INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE GRANT PROGRAM

House Bill 4835

Sponsor:  Rep. John Stakoe

Committee:  Higher Education and Career Preparation

Complete to 6-13-05

A SUMMARY OF HOUSE BILL 4835 AS INTRODUCED 5-26-05

House Bill 4835 would amend the State School Aid Act to provide for an international baccalaureate grant program funded in an amount not to exceed $1.5 million for Fiscal Year 2005-2006.

Under the bill, an allocation of up to $1.5 million would be appropriated from Section 11 of the State School Aid Fund.  From that fund, the Department of Education would make grants to applicant school districts, intermediate districts, or consortia consisting of districts, or both.  The grants would offset the costs of establishing an international baccalaureate diploma program, or an international baccalaureate middle-years program.

The bill specifies that all of the following would apply to the grants:

·                    districts would apply for grants in the form and manner determined by the department;

·                    each grant would be in the amount of $150,000, and a recipient could receive a grant for up to four years;

·                    grants would be used only for start-up costs, as prescribed by the department;

·                    grants would be awarded by the department in consultation with a five-person advisory committee comprising representatives of the department, an existing international baccalaureate diploma program, an international baccalaureate organization, and also a district superintendent, as well as a person designated by the governor;

 

·                    programs funded would be required to serve either of the following: a) at least 75 students enrolled in each grade level in which the program was offered, or b) at least 200 total students enrolled in the program;

           

·                    if the number of grant applicants exceeded the number that could be fully funded (that is to say, 10 programs), the department would award the grants based on the following priorities:  1) the number of students to be enrolled (for middle years in grades 6 to 8, or for a diploma program in grades 9 to 12); 2) programs operated by a consortium, and requiring full diploma participation; and 3) a balance of grants between diploma programs and middle years programs. 

Under the bill, "international baccalaureate diploma program" or "diploma program" is defined to mean a program that offers the curriculum and examinations leading to an international baccalaureate diploma awarded by the international baccalaureate organization, and that either has been authorized by the international baccalaureate organization or has initiated the application process for achieving that authorization.  The term "international baccalaureate middle years program" or "middle years program" is defined to mean a middle school program that offers the middle school curriculum and examinations of the international baccalaureate organization and that either has been authorized by the international baccalaureate organization or has initiated the application process for achieving that authorization.

FISCAL IMPACT:

The bill would appropriate $1.5 million in school aid funds in FY 2005-06 for the IB program. 

                                                                                           Legislative Analyst:   J. Hunault

                                                                                                  Fiscal Analyst:   Mary Ann Cleary

■ This analysis was prepared by nonpartisan House staff for use by House members in their deliberations, and does not constitute an official statement of legislative intent.