SENATE AMENDED PRIOR PRINTER'S NOS. 184, 2051, 2163, PRINTER'S NO. 4696 4560
No. 204 Session of 2001
INTRODUCED BY STAIRS, COLAFELLA, T. ARMSTRONG, BASTIAN, FLEAGLE, HERMAN, NAILOR, SCHULER, T. STEVENSON, GRUCELA, BARD, BISHOP, BOYES, CALTAGIRONE, CLARK, M. COHEN, COY, DALEY, DeLUCA, EGOLF, FEESE, FRANKEL, FREEMAN, GEIST, HALUSKA, HARHAI, HENNESSEY, HESS, LAUGHLIN, MANDERINO, MARSICO, MELIO, R. MILLER, PIPPY, ROSS, RUBLEY, SATHER, SCHRODER, SCRIMENTI, SHANER, STABACK, SURRA, E. Z. TAYLOR, TULLI, WALKO, WANSACZ, ZUG, JOSEPHS, YUDICHAK, MUNDY, SEMMEL, McCALL, C. WILLIAMS, PRESTON, DeWEESE, HORSEY, SAYLOR, J. EVANS AND BROWNE, JANUARY 24, 2001
AS AMENDED ON THIRD CONSIDERATION, IN SENATE, NOVEMBER 25, 2002
AN ACT 1 Establishing a system for collecting information from school <-- 2 districts and other school entities in a uniform manner; 3 making the information accessible to the public; imposing 4 duties and responsibilities on the Department of Education 5 and various school entities; and establishing financial 6 penalties for noncompliance. 7 AMENDING THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), ENTITLED "AN <-- 8 ACT RELATING TO THE PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM, INCLUDING CERTAIN 9 PROVISIONS APPLICABLE AS WELL TO PRIVATE AND PAROCHIAL 10 SCHOOLS; AMENDING, REVISING, CONSOLIDATING AND CHANGING THE 11 LAWS RELATING THERETO," FURTHER PROVIDING FOR EMPLOYMENT <-- 12 CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS; PROVIDING FOR A STATE REPORT CARD 13 AND FOR THE COLLECTION OF DATA; AND FURTHER PROVIDING FOR <-- 14 HEALTH RECOMMENDATIONS. 15 The General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania 16 hereby enacts as follows: 17 Section 1. Short title. <-- 18 This act shall be known and may be cited as the School 19 Profiles Act.
1 Section 2. Definitions. 2 The following words and phrases when used in this act shall 3 have the meanings given to them in this section unless the 4 context clearly indicates otherwise: 5 "Administrative/supervisory personnel." Personnel who direct 6 and manage or assist with directing and managing the programs, 7 operation and personnel of a school entity or particular school. 8 "Classroom teacher." An individual, including a career or 9 technical teacher, who provides instruction to students. 10 "Coordinated services personnel." Personnel who provide 11 guidance, health and psychological services and assistance to 12 students, parents and other staff members or who perform 13 specially designed services not provided by regular or special 14 education instruction. 15 "Department." The Department of Education of the 16 Commonwealth. 17 "Dropout." A student who, at any time during the previous 18 school year, was between 12 years of age and 21 years of age and 19 enrolled in grades 7 through 12, but who was not enrolled by 20 September 30 of the current year, for any reason except death, 21 suspension, excused illness, graduation or transfer to another 22 school entity. 23 "Dropout rate." The percentage of secondary level students 24 enrolled who drop out during a single school year. 25 "Expulsion." This term shall have the same meaning given to 26 it in 22 Pa. Code § 12.6 (relating to expulsion from school). 27 "Gifted student." This term shall have the same meaning 28 given to it in 22 Pa. Code, Chapter 16 (relating to special 29 education for gifted students). 30 "Habitual truant." A student who has been absent without 20010H0204B4696 - 2 -
1 lawful excuse for more than three consecutive school days. 2 "Kindergarten program." A program offered to children who 3 are below a school district's minimum entry age for beginners. 4 "Librarian." An individual with library science 5 certification who provides library services and teaches 6 information literacy skills. 7 "School." A division of a school system which is comprised 8 of one or more grade groups, organized as one unit usually under 9 the direction of a principal or head teacher. The term includes 10 an independent school established pursuant to section 1704-B(a) 11 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the 12 Public School Code of 1949. 13 "School entity." Any of the following: 14 (1) A school district as defined in section 102 of the 15 act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public 16 School Code of 1949. 17 (2) An area vocational-technical school operated 18 pursuant to Article XVIII of the Public School Code of 1949. 19 (3) A charter school as defined in section 1703-A of the 20 Public School Code of 1949. 21 "Secretary." The Secretary of Education of the Commonwealth. 22 "Special education student." A student who receives special 23 education in accordance with the Individuals with Disabilities 24 Education Act (Public Law 91-230, 20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.) and 25 22 Pa. Code, Chapter 14 (relating to special education services 26 and programs). 27 "Suspension." This term shall have the same meaning given to 28 it in 22 Pa. Code § 12.6(b)(1) (relating to exclusions from 29 school). 30 Section 3. School profiles. 20010H0204B4696 - 3 -
1 Reports provided pursuant to this act shall form the basis of 2 school, school-entity-wide and State profiles referenced in 3 sections 5 and 6. These profiles shall replace the profiles 4 previously developed by the secretary pursuant to 22 Pa. Code § 5 4.61 (relating to school profiles). These profiles shall be 6 compiled from data reported by the school entities and shall not 7 constitute an additional report by the school entities. 8 Section 4. Duties of school entities. 9 (a) General rule.--Each school entity shall submit to the 10 department the information listed in section 5, in accordance 11 with the established deadlines established specifically 12 applicable to each informational item. Unless otherwise 13 provided, the school entity shall submit information for each 14 individual school within its jurisdiction. 15 (b) Time.--All of the information required to complete the 16 school profile shall be submitted to the department no later 17 than February 1 of each year. Nothing in this section shall be 18 construed to alter any established deadline for the submission 19 of any informational item listed in section 5. 20 (c) Penalty for failure to comply.--The penalties set forth 21 in section 2552 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), 22 known as the Public School Code of 1949, shall apply to all 23 school entities for purposes of this act. 24 Section 5. Required information. 25 The information submitted by school entities shall include, 26 but not be limited to, the following: 27 (1) Enrollment by grade level, including four-year and 28 five-year old kindergarten by half-day and full-day, as of 29 October 1. 30 (2) The number of schools comprising the school entity 20010H0204B4696 - 4 -
1 and the grade levels in each school. 2 (3) Percentage of low-income students, calculated in a 3 manner prescribed by the department. 4 (4) The number of students receiving instruction in 5 English as a second language courses. 6 (5) By school entity, the number and percentage of 7 students with disabilities enrolled in special education 8 programs. 9 (6) By school entity, the number and percentage of 10 students identified as gifted enrolled in gifted programs. 11 (7) Student attendance rates for the school year 12 measured as the percentage for the school year of students 13 present each day to the total enrollment each day. 14 (8) The number of students who entered or withdrew 15 during the school year. 16 (9) The number of suspensions at the secondary level 17 during the school year. 18 (10) The number of expulsions at the secondary level 19 during the school year. 20 (11) Dropout rate by grade. 21 (12) The number of students retained grade-to-grade at 22 the secondary level. 23 (13) The percentage of classes within each of the 24 following categories: 25 (i) 1 through 20 students. 26 (ii) 21 through 23 students. 27 (iii) 24 through 26 students. 28 (iv) 27 through 29 students. 29 (v) 30 or more students. 30 (13.1) THE PERCENTAGE OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASSES <-- 20010H0204B4696 - 5 -
1 WITHIN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: 2 (I) 1 THROUGH 20 STUDENTS. 3 (II) 21 THROUGH 23 STUDENTS. 4 (III) 24 THROUGH 26 STUDENTS. 5 (IV) 27 THROUGH 29 STUDENTS. 6 (V) 30 OR MORE STUDENTS. 7 (13.2) THE PERCENTAGE OF SECONDARY SCHOOL, MATH AND 8 ENGLISH CLASSES WITHIN EACH OF THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES: 9 (I) 1 THROUGH 20 STUDENTS. 10 (II) 21 THROUGH 23 STUDENTS. 11 (III) 24 THROUGH 26 STUDENTS. 12 (IV) 27 THROUGH 29 STUDENTS. 13 (V) 30 OR MORE STUDENTS. 14 (14) (i) The number of professional or certificated 15 employees at each school and school entity and the number 16 of noncertificated personnel in positions normally 17 requiring certification. 18 (ii) Number of administrative/supervisory personnel. 19 (iii) The number of classroom teachers. 20 (iv) The number of librarians. 21 (v) The number of coordinate services personnel. 22 (15) Teacher absenteeism represented as the percentage 23 of teacher contractual days that permanent contractual 24 teachers were absent for personal reasons. 25 (16) Classroom teacher time devoted to professional 26 development reported as the percentage of teacher contractual 27 days that permanent contractual teachers devoted to 28 professional development, including days enumerated under 29 section 1504 of the act of March 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), 30 known as the Public School Code of 1949, in-service days and 20010H0204B4696 - 6 -
1 individual professional development days. 2 (17) Listing of professional development, class 3 preparation and research opportunities provided for 4 professional employees and noncertificated personnel in 5 positions normally requiring certification. 6 (18) Listing of academic and support programs, 7 opportunities and initiatives offered or supported in the 8 school entity as specified in technical guidelines issued by 9 the department. 10 (19) By school entity, a listing of commercial 11 standardized tests administered and the grades in which they 12 are administered. 13 (20) Percentage of professional employees and 14 noncertificated personnel in positions normally requiring 15 certification possessing bachelor's, master's and doctoral 16 degrees. 17 (21) Classroom teachers' average years of service in 18 education. 19 (22) Librarians' average years of service in education. 20 (23) The number of classroom teachers serving under 21 emergency permits. 22 (24) The number of instructional days in the school 23 year. 24 (25) The number of contractual days in the school year 25 for classroom teachers. 26 (26) The number of instructional hours in a school day. 27 (27) The total number of resident students attending 28 charter schools. 29 (28) For the graduating senior class, the percentage of 30 graduates planning to enter college or university, other 20010H0204B4696 - 7 -
1 postsecondary school, military service or employment. 2 (29) The number of students classified as habitual 3 truants. 4 (30) Library resources, including: 5 (i) The number of cataloged items in the library 6 collection at the end of the school year. 7 (ii) The number of on-line reference and periodical 8 data base titles the library makes available to its 9 users. 10 (iii) The total circulation of library materials 11 during the last school year. 12 (31) Technology resources, including: 13 (i) The total number of computers in the school. 14 (ii) The number of computers available for student 15 use. 16 (iii) The number of computers with Internet access. 17 (iv) The number of computers available in teachers' 18 workroom. 19 (v) The number of computers available in classrooms. 20 (vi) The number of computers available in computer 21 lab. 22 (vii) The number of computers available in library 23 or media center. 24 (32) Number of items of broadcast or cable television 25 available in teachers' workroom, classrooms, computer lab and 26 library or media center. 27 (33) Fiscal information as required by section 613 of 28 the Public School Code of 1949, including, but not limited 29 to, the following: 30 (i) Classroom instructional costs. 20010H0204B4696 - 8 -
1 (ii) Instructional support costs. 2 (iii) Administrative support costs by school entity. 3 (iv) Subject matter or grade-level costs. 4 (v) Technology costs by school entity. 5 (vi) Special education instructional and 6 noninstructional costs by school entity. 7 (vii) Total outstanding long-term debt by school 8 entity. 9 (viii) Revenues by source by school entity. 10 (ix) Total funds available by school entity. 11 (x) Professional development by school entity. 12 (xi) Transportation costs by school entity. 13 (xii) Facilities and plant operations. 14 (xiii) Extracurricular activities by school entity. 15 (xiv) Food service costs by school entity. 16 (34) The number of incidents reported pursuant to 17 section 1303-A(b) of the Public School Code of 1949. 18 (35) The number of eleventh and twelfth grade students 19 who took the College Entrance Examination Board Advanced 20 Placement Test. 21 (36) The number of eleventh and twelfth grade students 22 who scored above three on the College Entrance Examination 23 Board Advanced Placement Test. 24 (37) The number of eleventh and twelfth grade students 25 who took the Scholastic Aptitude Test, the American College 26 Test or both. 27 (38) The number of eleventh and twelfth grade students 28 who scored in the top quartile of the Scholastic Aptitude 29 Test or American College Test and the number of those who 30 scored in the bottom quartile. 20010H0204B4696 - 9 -
1 (39) Average Scholastic Aptitude Test and American 2 College Test scores for each school entity. 3 (40) Scaled scores of the Pennsylvania System of School 4 Assessment or the local assessment system aligned with 5 academic standards, divided into all students at the school 6 and school entity level. 7 (41) Pennsylvania System of School Assessment or the 8 local assessment system aligned with academic standards, data 9 disaggregated at the school level. 10 (42) Pertinent data from the National Occupational 11 Competency Testing Institute's Job Ready Assessments and 12 other department-approved tests given to students in 13 department-approved career and technical programs. 14 (43) School entity-level data from the administration of 15 Pennsylvania Alternate System of Assessment in accordance 16 with department guidelines. 17 (44) Number of students enrolled in approved 18 occupational career and technical programs. 19 (45) For the completers of approved occupational career 20 and technical programs, the percentage of those who obtained 21 employment, enrolled in a postsecondary institution or 22 entered military service. 23 (46) Other information that may be required as directed 24 by the secretary to comply with Federal or State statutes. 25 Section 6. Duties of department. 26 (a) Guidelines.--The department shall develop guidelines as 27 necessary for the implementation of section 5 and provide 28 technical assistance to school entities in reporting information 29 required by section 4(a). The department shall compile data and 30 report it by school entity pursuant to this act. 20010H0204B4696 - 10 -
1 (b) Preliminary summaries.-- 2 (1) The department shall prepare preliminary summaries 3 for each school entity and its individual schools, based on 4 the information obtained under this act. 5 (2) In order to ensure accurate data, the department 6 shall make the preliminary summaries available on-line for 7 each school entity. 8 (3) Within 20 days of receipt of the on-line summaries, 9 the school entity may request that the department make any 10 material changes in any summary. 11 (4) If the district does not submit such request within 12 20 days, the summaries shall be deemed accurate and become 13 the school and school entity-wide profiles. 14 (c) State profile.--The department shall create a State 15 profile based on the profiles created pursuant to subsection 16 (b). The State profile shall provide information for 17 socioeconomically similar schools. 18 (d) Publication of school, school entity-wide and State 19 profiles.--No later than March 1 of each year, the department 20 shall publish on its World Wide Web site the school, school 21 entity-wide and State profiles established in accordance with 22 subsections (b) and (c). Prior to the release of the profiles 23 the department shall issue a press release informing the public 24 of the availability of this information. 25 Section 7. Nonpublic school election to comply. 26 Upon request to the department by the principal of a 27 nonpublic school as defined in section 922.1 of the act of March 28 10, 1949 (P.L.30, No.14), known as the Public School Code of 29 1949, nonpublic schools may elect to comply with the provisions 30 of this act. 20010H0204B4696 - 11 -
1 Section 8. Effective date. 2 This act shall take effect July 1, 2001, or immediately, 3 whichever is later. 4 SECTION 1. THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN <-- 5 AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949, IS AMENDED BY ADDING A 6 SECTION TO READ: 7 SECTION 1. SECTION 111(C) OF THE ACT OF MARCH 10, 1949 <-- 8 (P.L.30, NO.14), KNOWN AS THE PUBLIC SCHOOL CODE OF 1949, 9 AMENDED DECEMBER 19, 1990 (P.L.1362, NO.211), IS AMENDED TO 10 READ: 11 SECTION 111. BACKGROUND CHECKS OF PROSPECTIVE EMPLOYES; 12 CONVICTION OF EMPLOYES OF CERTAIN OFFENSES.--* * * 13 (C) WHERE THE APPLICANT [IS] HAS NOT BEEN A RESIDENT OF 14 [THE] THIS COMMONWEALTH FOR AT LEAST TWO (2) YEARS IMMEDIATELY 15 PRECEDING THE DATE OF APPLICATION FOR EMPLOYMENT, ADMINISTRATORS 16 SHALL REQUIRE THE APPLICANT TO SUBMIT WITH THE APPLICATION FOR 17 EMPLOYMENT A REPORT OF FEDERAL CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORD 18 INFORMATION PURSUANT TO THE FEDERAL BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION 19 APPROPRIATION OF TITLE II OF PUBLIC LAW 92-544, 86 STAT. 1115, 20 AND THE DEPARTMENT SHALL BE THE INTERMEDIARY FOR THE PURPOSES OF 21 THIS SECTION. 22 * * * 23 SECTION 2. THE ACT IS AMENDED BY ADDING A SECTION TO READ: 24 SECTION 220. STATE REPORT CARD.--(A) THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 25 CREATE A STATE REPORT CARD BASED ON THE INFORMATION COLLECTED 26 PURSUANT TO THIS SECTION. THE DEPARTMENT: 27 (1) SHALL INFORM THE PUBLIC OF THE AVAILABILITY OF THE STATE 28 REPORT CARD PRIOR TO PUBLICATION. 29 (2) SHALL PUBLISH ON ITS WORLD WIDE WEB SITE THE STATE 30 REPORT CARD, PROVIDING INFORMATION AT THE STATE, LOCAL EDUCATION 20010H0204B4696 - 12 -
1 AGENCY AND SCHOOL LEVELS. 2 (3) SHALL ISSUE GUIDELINES CONCERNING THE COLLECTION AND 3 SUBMISSION OF DATA AS NECESSARY TO ENSURE CONTINUED COMPLIANCE 4 WITH FEDERAL AND STATE LAWS, REGULATIONS AND STANDARDS. 5 (4) MAY CONDUCT AUDITS OF THE DATA SUBMITTED BY LOCAL 6 EDUCATION AGENCIES UNDER SUBSECTION (B) FOR THE PURPOSE OF 7 ASSURING ACCURACY AND COMPLETENESS. IF THE DEPARTMENT DETERMINES 8 TO CONDUCT AUDITS UNDER THIS PARAGRAPH, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 9 ISSUE GUIDELINES FOR THE CONDUCT OF SUCH AUDITS, INCLUDING THE 10 PERCENTAGE OF LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCIES TO BE AUDITED ON A YEARLY 11 BASIS. IN CONDUCTING SUCH AUDITS, THE DEPARTMENT SHALL 12 COORDINATE WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL. NOTHING 13 IN THIS SECTION SHALL BE CONSTRUED TO EXPAND THE AUDITING 14 AUTHORITY OF THE AUDITOR GENERAL. 15 (B) A LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY SHALL DO ALL OF THE FOLLOWING: 16 (1) COLLECT DATA AND SUBMIT IT IN A FORM AND MANNER 17 PRESCRIBED BY THE DEPARTMENT. THE DATA SHALL INCLUDE: 18 (I) THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1111(H)(1)(C) OF 19 THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001 AS APPLIED TO THE LOCAL 20 EDUCATION AGENCY AS A WHOLE AND TO EACH OF ITS SCHOOLS. 21 (II) THE INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN SECTION 1111(H)(2)(B)(I) 22 AND (II) OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001. 23 (III) ANY OTHER INFORMATION REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH THE NO 24 CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001. 25 (IV) ANY INFORMATION DESCRIBED IN 22 PA. CODE § 4.61 26 (RELATING TO SCHOOL PROFILES) THAT IS NOT INCLUDED UNDER 27 SUBPARAGRAPH (I), (II) OR (III). 28 (2) DISSEMINATE THE INFORMATION COLLECTED IN PARAGRAPH (1) 29 IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PUBLIC DISSEMINATION REQUIREMENTS OF 30 SECTION 1111(H)(2)(E) OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001. 20010H0204B4696 - 13 -
1 NOTHING IN THIS SECTION SHALL EXCUSE A LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY 2 FROM COMPLYING WITH THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND 3 ACT OF 2001 NOT SPECIFICALLY REFERENCED IN THIS SECTION. 4 (C) DEFINITIONS.--AS USED IN THIS SECTION, THE FOLLOWING 5 WORDS AND PHRASES SHALL HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM IN THIS 6 SUBSECTION: 7 "DEPARTMENT." THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION OF THE 8 COMMONWEALTH. 9 "LOCAL EDUCATION AGENCY." A SCHOOL DISTRICT, CYBER CHARTER 10 SCHOOL, CHARTER SCHOOL, AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL SCHOOL OR 11 INTERMEDIATE UNIT. 12 "NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ACT OF 2001." THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND 13 ACT OF 2001 (PUBLIC LAW 107-110, 115 STAT. 1425). 14 SECTION 3. SECTION 1406 OF THE ACT, ADDED JULY 15, 1957 <-- 15 (P.L.937, NO.404), IS AMENDED TO READ: 16 SECTION 1406. RECOMMENDATIONS.--(A) RECOMMENDATIONS AS TO 17 MEDICAL, SURGICAL OR DENTAL CARE SHALL BE SENT TO EACH PARENT OR 18 GUARDIAN AND TO THE FAMILY PHYSICIAN OR FAMILY DENTIST ON FORMS 19 PREPARED OR APPROVED BY THE SECRETARY OF HEALTH WITH 20 INSTRUCTIONS TO THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN TO CONSULT THE FAMILY 21 PHYSICIAN OR FAMILY DENTIST AND TO NOTIFY THE SCHOOL AUTHORITIES 22 OF THE ACTION TAKEN WITH RESPECT TO THE RECOMMENDATIONS. 23 (B) SCHOOL PHYSICIANS OR SCHOOL NURSES SHALL INFORM TEACHERS 24 OF THE HEALTH CONDITIONS OF PUPILS WHICH MAY AFFECT BEHAVIOR, 25 APPEARANCE OR SCHOLASTIC PERFORMANCE. 26 (C) NOTICE OF THE EXISTENCE OF AND ELIGIBILITY FOR THE 27 PROGRAM UNDER ARTICLE XXIII OF THE ACT OF MAY 17, 1921 (P.L.682, 28 NO.284), KNOWN AS "THE INSURANCE COMPANY LAW OF 1921," SHALL BE 29 PREPARED BY, PAID FOR AND PROVIDED TO EACH SCHOOL DISTRICT IN 30 PENNSYLVANIA BY THE INSURANCE DEPARTMENT ANNUALLY, NOT LATER 20010H0204B4696 - 14 -
1 THAN THE FIFTEENTH DAY OF AUGUST, IN SUFFICIENT QUANTITIES TO 2 PROVIDE THE PARENT OR LEGAL GUARDIAN OF EVERY SCHOOL STUDENT 3 ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT WITH SUCH NOTICE. THE SCHOOL DISTRICT 4 SHALL PROVIDE SUCH NOTICE TO THE PARENT OR GUARDIAN OF EACH 5 STUDENT ENROLLED IN THE DISTRICT DURING THE SCHOOL YEAR. THE 6 INSURANCE DEPARTMENT SHALL PROVIDE SUFFICIENT COPIES OF THE 7 NOTICE TO NONPUBLIC SCHOOLS UPON REQUEST. 8 SECTION 2 4. THE PURPOSE OF SECTION 220 OF THE ACT IS TO <-- 9 PROVIDE THE TAXPAYERS AND THE PARENTS OF STUDENTS IN THIS 10 COMMONWEALTH WITH INFORMATION RELATED TO THE PERFORMANCE OF 11 SCHOOL DISTRICTS, INTERMEDIATE UNITS, AREA VOCATIONAL-TECHNICAL 12 SCHOOLS, CHARTER SCHOOLS AND CYBER CHARTER SCHOOLS; TO ASSIST 13 TAXPAYERS AND PARENTS IN MAKING INFORMED DECISIONS ABOUT THE 14 PERFORMANCE OF THOSE SCHOOL ENTITIES; AND TO HOLD THOSE SCHOOL 15 ENTITIES ACCOUNTABLE TO HIGH ACADEMIC STANDARDS. 16 SECTION 3 5. THIS ACT SHALL TAKE EFFECT IMMEDIATELY. <-- A2L24BIL/20010H0204B4696 - 15 -