§ 22-7-1018 — Cost study

(1) (a) On or before September 15, 2009, the
department of education, in consultation with the department of higher education,
shall contract with an independent entity to conduct a study of the costs of
implementing the provisions of this part 10. At a minimum, the study shall address
the anticipated costs to be incurred by the department of education, the
department of higher education, local education providers, and state institutions of
higher education in implementing the provisions of this part 10.

(b) In selecting an independent entity to conduct the cost study, the
department of education shall consult with the department of higher education and
shall ensure that the selected entity has expertise in school finance and higher
education finance statutes and issues in this state and nationally.

(c) At a minimum, the cost study shall address the costs associated with:

(I) Reviewing, adopting, and implementing standards and curricula to meet or
exceed the newly adopted preschool through elementary and secondary education
standards, including but not limited to implementing the English language
competency standards and providing services and supports as required in section
22-7-1016 (5);

(II) Implementing the assessment system for the preschool through
elementary and secondary education standards;

(III) Implementing the school readiness description and assessments,
including creating and implementing individualized readiness plans;

(IV) Incorporating career and technical education standards into the
curricula;

(V) Aligning the preschool, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary
education curricula with the postsecondary and workforce readiness description;

(VI) Making changes to the postsecondary admissions processes and
publications to take into account the postsecondary and workforce readiness
description and the assessments administered pursuant to section 22-7-1006.3 to
students enrolled in high school; and

(VII) Reviewing, adopting, and implementing standards in educator
preparation programs to incorporate the preschool through elementary and
secondary education standards, the school readiness description, the system of
assessments, the individualized readiness plans, and the postsecondary and
workforce readiness description.

(2) The entity selected to conduct the cost study shall submit reports to the
department of education and the department of higher education in accordance
with the following timeline:

(a) On or before March 1, 2010, a report of the costs pertaining to adoption
and implementation of the school readiness description; the preschool through
elementary and secondary education standards, including but not limited to the
English language competency standards; and the postsecondary and workforce
readiness description;

(b) On or before October 1, 2011, a report of the costs pertaining to
implementation of the school readiness assessments and the system of
assessments that is aligned with the preschool through elementary and secondary
education standards; and

(c) On or before October 1, 2014, a report of the costs pertaining to
implementation of the diploma endorsements.

(3) As soon as possible following receipt of each report specified in
subsection (2) of this section, the department of education shall submit the report
to the joint budget committee of the general assembly and to the education
committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor
committees.

Legislative History

Source: L. 2008: Entire part added, p. 765, � 1, effective May 14. L. 2010: (2)(b) and (2)(c) amended, (HB 10-1013), ch. 399, p. 1911, � 31, effective June 10. L. 2011: (1)(c)(VII) amended, (SB 11-245), ch. 201, p. 849, � 8, effective August 10. L. 2012: (2)(c) amended, (HB 12-1240), ch. 258, p. 1309, � 5, effective June 4. L. 2015: (1)(c)(V), (1)(c)(VI), (1)(c)(VII), and (2)(b) amended, (HB 15-1323), ch. 204, p. 732, � 54, effective May 20.