Bill No.: HB0097                  Drafter:  DKG

LSO No.:  07LSO-0129              Effective Date: 3/15/2007

Enrolled Act No.:  HEA0125

Chapter No.:       CH0187

Prime Sponsor:     Joint Education Interim Committee

Catch Title:       Hathaway scholarship eligibility.

Subject:  The required success curriculum for Hathaway scholarship eligibility.

Summary/Major Elements:

· The bill establishes the "success curriculum" required for Hathaway scholarship eligibility, as contemplated by 2006 legislation creating the scholarship program.

· The required curriculum varies by scholarship category, applicable to students graduating from high school in school year 2010-2011:

1. For the honor and performance scholarships, the required curriculum consists of four years of math, science and language arts, three years of social studies and two years of foreign language, with specified courses tied to each subject area.  Further, the curriculum for the honor and performance scholarships is phased in up to school year 2010-2011.

2. For the opportunity scholarship, the required curriculum consists of four years of math, language arts and science, three years of social studies and demonstration of proficiency in state standards for foreign cultures and languages.  Further, the science course requirements are tied to high school graduation requirements and are not course specific.

3. For the career scholarship, the required curriculum consists of the high school graduation requirements specified by law (four years of English, three years math, science and social studies), with two of the three required years of math course specific and an additional requirement for demonstration of proficiency in state standards for foreign cultures and languages.

· The department of education is directed to establish exceptions due to good cause to specific coursework within the success curriculum and to provide accommodations for students with disabilities.

· School districts are required to submit course listings to the department to ensure courses satisfy the required success curriculum.

· School districts are also required to provide counseling services to students in grades eight through twelve regarding success curriculum requirements and the impact of course choices upon scholarship eligibility.