CS FOR HOUSE BILL NO. 256(EDC) - Summary

• Replaces the term "intervention" with "restoration" throughout Alaska education law to describe the Department of Education's process for improving low-performing schools.

• Establishes a collaborative support process for schools designated as low-performing, including selection of independent experts and qualified coaches to assist districts in the first, second, and third years after designation.

• Creates a school improvement team by year three consisting of the commissioner, state Board of Education member, superintendent, four coaches, and local school board member to develop a three-year restoration plan with authority to redirect district budget funding.

• Adds new department accountability requirements by mandating school district superintendents provide annual evaluations of the Department of Education to the Department of Administration addressing staff support, contact level, and reporting burden.

• Requires teacher contracts issued after the Act's effective date to include a term mandating departing teachers complete the department's exit survey.

• Amends the State Board of Education's duties to review department compliance with school monitoring and restoration provisions and provide superintendents and school boards with at least 10 days' notice before considering related board agenda items.