This bill mandates the Iowa Department of Education to create and oversee a pilot program that requires one rural school district and one urban school district to establish attendance centers specifically for students requiring special education and those with behavioral issues. The Department will select the participating districts and, in collaboration with them, will determine the curricula and instructional facilities to be used. Each district must submit an annual report detailing student participation, academic performance, feedback from students, parents, and teachers, as well as challenges and recommendations for improvement. The Department will compile these reports and present them to the General Assembly each year.

Additionally, the bill modifies the allocation of special education funds. Instead of the current requirement that 90% of funds received by a school district be used for special education support services contracted from an area education agency, the bill stipulates that at least 48% of those funds must be allocated to the pilot program. The bill also defines "eligible students" and specifies the criteria for rural and urban school districts. The pilot program is set to be repealed on July 1, 2031.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 257.10