Vermont H. 779: An act relating to the legislative directory prepared by the Secretary of State

Bill Text

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VT LEG #386190 v.1
H.779 1
Introduced by Representatives Chapin of East Montpelier, Brady of Williston, 2
and Harple of Glover 3
Referred to Committee on 4
Date: 5
Subject: Education; flexible pathways; early college; dual enrollment 6
Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to (1) repeal the 7
early college program on July 1, 2027; (2) increase the number of publicly 8
funded dual enrollment courses a student is eligible to take from two to four; 9
and (3) create the College-Level Programming for High School Students 10
Working Group to examine opportunities for high schools and the Vermont 11
State Colleges System to partner on providing college-level programming to 12
high school students. 13
An act relating to updating the Flexible Pathways Initiative 14
It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont: 15
* * * Intent * * * 16
Sec. 1. INTENT 17
It is the intent of the General Assembly to: 18
(1) shift the ways that our public kindergarten through grade 12 schools 19
partner with the Vermont State Colleges System in an effort to reduce financial 20

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VT LEG #386190 v.1
and programmatic impact on public schools while still maintaining 1
opportunities for high school seniors; 2
(2) address the negative impacts of the early college pathway on high 3
schools, particularly those located in close proximity to participating college 4
campuses that have seen significant impacts on the school’s enrollment and 5
budget; 6
(3) ensure monies from the Education Fund shall be used to support our 7
public kindergarten through grade 12 schools; and 8
(4) increase equity in access to quality course and advanced learning for 9
high school students as the early college program is currently not as accessible 10
to lower income families or students in certain geographic areas of the State 11
due to fees charged by participating colleges and transportation costs or 12
limitations. 13
* * * Early College * * * 14
Sec. 2. 16 V.S.A. § 941 is amended to read: 15
§ 941. FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS INITIATIVE 16
* * * 17
(b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in 18
the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model 19
documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school 20
districts: 21

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* * * 1
(3) To create opportunities for secondary students to pursue flexible 2
pathways to graduation that: 3
(A) increase aspiration and encourage postsecondary continuation of 4
training and education; 5
(B) are an integral component of a student’s personalized learning 6
plan; and 7
(C) include: 8
(i) applied or work-based learning opportunities, including career 9
and career technical education and internships; 10
(ii) virtual learning and blended learning; 11
(iii) dual enrollment opportunities as set forth in section 944 of 12
this title; and 13
(iv) early college programs as set forth in subsection 4011(e) of 14
this title; and [Repealed.] 15
(v) [Repealed.] 16
(vi) adult education and secondary credential opportunities as set 17
forth in section 945 of this title. 18
* * * 19

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Sec. 3. REPEALS 1
16 V.S.A. §§ 946 (early college) and 947 (early college program; report; 2
appropriation) are repealed. 3
* * * Dual Enrollment * * * 4
Sec. 4. 16 V.S.A. § 944 is amended to read: 5
§ 944. DUAL ENROLLMENT PROGRAM 6
(a) Program creation. There is created a statewide Dual Enrollment 7
Program to be a potential component of a student’s flexible pathway. The 8
Program shall include college courses offered on the campus of an accredited 9
postsecondary institution and college courses offered by an accredited 10
postsecondary institution on the campus of a secondary school. The Program 11
may include online college courses or components. 12
(b) Students. 13
* * * 14
(2) An eligible student may enroll in up to two four dual enrollment 15
courses prior to completion of secondary school for which neither the student 16
nor the student’s parent or guardian shall be required to pay tuition. A student 17
may enroll in courses offered while secondary school is in session and during 18
the summer. 19
* * * 20

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(h) Number of courses. Nothing in this section shall be construed to limit a 1
school district’s authority to pay for more than the two four courses per eligible 2
student authorized by subdivision (b)(2) of this section; provided, however, 3
that payment under subdivision (f)(2) of this section shall not be made for 4
more than two four courses per eligible student. 5
* * * 6
* * * College-Level Programming for High School Students Working 7
Group * * * 8
Sec. 5. COLLEGE-LEVEL PROGRAMMING FOR HIGH SCHOOL 9
STUDENTS; WORKING GROUP; REPORT 10
(a) Creation. There is created the Colle