Not later than July 1, 2017, the Commissioner of Education shall develop reduced-isolation setting standards for interdistrict magnet school programs that shall serve as the enrollment requirements for purposes of section 10-264l. Such standards shall (1) define the term “reduced-isolation student” for purposes of the standards, (2) establish a requirement for the minimum percentage of reduced-isolation students that can be enrolled in an interdistrict magnet school program, provided such minimum percentage is not less than twenty per cent of the total school enrollment, (3) allow an interdistrict magnet school program to have a total school enrollment of reduced-isolation students that is not more than one per cent below the minimum percentage established by the commissioner, provided the commissioner approves a plan that is designed to bring the number of reduced-isolation students of such interdistrict magnet school program into compliance with the minimum percentage, and (4) for the school year commencing July 1, 2018, authorize the commissioner to establish on or before May 1, 2018, an alternative reduced-isolation student enrollment percentage for an interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff region, as defined in subsection (k) of section 10-264l, provided the commissioner (A) determines that such alternative (i) increases opportunities for students who are residents of Hartford to access an educational setting with reduced racial isolation or other categories of diversity, including, but not limited to, geography, socioeconomic status, special education, English language learners and academic achievement, (ii) complies with the decision of Sheff v. O’Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, and (B) approves a plan for such interdistrict magnet school program that is designed to bring the number of reduced-isolation students of such interdistrict magnet school program into compliance with such alternative or the minimum percentage described in subdivision (2) of this section. Not later than May 1, 2018, the commissioner shall submit a report on each alternative reduced-isolation student enrollment percentage established, pursuant to subdivision (4) of this section, for an interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff region to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. The reduced-isolation setting standards for interdistrict magnet school programs shall not be deemed to be regulations, as defined in section 4-166.

(P.A. 17-172, S. 1.)

History: P.A. 17-172 effective July 1, 2017.