(1) (a) On or before September 15, 2009, the department of education, in consultation with the department of higher education, shall contract with an independent entity to conduct a study of the costs of implementing the provisions of this part 10. At a minimum, the study shall address the anticipated costs to be incurred by the department of education, the department of higher education, local education providers, and state institutions of higher education in implementing the provisions of this part 10. (b) In selecting an independent entity to conduct the cost study, the department of education shall consult with the department of higher education and shall ensure that the selected entity has expertise in school finance and higher education finance statutes and issues in this state and nationally. (c) At a minimum, the cost study shall address the costs associated with: (I) Reviewing, adopting, and implementing standards and curricula to meet or exceed the newly adopted preschool through elementary and secondary education standards, including but not limited to implementing the English language competency standards and providing services and supports as required in section 22-7-1016 (5); (II) Implementing the assessment system for the preschool through elementary and secondary education standards; (III) Implementing the school readiness description and assessments, including creating and implementing individualized readiness plans; (IV) Incorporating career and technical education standards into the curricula; (V) Aligning the preschool, elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education curricula with the postsecondary and workforce readiness description; (VI) Making changes to the postsecondary admissions processes and publications to take into account the postsecondary and workforce readiness description and the assessments administered pursuant to section 22-7-1006.3 to students enrolled in high school; and (VII) Reviewing, adopting, and implementing standards in educator preparation programs to incorporate the preschool through elementary and secondary education standards, the school readiness description, the system of assessments, the individualized readiness plans, and the postsecondary and workforce readiness description. (2) The entity selected to conduct the cost study shall submit reports to the department of education and the department of higher education in accordance with the following timeline: (a) On or before March 1, 2010, a report of the costs pertaining to adoption and implementation of the school readiness description; the preschool through elementary and secondary education standards, including but not limited to the English language competency standards; and the postsecondary and workforce readiness description; (b) On or before October 1, 2011, a report of the costs pertaining to implementation of the school readiness assessments and the system of assessments that is aligned with the preschool through elementary and secondary education standards; and (c) On or before October 1, 2014, a report of the costs pertaining to implementation of the diploma endorsements. (3) As soon as possible following receipt of each report specified in subsection (2) of this section, the department of education shall submit the report to the joint budget committee of the general assembly and to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives, or any successor committees.
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