1508 AMH ED MOET 862

HB 1508 - H COMM AMD

By Committee on Education

NOT CONSIDERED 03/02/2017

    On page 10, after line 13, insert the following:

    "(3) Subject to the availability of amounts appropriated for this specific purpose, the office of the superintendent of public instruction may award grants to school districts to collaborate with community-based organizations, food banks, and farms or gardens for reducing high school dropout occurrences through farm engagement projects.  Projects established by school districts that receive grants in accordance with this section must:

    (a) Primarily target low-income and disengaged youth who have dropped out or who are at risk of dropping out of high school; and

    (b) Provide participating youth with opportunities for:

    (i) Performing community service, including, but not limited to, building food gardens for low-income families, and work-based learning and employment during the school year and summer through farm or garden programs;

    (ii) Earning core and elective credits applied toward high school graduation, including but not limited to, science, health, and career and technical education credits;

    (iii) Receiving development support and services, including social and emotional learning, counseling, leadership training, and career and college guidance; and

    (iv) Improving food security for themselves and their community through the project."

EFFECT:   (1) Authorizes the Office of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, to the extent funds are appropriated for this purpose, to award grants to school districts to collaborate with community-based organizations, food banks, and farms or gardens for reducing high school dropout occurrences through farm engagement projects.  (2) Specifies criteria that farm engagement projects funded by the grants must satisfy.

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