HB 2038 Summary

• Creates the Community Learning Schools Act to establish community learning centers at qualifying school sites that provide educational, developmental, family, and health services during and outside school hours through coordinated community partnerships.

• Applies to schools in improvement status under No Child Left Behind, the lowest-performing 15% of secondary schools statewide, secondary schools with 60% or lower graduation rates for 3+ consecutive years, or persistently low-performing schools, plus any school approved voluntarily by the board or charter school governing authority.

• Requires public information hearings (announced 45+ days in advance), followed by paper ballot elections requiring at least 50% parent/guardian participation with 67% approval and 50% teacher/support employee participation with 67% approval to initiate the community learning center process.

• Establishes school action teams with 12 members (7 parents/community members, 5 teachers/support employees) to conduct performance audits within 4 months, create improvement plans, and monitor implementation regarding academic achievement, attendance, graduation rates, and other metrics.

• Effective July 1, 2015, with an emergency declaration allowing immediate effect upon passage and approval.