The Renewing Alabama's Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) Act aims to enhance funding for public K-12 education in Alabama by establishing a new Article 16 in Chapter 13 of Title 16 of the Code of Alabama 1975, which creates the RAISE Fund. This fund will provide additional financial resources to local education agencies (LEAs) to address student needs and improve educational outcomes. The bill mandates LEAs to report student data, sets priorities for fund usage, and establishes accountability measures through a review committee and an accountability review board. The RAISE Fund will be financed through appropriations from the Education Trust Fund, with specific conditions for LEAs to receive allocations, including the development of a unified application for funding processes and a professional learning series for LEA employees.

Bill SB305 introduces significant changes to the RAISE Act, particularly regarding funding and accountability mechanisms for LEAs starting in the 2028-2029 school year. It integrates the professional learning series into the unified application and establishes a framework for determining the annual cost of the RAISE program, including weighted allocations for various qualifying student groups. The bill also creates the RAISE Act Accountability and Implementation Board, which will monitor LEAs and schools, review accountability plans, and propose a hearing process for assessing the effective use of RAISE funds. Additionally, it mandates the development of a unified application for state and federal funding, with an audit to identify burdensome regulations due by November 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on June 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 16-13-360
Engrossed: 16-13-360
Enrolled: 16-13-360