HF4382 Summary

• Commissioner must create a statewide special education online system by 2019-2020 school year using federal IDEA forms, with mandatory use by all districts beginning 2021-2022.

• Establishes classroom size limits of 17 students per instructor (K-3), 19 (grades 4-6), 21 (grades 7-9), and 23 (grades 10-12) effective 2018-2019 school year.

• Increases teacher shortage loan forgiveness from $1,000 to $10,000 annually (maximum 5 awards per teacher) and appropriates $2.5 million in 2019 for "Grow Your Own" teacher recruitment programs targeting educators of color.

• Appropriates $26 million in 2019 for school safety grants including mental health professionals, counselors, security enhancements, and suicide prevention tools; requires one counselor/psychologist/social worker per 290 students.

• Requires minimum 16 hours of annual paid professional development for paraprofessionals and ensures noncertified staff retain compensation during e-learning days.