The proposed bill, HB2645, mandates that each school district and charter school governing body develop and adopt specific policies regarding the transfer of academic credits and educational records for foster children in grades 9 through 12. These policies must ensure that all academic credits, including partial credits, earned by the foster child at their previous school are accepted, and that the school district or charter school makes every effort to classify these credits as core credits. Additionally, the bill requires schools to meet with the foster child within ten days of receiving their educational records to review and update their graduation plan.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that the school of origin must include all academic credits and documentation of competencies achieved in the educational records transferred to the new school. It also allows schools to administer local competency assessments to award credits based on the competencies identified in the foster child's records. Importantly, the bill prohibits schools from imposing additional graduation requirements on foster children in grades 11 or 12 beyond the minimum standards set by the State Board of Education. Overall, the bill aims to streamline the educational transition for foster children and ensure they receive appropriate credit for their prior academic work.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 15-701.04
House Engrossed Version: 15-701.04
Senate Engrossed Version: 15-701.04
Chaptered Version: 15-701.04