PRINTER'S NO. 1608
No. 1299 Session of 2003
INTRODUCED BY BIANCUCCI, MAY 5, 2003
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON EDUCATION, MAY 5, 2003
AN ACT
1 Amending the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), entitled "An
2 act relating to the public school system, including certain
3 provisions applicable as well to private and parochial
4 schools; amending, revising, consolidating and changing the
5 laws relating thereto," providing for an educational
6 assistance program.
7 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
8 hereby enacts as follows:
9 Section 1. The act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known
10 as the Public School Code of 1949, is amended by adding an
11 article to read:
12 ARTICLE XV-E
13 EDUCATIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS
14 Section 1501-E. Science and Applied-Knowledge Program.
15 (a) Establishment.--The Department of Education shall
16 establish a Science and Applied-Knowledge Program. This program
17 shall provide funds to school districts to build strong science
18 and applied-knowledge skills in Pennsylvania students. The
19 program shall be open to all school districts of the
1 Commonwealth.
2 (b) Criteria.--The department shall consider the following
3 factors, which may include, but need not be limited to:
4 (1) the educational needs of the schools within the
5 school district;
6 (2) number of students scoring below basic level of
7 performance on the Pennsylvania System of School Assessment
8 tests under 22 Pa. Code Ch. 4 (relating to academic standards
9 and assessment) in math for the most recent school year for
10 which scores are available; and
11 (3) any other criteria as determined by the department.
12 (c) Application form.--The application form and information
13 relating to applying for funds, along with the criteria to be
14 used to review applications shall be published in the
15 Pennsylvania Bulletin and may be placed on the department's
16 World Wide Web page.
17 (d) Uses.--Funds shall be used to fund science or applied-
18 knowledge labs to purchase technology, instructional or other
19 materials to improve educational achievement.
20 Section 2. This act shall take effect July 1, 2003, or
21 immediately, whichever is later.
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