Authority: Discretionary Inclusion.

Appropriation Detail of Educational, Cultural, Community, and Artistic Affairs (14300)

A. Out of this appropriation, the Department of Education shall provide $573,776 the first year and $573,776 the second year from the general fund for the Jobs for Virginia Graduates initiative.

B. Out of this appropriation, the Department of Education shall provide $124,011 the first year and $124,011 the second year from the general fund for the Southwest Virginia Public Education Consortium at the University of Virginia's College at Wise. An additional $71,849 the first year and $71,849 the second year from the general fund is provided to the Consortium to continue the Van Gogh Outreach program with Lee and Wise County Public Schools and expand the program to the twelve school divisions in Southwest Virginia.

C. This appropriation includes $108,905 the first year and $108,905 the second year from the general fund for the Southside Virginia Regional Technology Consortium to expand the research and development phase of a technology linkage.

D. An additional state payment of $145,896 the first year and $145,896 the second year from the general fund is provided as a Small School Division Assistance grant for the City of Norton. To receive these funds, the local school board shall certify to the Superintendent of Public Instruction that its division has entered into one or more educational, administrative or support service cost-sharing arrangements with another local school division.

E. Out of this appropriation, $298,021 the first year and $298,021 the second year from the general fund shall be allocated for the Career and Technical Education Resource Center to provide vocational curriculum and resource instructional materials free of charge to all school divisions.

F. It is the intent of the General Assembly that the Department of Education provide bonuses from state funds to classroom teachers in Virginia's public schools who hold certification from the National Board of Professional Teaching Standards. Such bonuses shall be $5,000 the first year of the certificate and $2,500 annually thereafter for the life of the certificate. This appropriation includes an amount estimated at $5,210,038 the first year and $5,356,623 the second year from the general fund for the purpose of paying these bonuses. By October 15 of each year, school divisions shall notify the Department of Education of the number of classroom teachers under contract for that school year that hold such certification.

G. This appropriation includes $1,931,000 the first year and $1,931,000 the second year from the general fund for grants, scholarships, and incentive payments to attract, recruit, and retain high-quality teachers and fill critical teacher shortage disciplines in Virginia's public schools.

1. Out of this appropriation, $708,000 the first year and $708,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for teaching scholarship loans. These scholarships shall be for undergraduate students in college with a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.7, who are nominated by their college, and who meet the criteria and qualifications, pursuant to § 22.1-290.01, Code of Virginia, except as provided herein. Awards shall be made to students who are enrolled full-time or part-time in approved undergraduate or graduate teacher education programs for the top five critical teacher shortage disciplines, however minority students may be enrolled in any content area for teacher preparation. Scholarship recipients may fulfill the teaching obligation by accepting a teaching position, and teaching for at least two years in a school division where 50 percent or more of the students are eligible for free and reduced price lunch. Scholarship recipients who only complete one year of the teaching obligation shall be forgiven for one-half of the scholarship loan amount. Scholarship amounts are based on up to $20,000 per year for full-time students, and shall be prorated for part-time students based on the number of credit hours. The Department of Education shall report annually on the critical shortage teaching areas in Virginia.

a. The Department of Education shall make payments on behalf of the scholarship recipients directly to the Virginia institution of higher education where the scholarship recipient is enrolled full-time or part-time in an approved undergraduate or graduate teacher education program.

b. The Department of Education is authorized to recover total funds awarded as scholarships, or the appropriate portion thereof, in the event that scholarship recipients fail to honor the stipulated teaching obligation.

c. Within the fiscal year, any funds not awarded from this program may be applied toward the other teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention programs under paragraph G.

2. Out of this appropriation, $808,000 the first year and $808,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to attract, recruit, and retain high-quality diverse individuals to teach science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) subjects in Virginia's middle and high schools experiencing difficulty in recruiting qualified teachers. A teacher employed full-time in a Virginia school division who has been issued a five-year Virginia teaching license with an endorsement in Middle Education 6-8: Mathematic, Mathematics-Algebra-I, mathematics, Middle Education 6-8: Science, Biology, Chemistry, Earth and Space Science, physics, or technology education and assigned to a teaching position in a corresponding STEM subject area in a hard-to-staff school is eligible to receive a $5,000 incentive award after the completion of the first, second, and third year of teaching at a hard-to-staff school with a satisfactory performance evaluation and a signed contract in the same school division for the following school year. The maximum incentive award for each eligible teacher is $15,000. Eligibility for access to these incentives shall be determined through an application process whereby school divisions shall apply to the Department of Education. Priority for distribution of these incentives shall be to school divisions experiencing the most acute difficulties in recruiting qualified teachers, as determined using Department of Education criteria. School divisions that have been approved shall advertise the incentive for eligible vacancies and award such funds in accordance with this paragraph. For the purpose of the award of the additional $1,000 to individuals who received funds under this program prior to July 1, 2018, the criteria provided in Chapter 836 of the 2017 Acts of Assembly shall continue to apply. Within the fiscal year, any funds not awarded from this program may be applied toward the other teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention programs under paragraph G.

3. Out of this appropriation, $415,000 the first year and $415,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to help school divisions recruit and retain qualified middle-school mathematics teachers. Within the fiscal year, any funds not awarded from this program may be applied toward the other teacher preparation, recruitment, and retention programs under paragraph G.

H. Out of this appropriation, $400,000 the first year and $400,000 the second year from the general fund shall be distributed to the Great Aspirations Scholarship Program (GRASP) to provide students and families in need access to financial aid, scholarships, and counseling to maximize educational opportunities for students.

I. Out of this appropriation, the Department of Education shall provide $1,244,400 the first year and $1,244,400 the second year from the general fund to Communities in Schools. These funds will be used to continue existing Communities in Schools programming in Petersburg and Richmond City, expand programming to all Petersburg schools, and expand the Pathways to Parents as Partners program to two additional Richmond City elementary schools.

J. This appropriation includes $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund for the Superintendent of Public Education to award supplemental grants to charter schools.

K. 1. Out of this appropriation, the Department of Education shall provide $762,500 the first year and $762,500 the second year from the general fund for Project Discovery. These funds are towards the cost of the program in Abingdon, Accomack/Northampton, Alexandria, Amherst, Appomattox, Arlington, Bedford, Bland, Campbell, Charlottesville, Cumberland, Danville/Pittsylvania, Fairfax, Franklin/Patrick, Goochland/Powhatan, Lynchburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Richmond City, Roanoke City, Smyth, Surry/Sussex, Tazewell, Williamsburg/James City, and Wythe and the salary of a fiscal officer for Project Discovery. The Department of Education shall administer the Project Discovery funding distributions to each community action agency. Distributions to each community action agency shall be based on performance measures established by the Board of Directors of Project Discovery. The contract with Project Discovery should specify the allocations to each local program and require the submission of a financial and budget report and program evaluation performance measures.

2. Each participating community action agency shall submit annual performance metrics for services provided through the Project Discovery program that provide measurable evaluations and outcomes of participating students. Such performance metrics shall include evidenced-based data that effectively measure academic improvement outcomes. In addition, the performance metrics shall also include evidenced-based data to evaluate the specific effectiveness of the program for participating students on a longitudinal basis. Further, the performance metrics shall include the coordination and collaboration efforts the program staff regularly have with the school-based personnel, such as teachers and guidance counselors, that support and maximize opportunities of participating students to successfully graduate from high school and then to enroll and graduate from an institution of higher learning. Project Discovery shall submit a comprehensive and cumulative program performance metrics evaluation to the Department of Education and the Chairmen of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees no later than October 1, 2016.

L. Out of this appropriation, the Department of Education shall provide $300,000 the first year and $300,000 the second year from the general fund for the Virginia Student Training and Refurbishment Program.

M. Out of this appropriation, $1,598,000 the first year and $1,598,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to expand the number of schools implementing a system of positive behavioral interventions and supports with the goal of improving school climate and reducing disruptive behavior in the classroom. Such a system may be implemented as part of a tiered system of supports that utilizes evidence-based, system-wide practices to provide a response to academic and behavioral needs. Any school division which desires to apply for this competitive grant must submit a proposal to the Department of Education by June 1 preceding the school-year in which the program is to be implemented. The proposal must define student outcome objectives including, but not limited to, reductions in disciplinary referrals and out-of-school suspension rates. In making the competitive grant awards, the Department of Education shall give priority to school divisions proposing to serve schools identified by the Department as having high suspension rates. No funds awarded to a school division under this grant may be used to supplant funding for schools already implementing the program.

N. Targeted Extended/Enriched School Year and Year-round School Grants Payments

1. Out of this appropriation, $7,150,000 the first year and $7,150,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for a targeted extended/enriched school year or year-round school incentive in order to improve student achievement. Annual start-up grants of up to $300,000 per school may be awarded for a period of up to two years after the initial implementation year. The per school amount may be up to $400,000 in the case of schools that have a Denied Accreditation status or had a Denied Accreditation status when the initial application was made. After the third consecutive year of successful participation, an eligible school's grant amount shall be based on a shared split of the grant between the state and participating school division's local composite index. Such continuing schools shall remain eligible to receive a grant based on the 2012 JLARC Review of Year Round Schools' researched base findings.

2. Except for school divisions with schools that are in Denied Accreditation status, any other school division applying for such a grant shall be required to provide a twenty percent local match to the grant amount received from either an extended/enriched school year or year-round school start-up or planning grant.

3. In the case of any school division with schools that are in Denied Accreditation status that apply for funds, the school division shall also consult with the Superintendent of Public Instruction or designee on all recommendations regarding instructional programs or instructional personnel prior to submission to the local board for approval.

4. Out of this appropriation, $613,312 the first year and $613,312 the second year from the general fund is provided for planning grants of no more than $50,000 each for local school divisions pursuing the creation of new extended/enriched school year or year-round school programs for divisions or individual schools in support of the findings from the 2012 JLARC Review of Year Round Schools. School divisions must submit applications to the Department of Education by August 1 of each year. Priority shall be given to schools based on need, relative to the state accreditation ratings or similar federal designations. Applications shall include evidence of commitment to pursue implementation in the upcoming school year. If balances exist, existing extended school year programs may be eligible to apply for remaining funds.

5. A school division that has been awarded an extended/enriched school year or year-round school start-up grant or planning grant for the development of an extended/enriched school year or year-round school program may spend the awarded grant over two consecutive fiscal years.

6. a) Any such school division receiving funding from a Targeted Extended/Enriched School Year and Year-round School grant shall provide an annual progress report to the Department of Education that evaluates end of year success of the extended/enriched school year or year-round school model implemented as compared to the prior school year performance as measured by an appropriate evaluation matrix no later than September 1 each year.

b) The Department of Education shall develop such evaluation matrix that would be appropriate for a comprehensive evaluation for such models implemented. Further, the Department of Education is directed to submit the annual progress reports from the participating school divisions and an executive summary of the program's overall status and levels of measured success to the Chairmen of House Appropriations and Senate Finance Committees no later than November 1 each year.

7. Any funds remaining in this paragraph following grant awards may be disbursed by the Department of Education as grants to school divisions to support innovative approaches to instructional delivery or school governance models.

O. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided through grants or contracts for the cost of fees and financial incentives associated with hiring teachers in challenged schools. These funds may be used for grants or contracts awarded and expenses associated with supporting the Teach for America program. School divisions or their partners may apply for those funds through applications submitted to the Department of Education. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Education by September 1 each year. Within the fiscal year, any unobligated balance may be used for the Teacher Residency program.

P. Out of this appropriation, $600,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Accomack, Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Loudoun, Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond City, and Wythe Public Schools to support expansion of a STEM model program for kindergarten and preschool students. Each developed model will focus on enhancing children's learning experiences through the arts.

Q. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for the Achievable Dream partnership with Newport News School Division. This funding is in lieu of a like amount from the Neighborhood Assistance Program Tax Credits for An Achievable Dream Middle and High School, Inc.

R. Out of this appropriation, $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for grants for teacher residency partnerships between university teacher preparation programs and the Petersburg, Norfolk, and Richmond City school divisions to help improve new teacher training and retention for hard-to-staff schools. The grants will support a site-specific residency model program for preparation, planning, development and implementation, including possible stipends in the program to attract qualified candidates and mentors. Applications must be submitted to the Department of Education by August 1 each year.

S. Out of this appropriation, $60,300 the first year and $60,300 the second year from the general fund is provided to the Northern Neck Regional Technical Center to expand the workforce readiness education and industry based skills and certification development efforts supporting that region in the state. These funds support the Center's programs that serve high school students from the surrounding counties of Essex, Lancaster, Northumberland, Rappahannock, Westmoreland and Colonial Beach.

T. Out of this appropriation, $2,750,000 the first year and $2,750,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation.

1. Of this amount, $250,000 the first year and $250,000 the second year is provided for general operations of the Foundation's grant program to strengthen the capacity of local communities to promote school readiness for young children through innovative regional partnerships.

2. Of this amount, $1,000,000 the first year and $1,000,000 the second year is provided to operate a scholarship program to increase the skills of Virginia's early education workforce.

3. Of this amount, $1,500,000 the first year and $1,500,000 the second year is provided to pilot an initiative to promote public-private delivery of pre-kindergarten services to high-risk children and communities.

4. Notwithstanding any provisions of § 22.1-199.6 or § 22.1-299, and in order to achieve the priorities of the Joint Subcommittee on Virginia Preschool Initiative for exploring the feasibility of and barriers to mixed delivery preschool systems in Virginia, recipients of a Mixed-Delivery Preschool grant shall be provided maximum flexibility within their respective pilot initiative in order to fully implement the associated goals and objectives of the pilot. Recipients of a Mixed-Delivery Preschool grant and divisions participating in such grant pilot activities shall be exempted from all regulatory and statutory provisions related to teacher licensure requirements and qualifications when paid by public funds within the confines of the Mixed-Delivery Preschool pilot initiative.

In the case of new pilot grants awarded beginning in the second year, in addition to the provisions of § 22.1-199.6 E., grants shall be awarded to recipients that offer high quality preschool experience to participating enrolled at-risk four-year-old children.

U. This appropriation includes $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund to support ten competitive grants, not to exceed $50,000 each, for planning the implementation of systemic High School Program Innovation by either individual school divisions or consortia of school divisions or implementing a plan for High School Program Innovation previously approved by the Department of Education. The local applicant(s) selected to conduct this systemic approach to high school reform, in consultation with the Department of Education, will develop and plan or implement innovative approaches to engage and to motivate students through personalized learning and instruction leading to demonstrated mastery of content, as well as skills development of career readiness. Essential elements of high school innovation include: (1) student centered learning, with progress based on student demonstrated proficiency; (2) 'real-world' connections that promote alignment with community work-force needs and emphasize transition to college and/or career; and (3) varying models for educator supports and staffing. Individual school divisions or consortia will be invited to apply on a competitive basis by submitting a grant application that includes descriptions of key elements of innovations, a detailed budget, expectations for outcomes and student achievement benefits, evaluation methods, and plans for sustainability. The Department of Education will make the final determination of which individual school divisions or consortia of divisions will receive the year-long planning grant for High School Innovation or a grant to implement a High School Program Innovation plan previously approved by the Department of Education. Any school division or consortium of divisions which desires to apply for this competitive grant must submit a proposal to the Department of Education by June 1 preceding the school year in which the planning or implementation for systemic high school innovation is to take place.

V. Out of this appropriation, $100,000 the first year and $100,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to support the Newport News Aviation Academy's four-year high school STEM program, which focuses on piloting, aircraft maintenance, engineering, computers, and electronics.

W. Out of this appropriation, $15,000 the first year and $15,000 the second year is provided for grants to school divisions of up to $5,000 each to explore alternative teacher compensation approaches that move away from tenure-based step increases toward compensation systems based on teacher performance and student progress. Priority will be given to school divisions that have not previously explored alternative compensation approaches and have schools not achieving full accreditation, or that have high numbers of at-risk students needing qualified teachers in hard-to-staff subjects.

X. Out of this appropriation, $200,000 the first year and $200,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for STEM Competition Team Grants. Notwithstanding § 22.1-362, Code of Virginia, Paragraph B, grants may not exceed $5,000 each.

Y. Out of this appropriation, $681,975 the first year and $681,975 the second year from the general fund is provided to support a multi-platform STEM education engagement program and research study, via the Virginia Air & Space Center.

Z. Out of this appropriation, $350,000 the first year and $350,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for executive leadership incentives in the Petersburg City Public Schools to strengthen the impact of division and school level executive leadership on student achievement in the school division. Such incentives may include, but not be limited to, supplements to locally funded salaries, deferred salary compensation, bonuses, housing and commuting supplements, and professional development supplements. The Department of Education shall provide such executive management incentive payments directly to the Petersburg City Public Schools accounts pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding entered into between the Board of Education and the Petersburg City School Board. Such Agreement shall be approved by both parties by July 1, 2016, shall cover no less than both years of the biennium, and may be amended with the consent of both parties. Such Agreement shall include operational and student achievement metrics and include provisions for the achievement of such metrics as a condition of payment of the incentive funds by the Department of Education. The Department of Education shall provide updates on implementation of the Agreement to the Chairmen of the Senate Finance and House Appropriations Committees.

AA. Out of this amount, $300,000 the first year and $600,000 the second year from the general fund shall be reserved for school divisions to partner with the Virginia Reading Corps program. The Virginia Reading Corps shall report annually to the school divisions and Department of Education on the outcomes of this program.

BB. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for Chesterfield County Public Schools to partner and plan with Virginia State University for the continued development of a College Partnership Laboratory School in support of Ettrick Elementary School.

CC. Out of this appropriation, $175,000 the first year and $175,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to establish a Career and Technical Education Vocational Laboratory pilot that will be located within the Virginia Aviation Academy located in the Newport News school division. This vocational-based lab will be developed and focused on advanced, augmented and virtual reality related education.

DD. Out of this appropriation, $480,000 the first year and $480,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to support two-week programs aimed at exposing high school students to careers in cyber security and providing foundational cybersecurity skills. Programs shall focus on the fundamentals of cybersecurity, exploration of cyber careers, and information on the credentials and educational attainment necessary to pursue a career in cybersecurity.

EE. Out of this appropriation, $500,000 the first year and $500,000 the second year from the general fund is provided to establish a principal recruitment and retention fund for school divisions that have a memorandum of understanding with the Virginia Board of Education. To be eligible for funding, school divisions shall submit a proposal to support professional development, retention, and recruitment of high-quality principals to the Department of Education. The Department of Education shall establish criteria for awarding funds.

FF. Out of this appropriation, $50,000 the first year and $50,000 the second year from the general fund is provided for praxis assistance for provisionally licensed minority teachers seeking full licensure in Virginia. Grants of up to $10,000 shall be awarded to school divisions, teacher preparation programs, or nonprofit organizations in the Northern Virginia, Central Virginia, and Hampton Roads regions to subsidize test fees and the cost of tutoring for provisionally licensed minority teachers seeking full licensure in Virginia.