JOINT EDUCATION INTERIM COMMITTEE

Standard Budget:             $46,500.00

Note: Senate File 32 and House Bill 19 as passed during the 2016 Legislative Session continue the operation of the Select Committee on Statewide Education Accountability.  Priorities # 1 and # 2 have been eliminated from the topics of the Joint Education Committee and were transferred to the Select Committee, recognizing the law requires the final reports and any enabling legislation be considered by the Select Committee and the Joint Education Committee.

Priority #: 3         School Finance.

The Committee will undertake study of the several items related to school finance, including review of revenue and expenditures necessary for the operation and construction of public schools and mechanisms available to generate cost savings targeted for public education. Study will include review of the model monitoring reports related to the ECA, required by W.S. 21-13-309(o) and (u) and 2016 SF0001, Section 2, Section 205, Footnote 2. The reimbursement of school districts for transportation costs as required by 2016 SF0001, Section 2, Section 205, Footnote 3 will also be studied.

Priority #: 4         Hathaway Scholarship Program.

The Committee will review the scholarship program after 10 years of operation to identify any necessary improvements or modifications, including any recommendations for revision of the success curriculum.  The committee will investigate actuary methodologies to assess the soundness of the trust fund and its long-term capacity to support scholarship levels.

Priority #: 5         Alignment of public education efforts.

The Committee will undertake study of the alignment of the areas of knowledge and skills required under W.S. 21-9-101(b) and the correlation to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities, computer science courses, farm to school programs and financial literacy. Study will include review of possible revisions necessary to ensure high school graduates are college or career ready. The Committee will also review the governance structure of the State Board of Education and the necessity of a coordinator as required by 2016 SF0001, Section 2, Section 206, Footnote 4.

Priority #: 6         Distance Education.

The Committee will study the recommendations of the 2015 Distance Education Task Force convened over the 2015 interim for the purposes of informing recalibration. Study will include programmatic and funding modifications as recommended by the Task Force.

Priority #: 7         Medically Necessary Placements.

The Committee will review and study the education provisions necessary for children placed in group homes and residential treatment facilities for medical necessities. This is an extension of 2016 SF0094, which allows for the payment of educational expenses for students placed in residential psychiatric treatment facilities for medical necessities.

Meeting Schedule
3-2 day meetings