SB 106-02: Extended Educational Learning Opportunities Act (AT LAST - Final Vote)

[Continential]

In the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia ASSEMBLED

An Act

To increase the prevalence of educational opportunities across Atlasia.

Extended Educational Learning Opportunities Act

Section 1. Purpose and Background
1. To provide for the enrollment of students in extended learning opportunities; to provide a means for allowing students to request and receive credit for participation in extended learning opportunities; to provide a process for awarding certificates of completion.

(a) Students attending schools in each of the regions would benefit from experiencing extended learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom.

(b) Students are capable of learning both inside and outside of the traditional classroom.

(c) Students should earn credit for approved extended learning opportunities that facilitate their mastery of required skills or fulfilling state standards.
Section 2. Definitions

For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. An out-of-classroom learning experience, approved by the State Board of Education, a local board of education, or a public charter school, that provides a student with any of the following:

a. Enrichment opportunities.

b. Career readiness or employ-ability skills opportunities, including internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships.

c. Any other approved educational opportunity.

(2) A student shall include those attending elementary and secondary school in K-12 non-charter public schools and public charter schools.

Commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, the local board of education and public charter school shall routinely inform students and their parents of the ability to earn credit for participating in extended learning opportunities. Employees of the local boards of education, and public charter schools may assist students, and their parents, in completing any enrollment processes required for participating in approved extended learning opportunities. Permission is not required from the local board of education or public charter school in which the student is enrolled and attending, for a parent to enroll his or her student in any approved extended learning opportunity.
Section 3. Process

1. An extended learning opportunity shall count as elective credit toward graduation requirements and the achievement of applicable state standards for students, upon approval of the extended learning opportunity by the State Board of Education, a local board of education or public charter school. To receive credit, a student shall submit a written request for credit and proof of successful completion of the approved extended learning opportunity, to the designated administrator of the school he or she is attending. The State Board of Education shall adopt, and each local board of education and public charter school distribute and implement, an extended learning opportunities policy that provides all of the following:

a. An application process for accepting and approving extended learning opportunities offered for credit by outside entities.

b. A list of entities that are eligible to submit applications for offering extended learning opportunities. Eligible entities shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

i. Nonprofit organizations.

ii. Businesses with established locations in the state.

iii. Trade associations.

iv. Any of the Armed Forces of the United States, subject to applicable age requirements.
Section 4. Criteria for credit

1. A process for students to follow for requesting credit.

a. Criteria the local board of education or public charter school shall use to determine whether a proposed extended learning opportunity shall be approved to count toward credit.

b. Criteria the local board of education or public charter school shall use to award a student a certificate of completion and credit for completing an approved extended learning opportunity. The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, allowing a student to demonstrate competencies through performance-based assessments and other methods independent of instructional time and credit hours.

c. An entity approved by local school districts to offer an extended learning opportunity shall be automatically qualified to offer that extended learning opportunity for all local boards of education and public charter schools in the state.

d. A student who successfully completes an approved extended learning opportunity, and satisfies criteria established for the award of a certificate of completion and credit shall be considered to have completed all of the required coursework for the particular course. If an approved extended learning opportunity satisfies all required coursework for a high school course, the student shall also be considered to have satisfied the equivalent number of credits toward his or her graduation requirements.
Section 5. Funding

a. A grant shall be defined as "any sum of money used to fund an educational activity such as an after school activity."

b. Grants shall only be distributed to regional nonprofits, recreational, and community centers in all regions. These nonprofits, recreational, and community centers must be entities that sponsor school sponsored activities. Grants cannot be made for any other purpose.

c. The total amount of grants for these programs shall not exceed $30,000,000.

Sponsor: Spark498

The gentleman from Florida is recognized.

[Southern Senator North Carolina Yankee]

Just speaking in terms of the depth and structure of the legislation, this is a great improvement. I am pleased to see the Senator has taken the advice of a great many of us in this regards.

[Senator-elect Spark]

I believe it is in the best interest of our citizens to establish these after school programs, especially in the wake of the pandemic that has disrupted so much social and emotional learning time. This bill establishes just that. We should appropriate $30 million to nonprofits, community centers, and schools to promote these crucial school sponsored activities.

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

is 30 million enough for the whole country?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I will give credit where it's due to Senator Spark for taking our feedback to heart. I'll take a closer read at this bill, but I have to say I'm pleased with the level of detail and I also fully support any effort to promote civic engagement and responsibility.

Would the sponsor support amending this bill to expand the Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps and allow them to award young volunteers in the form of college/university scholarships? We're already taking a two-pronged approach to cutting student debt this session. I think we can make it a three-pronged one.

[Senator-elect Spark]

is 30 million enough for the whole country?

Now that I think of it we should increase this amount. I am open to an amendment.

[Senator-elect Spark]

I will give credit where it's due to Senator Spark for taking our feedback to heart. I'll take a closer read at this bill, but I have to say I'm pleased with the level of detail and I also fully support any effort to promote civic engagement and responsibility.

Would the sponsor support amending this bill to expand the Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps and allow them to award young volunteers in the form of college/university scholarships? We're already taking a two-pronged approach to cutting student debt this session. I think we can make it a three-pronged one.

What will AtlasiaCorps's responsibility be?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I will give credit where it's due to Senator Spark for taking our feedback to heart. I'll take a closer read at this bill, but I have to say I'm pleased with the level of detail and I also fully support any effort to promote civic engagement and responsibility.

Would the sponsor support amending this bill to expand the Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps and allow them to award young volunteers in the form of college/university scholarships? We're already taking a two-pronged approach to cutting student debt this session. I think we can make it a three-pronged one.

What will AtlasiaCorps's responsibility be?

It is the same thing as AmeriCorps, just renamed.

[Senator-elect Spark]

I will give credit where it's due to Senator Spark for taking our feedback to heart. I'll take a closer read at this bill, but I have to say I'm pleased with the level of detail and I also fully support any effort to promote civic engagement and responsibility.

Would the sponsor support amending this bill to expand the Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps and allow them to award young volunteers in the form of college/university scholarships? We're already taking a two-pronged approach to cutting student debt this session. I think we can make it a three-pronged one.

What will AtlasiaCorps's responsibility be?

It is the same thing as AmeriCorps, just renamed.

In that case, sure. Will AtlasiaCorps be funded through this bill too?

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

I will give credit where it's due to Senator Spark for taking our feedback to heart. I'll take a closer read at this bill, but I have to say I'm pleased with the level of detail and I also fully support any effort to promote civic engagement and responsibility.

Would the sponsor support amending this bill to expand the Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps and allow them to award young volunteers in the form of college/university scholarships? We're already taking a two-pronged approach to cutting student debt this session. I think we can make it a three-pronged one.

What will AtlasiaCorps's responsibility be?

It is the same thing as AmeriCorps, just renamed.

In that case, sure. Will AtlasiaCorps be funded through this bill too?

Yes, and its budget will need to be increased.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

In the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia ASSEMBLED

An Act

To increase the prevalence of educational opportunities across Atlasia.

Extended Educational Learning Opportunities Act

Section 1. Purpose and Background
1. To provide for the enrollment of students in extended learning opportunities; to provide a means for allowing students to request and receive credit for participation in extended learning opportunities; to provide a process for awarding certificates of completion.

(a) Students attending schools in each of the regions would benefit from experiencing extended learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom.

(b) Students are capable of learning both inside and outside of the traditional classroom.

(c) Students should earn credit for approved extended learning opportunities that facilitate their mastery of required skills or fulfilling state standards.
Section 2. Definitions

For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. An out-of-classroom learning experience, approved by the State Board of Education, a local board of education, or a public charter school, that provides a student with any of the following:

a. Enrichment opportunities.

b. Career readiness or employ-ability skills opportunities, including internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships.

c. Any other approved educational opportunity.

(2) A student shall include those attending elementary and secondary school in K-12 non-charter public schools and public charter schools.

Commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, the local board of education and public charter school shall routinely inform students and their parents of the ability to earn credit for participating in extended learning opportunities. Employees of the local boards of education, and public charter schools may assist students, and their parents, in completing any enrollment processes required for participating in approved extended learning opportunities. Permission is not required from the local board of education or public charter school in which the student is enrolled and attending, for a parent to enroll his or her student in any approved extended learning opportunity.
Section 3. Process

1. An extended learning opportunity shall count as elective credit toward graduation requirements and the achievement of applicable state standards for students, upon approval of the extended learning opportunity by the State Board of Education, a local board of education or public charter school. To receive credit, a student shall submit a written request for credit and proof of successful completion of the approved extended learning opportunity, to the designated administrator of the school he or she is attending. The State Board of Education shall adopt, and each local board of education and public charter school distribute and implement, an extended learning opportunities policy that provides all of the following:

a. An application process for accepting and approving extended learning opportunities offered for credit by outside entities.

b. A list of entities that are eligible to submit applications for offering extended learning opportunities. Eligible entities shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

i. Nonprofit organizations.

ii. Businesses with established locations in the state.

iii. Trade associations.

iv. Any of the Armed Forces of the United States, subject to applicable age requirements.

v. The Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps
Section 4. Criteria for credit

1. A process for students to follow for requesting credit.

a. Criteria the local board of education or public charter school shall use to determine whether a proposed extended learning opportunity shall be approved to count toward credit.

b. Criteria the local board of education or public charter school shall use to award a student a certificate of completion and credit for completing an approved extended learning opportunity. The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, allowing a student to demonstrate competencies through performance-based assessments and other methods independent of instructional time and credit hours.

c. An entity approved by local school districts to offer an extended learning opportunity shall be automatically qualified to offer that extended learning opportunity for all local boards of education and public charter schools in the state.

d. A student who successfully completes an approved extended learning opportunity, and satisfies criteria established for the award of a certificate of completion and credit shall be considered to have completed all of the required coursework for the particular course. If an approved extended learning opportunity satisfies all required coursework for a high school course, the student shall also be considered to have satisfied the equivalent number of credits toward his or her graduation requirements.
Section 5. Funding

a. A grant shall be defined as "any sum of money used to fund an educational activity such as an after school activity."

b. Grants shall only be distributed to regional nonprofits, recreational, and community centers in all regions. These nonprofits, recreational, and community centers must be entities that sponsor school sponsored activities. Grants cannot be made for any other purpose.

c. The total amount of grants for these programs shall not exceed $30,000,000.

d. $300,000,000 shall be appropriated to the Peace Corps for the development of a college scholarship and student debt reduction reward program, no less than 90% of which must be used directly for the reduction of student debt.

e. $100,000,000 shall be appropriated to AtlasiaCorp for the development of a college scholarship and student debt reduction reward program, no less than 90% of which must be used directly for the reduction of student debt.

[Senator-elect Spark]

In the Congress of the Republic of Atlasia ASSEMBLED

An Act

To increase the prevalence of educational opportunities across Atlasia.

Extended Educational Learning Opportunities Act

Section 1. Purpose and Background
1. To provide for the enrollment of students in extended learning opportunities; to provide a means for allowing students to request and receive credit for participation in extended learning opportunities; to provide a process for awarding certificates of completion.

(a) Students attending schools in each of the regions would benefit from experiencing extended learning opportunities outside of the traditional classroom.

(b) Students are capable of learning both inside and outside of the traditional classroom.

(c) Students should earn credit for approved extended learning opportunities that facilitate their mastery of required skills or fulfilling state standards.
Section 2. Definitions

For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:

1. EXTENDED LEARNING OPPORTUNITY. An out-of-classroom learning experience, approved by the State Board of Education, a local board of education, or a public charter school, that provides a student with any of the following:

a. Enrichment opportunities.

b. Career readiness or employ-ability skills opportunities, including internships, pre-apprenticeships, and apprenticeships.

c. Any other approved educational opportunity.

(2) A student shall include those attending elementary and secondary school in K-12 non-charter public schools and public charter schools.

Commencing with the 2022-2023 school year, the local board of education and public charter school shall routinely inform students and their parents of the ability to earn credit for participating in extended learning opportunities. Employees of the local boards of education, and public charter schools may assist students, and their parents, in completing any enrollment processes required for participating in approved extended learning opportunities. Permission is not required from the local board of education or public charter school in which the student is enrolled and attending, for a parent to enroll his or her student in any approved extended learning opportunity.
Section 3. Process

1. An extended learning opportunity shall count as elective credit toward graduation requirements and the achievement of applicable state standards for students, upon approval of the extended learning opportunity by the State Board of Education, a local board of education or public charter school. To receive credit, a student shall submit a written request for credit and proof of successful completion of the approved extended learning opportunity, to the designated administrator of the school he or she is attending. The State Board of Education shall adopt, and each local board of education and public charter school distribute and implement, an extended learning opportunities policy that provides all of the following:

a. An application process for accepting and approving extended learning opportunities offered for credit by outside entities.

b. A list of entities that are eligible to submit applications for offering extended learning opportunities. Eligible entities shall include, but not be limited to, all of the following:

i. Nonprofit organizations.

ii. Businesses with established locations in the state.

iii. Trade associations.

iv. Any of the Armed Forces of the United States, subject to applicable age requirements.

v. The Peace Corps and AtlasiaCorps
Section 4. Criteria for credit

1. A process for students to follow for requesting credit.

a. Criteria the local board of education or public charter school shall use to determine whether a proposed extended learning opportunity shall be approved to count toward credit.

b. Criteria the local board of education or public charter school shall use to award a student a certificate of completion and credit for completing an approved extended learning opportunity. The criteria shall include, but not be limited to, allowing a student to demonstrate competencies through performance-based assessments and other methods independent of instructional time and credit hours.

c. An entity approved by local school districts to offer an extended learning opportunity shall be automatically qualified to offer that extended learning opportunity for all local boards of education and public charter schools in the state.

d. A student who successfully completes an approved extended learning opportunity, and satisfies criteria established for the award of a certificate of completion and credit shall be considered to have completed all of the required coursework for the particular course. If an approved extended learning opportunity satisfies all required coursework for a high school course, the student shall also be considered to have satisfied the equivalent number of credits toward his or her graduation requirements.
Section 5. Funding

a. A grant shall be defined as "any sum of money used to fund an educational activity such as an after school activity."

b. Grants shall only be distributed to regional nonprofits, recreational, and community centers in all regions. These nonprofits, recreational, and community centers must be entities that sponsor school sponsored activities. Grants cannot be made for any other purpose.

c. The total amount of grants for these programs shall not exceed $30,000,000.

d. $300,000,000 shall be appropriated to the Peace Corps for the development of a college scholarship and student debt reduction reward program, no less than 90% of which must be used directly for the reduction of student debt.

e. $100,000,000 shall be appropriated to AtlasiaCorp for the development of a college scholarship and student debt reduction reward program, no less than 90% of which must be used directly for the reduction of student debt.

Looks good to me. What about my fellow colleagues??

[GM Team Member and Senator WB]

I'd also increase that 30 million but as far as adding in the peace corps and atlasiacorps this looks good.

[Mad Deadly Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God]

Both numbers are essentially a fraction of the total budget of both the Peace Corps and Americorps. Any education/student debt program will be a huge expenditure.

I also wonder if maybe these numbers should be averaged and combined into a single department. Both essentially accomplish the same means, and the last thing we need is more redundant departments.

[Joseph Cao]

Again, 24 hours to object to the amendment.

[Joseph Cao]

Seeing no objections, the amendment is adopted.

[Dr. MB]

Motion for a final vote

[Joseph Cao]

24 hours to object.

[WD]

Objection

[Joseph Cao]

For the love of Dave, Ishan.

A vote is now open on cloture. 72 hours to vote; please vote Aye, Nay, or Abstain. Reminder that a three-fifths supermajority is required for cloture to be invoked.

[Joseph Cao]

Abstain.

[Saint Milei]

hell nah nay

[Continential]

nay

[Senator-elect Spark]

Aye

[Former President tack50]

Aye

I am not sure on my final vote on this bill (or if I'll even vote at all lol) but I am indeed confident that this bill is ready to be given a final vote by the Senate