 24 credit hours or more of coursework. One hundred seventeen districts (38.7%) enrolled at least one student in concurrent enrollment courses where credits associated with those courses met the definition of full-time enrollment (24 credits or more). The additional concurrent enrollment credit hours are already funded by supplementary weighting for an estimated total of $240,000 in State aid from the General Fund.

PSEO enrollment has been declining in the last several years. During the 2018-2019 school year, total PSEO enrollment was 1,014 students, down from 5,916 students in the 2010-2011 school year.

Assumptions

DIVISION III — Computer Science Instruction — Educational Standards. It is unknown how many school districts will choose to hire additional computer science instruction staff. DIVISION V — Senior Year Plus Program and Postsecondary Enrollment Options.

Based on an analysis by the DE of concurrent enrollment credits completed for school year 2018-2019, there may be an additional 143 students who exceed 23 credit hours during the 2020-2021 school year.
The fiscal estimates assume each student’s total credit hours will increase by 4.1 credits.
The average cost per credit is estimated to be $71.
Under current law, the State cost per pupil for FY 2022 and all future years is $7,048.
PSEO costs will remain at $250 per course.
PSEO enrollment over the 23-hour credit limit may increase; however, the impact is expected to be minimal.

Fiscal Impact

The estimated fiscal impact of HF 2629, by division, is as follows:

Division I relates to an Expanded Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities Program administered by the Iowa Economic Development Authority (IEDA) and is subject to an appropriation of funds. The fiscal impact of Division I cannot be determined since the demand for the Expanded Registered Apprenticeship Opportunities Program is unknown and an appropriation is not provided. The current Registered Apprenticeship Development Program established in Iowa Code chapter 15C receives an annual General Fund appropriation of $1.0 million. If funds are appropriated, the IEDA annual administrative expenditures are limited to 2.0% of the funds appropriated.

Division II relates to the establishment of an Iowa Child Care Challenge Program and Fund. The Division will have a fiscal impact that cannot be determined because this Division authorizes the IWD to utilize a current appropriation for the new Program, and the impact on current education and training efforts supported by the Iowa Employer Innovation Fund cannot be determined because this Division does not specify the amount of the current appropriation that will be used for the new Program. Administration costs incurred by the IWD would be minimal and incorporated within the existing budget for the IWD.

Division III relates to computer science instruction. Division III will have minimal fiscal impact to the DE. However, the fiscal impact to school districts and accredited nonpublic schools cannot be determined. It is unknown how many school districts will choose to hire additional staff to meet the requirements of this Bill. School districts may choose to use current staff or incorporate computer science into current instruction or use an online course offering. School districts may have costs for additional staff, training and professional development of current staff, and curriculum. Some of that cost may be offset by the $4.0 million Microsoft class-action lawsuit proceeds or by funds in the Computer Science Professional Development Incentive Fund.

Division IV relates to the Future Ready Iowa Skilled Workforce Last-Dollar Scholarship Program. The Division will result in one-time and ongoing costs to the Iowa College Student Aid Commission in FY 2021 totaling an estimated $32,000. The ongoing costs will total between $5,000 and $6,000 in subsequent years. These costs will be funded from the Commission’s Strategic Reserve Fund, also known as the Operating Fund. The cost of awards under the Program is capped by an annual General Fund appropriation.

Division V relates to the Senior Year Plus Program and postsecondary enrollment options and is expected to increase State school aid from the General Fund by an estimated $42,000 beginning in FY 2022. Any increase in Postsecondary Enrollment Options (PSEO) enrollments may increase individual school districts’ costs; however, due to the recent decline in PSEO courses, the fiscal impact is expected to be minimal for school districts.