CT HB06499

Changes curriculum requirement from "foreign languages" to "world languages" at secondary level and specifies American Sign Language as a world language option taught by qualified instructors.

Adds "and genocide" to Holocaust education requirements and expands curriculum guidance to include personal financial management alongside existing historical topics (African-American, Puerto Rican, Native American history and Irish Famine).

Modifies reporting timelines and frequencies for various education programs: changes biennial to triennial facility reports, extends charter school report deadline to December 1, 2011, and updates youth service bureau reporting from annually to biennially beginning December 1, 2011.

Permits certified elementary education teachers to teach specialized courses (such as computer and information technology) in grades K-8 with Commissioner approval and requires districts to provide advanced placement course programs.

Updates truancy policies to require written notification by mail (in addition to telephone) warning parents that two unexcused absences in a month or five in a school year may result in a family with service needs complaint filed with Superior Court, with superintendent filing deadline of 15 calendar days.