H.F. 3871 Summary

• Requires culturally competent teachers to provide comprehensive, scientifically based reading instruction to ensure every child reads at or above grade level by the end of grade 3, including English learners, effective for the 2016-2017 school year and later.

• Mandates school districts adopt written, culturally competent policies for student dismissal that emphasize early detection of problems, adequate alternative educational services, and area learning centers cannot prohibit enrollment of expelled or excluded pupils solely based on prior expulsion or exclusion.

• Requires school districts to develop policies on the appropriate use of peace officers and crisis teams to remove students with individualized education programs from school grounds.

• Establishes a working group by June 1, 2016 with representatives from 30+ organizations to examine disproportionate identification of minority students and English learners in special education, dismissals, and non-general education placement; must submit recommendations by February 1, 2017 with goal of eliminating disparities by the 2020-2021 school year.

• Requires culturally competent individualized education program teams and district employees to conduct research-based instructional strategies before referring pupils for special education evaluation, consistent with cultural competency standards.