HCS/HB 2152 - Under this act, a school intervention team, which shall mean a group of persons representing certain schools as set forth in the act, may submit a state innovation waiver plan to the State Board of Education for certain purposes, including improving student readiness for employment, higher education, vocational training, technical training, or any other form of career and job training; increasing the compensation of teachers; or improving the recruitment, retention, training, preparation, or professional development of teachers. The Board may grant school innovation waivers to exempt schools from requirements imposed by current law, or from any regulations promulgated by the Board or the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. If a school innovation waiver is granted to a school district or group of school districts, the waiver shall be applicable to every elementary and secondary school within the school district or group of school districts unless the plan specifically provides otherwise.
Any plan for a school innovation waiver shall contain certain information as described in the act, including the specific provision of law for which a waiver is being requested and an explanation for why such provision of law inhibits the goal stated in the plan. The plan shall also demonstrate that the intent of the law can be addressed in a more effective, efficient, or economical manner and that the waiver or modification is necessary to implement the plan.
In evaluating a plan submitted by a school innovation team, the Board shall consider whether the plan meets certain criteria set forth in the act. The Board may propose modifications to the plan in cooperation with the school innovation team.
Any waiver granted under this act shall be effective for no longer than three school years, but school innovation waivers may be renewed. No more than one school innovation waiver shall be in effect with respect to any one elementary or secondary school at one time.
The State Board shall not authorize the waiver of any statutory requirements relating to school start dates, teacher certification, teacher tenure, or any requirement imposed by federal law.
Finally, the act repeals a provision of law relating to waivers of administrative rules adopted by the State Board of Education or implemented by the Department.
This act is identical to a provision in HCS/HB 1753 (2022) and is similar to a provision in the truly agreed CCS#2/HCS/SS/SCS/SBs 681 & 662 (2022), a provision in SCS/HB 2202 (2022), and SB 1009 (2022).
JAMIE ANDREWS