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1 S.170
2 Introduced by Senator Campion
3 Referred to Committee on
4 Date:
5 Subject: Education; courses of study; study abroad
6 Statement of purpose of bill as introduced: This bill proposes to create the
7 statewide Study Abroad Program that would enable students in grades nine
8 through 12 to pursue an educational program in a foreign country for one
9 semester as part of a student’s flexible pathway. The bill proposes to require
10 the Secretary of Education to adopt rules to establish program details.
11 An act relating to the creation of the statewide Study Abroad Program
12 It is hereby enacted by the General Assembly of the State of Vermont:
13 Sec. 1. 16 V.S.A. § 948 is added to read:
14 § 948. STUDY ABROAD
15 (a) Program creation. There is created the statewide Study Abroad
16 Program to be a potential component of a student’s flexible pathway. The
17 Program shall enable students in grades nine through 12 to pursue an
18 educational program in a foreign country for one semester.
19 (b) Tuition. The school district shall pay an amount not to exceed the
20 average announced tuition of Vermont union high schools for a student’s VT LEG #372664 v.2
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1 participation in the Study Abroad Program, pursuant to rules adopted by the
2 Agency of Education under subsection (c) of this section.
3 (c) Program management. The Secretary shall adopt rules pursuant to
4 3 V.S.A. chapter 25 defining the following program requirements and details:
5 (1) student eligibility;
6 (2) Study Abroad Program eligibility;
7 (3) school district responsibility;
8 (4) program cost maximums; and
9 (5) program evaluation mechanism to ensure overall quality and
10 accountability.
11 Sec. 2. 16 V.S.A. § 941 is amended to read:
12 § 941. FLEXIBLE PATHWAYS INITIATIVE
13 ***
14 (b) The Secretary shall develop, publish, and regularly update guidance, in
15 the form of technical assistance, sharing of best practices and model
16 documents, legal interpretations, and other support designed to assist school
17 districts:
18 (1) to identify and support secondary students who require additional
19 assistance to succeed in school and to identify ways in which individual
20 students would benefit from flexible pathways to graduation;
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1 (2) to work with every student in grade 7 seven through grade 12 in an
2 ongoing personalized learning planning process that:
3 (A) identifies the student’s emerging abilities, aptitude, and
4 disposition;
5 (B) includes participation by families and other engaged adults;
6 (C) guides decisions regarding course offerings and other high-
7 quality educational experiences; and
8 (D) is documented by a personalized learning plan;
9 (3) to create opportunities for secondary students to pursue flexible
10 pathways to graduation that:
11 (A) increase aspiration and encourage postsecondary continuation of
12 training and education;
13 (B) are an integral component of a student’s personalized learning
14 plan; and
15 (C) include:
16 (i) applied or work-based learning opportunities, including career
17 and career technical education and internships;
18 (ii) virtual learning and blended learning;
19 (iii) dual enrollment opportunities as set forth in section 944 of
20 this title;
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1 (iv) early college programs as set forth in subsection 4011(e) of
2 this title;
3 (v) the High School Completion Program as set forth in section
4 943 of this title; and
5 (vi) the Adult Diploma Program and General Educational
6 Development Program as set forth in section 945 of this title; and
7 (vii) the Study Abroad Program as set forth in section 948 of this
8 title; and
9 ***
10 Sec. 3. EFFECTIVE DATE
11 This act shall take effect on July 1, 2024.
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Statutes affected: As Introduced: 16-941