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Minutes for HB2602 - Committee on K-12 Education Budget
Short Title
Providing an alternative calculation of graduation rates for virtual schools based on students' earned credits at the time of enrollment in the virtual school.
Minutes Content for Mon, Feb 14, 2022
Chairperson Williams opened the hearing on HB 2602.
Nick Myers, Kansas Office of Revisor of Statutes, reviewed HB 2602 bill brief with the Committee. (Attachment 1)
Representative Adam Thomas provided testimony in support of HB 2602. He noted that this bill would make it possible to create a new calculation of graduation rates that exclude those students who come from districts all over the state who are credit deficient from negatively impacting the district rate and virtual school rates. (Attachment 2)
Cassandra Barton from the Insight School of Kansas provided testimony in support of HB 2602. She stated that this bill would allow virtual schools, for accreditation purposes only, to be measured only for the students who enroll with them with a realistic chance of graduating within four years. This does not punish them for enrolling students who are credit deficient and do not have a realistic chance at finishing high school with their four-year cohort. Ms. Barton noted that this bill provides a more realistic portrayal of how virtual schools are performing with their students. (Attachment 3)
Representative Thomas and Ms. Barton responded to questions from the Committee.
Craig Neuenswander, Deputy Commissioner from the Kansas State Department of Education, who attended the meeting, responded to questions from the Committee.
Written testimony in opposition of HB 2602 was received by:
Deena Horst and Ben Jones, Legislative Liaisons, Kansas State Board of Education (Attachment 4)
There being no further conferees, Chairperson Williams closed the hearing on HB 2602.
