The bill amends Section 16-7.2-3 of the General Laws in Chapter 16-7.2 entitled "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to establish a permanent foundation education aid formula. The formula includes a core instruction amount based on regional expenditure data and a student success factor to support high-need students. The bill introduces changes to the calculation of additional support for high-need students by adding a new qualifying factor: whether the student is an English language learner, as defined by the Rhode Island Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's regulations. This is in addition to the existing factor of family income at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines. The bill also requires the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a new poverty measure that does not rely on school nutrition programs and to include any recommendations to mitigate disruptions or improve accuracy in its calculation.

The bill outlines that the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education must provide an estimate of the foundation education aid cost as part of its budget submission, including adjustments for average daily membership growth or decline. Local education agencies are allowed to set aside funds received under the formula to expand learning opportunities, provided that the basic education program and other required programs are funded. The Department is also tasked with promulgating regulations necessary to implement the purposes of this chapter. The act would take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
67: 16-7.2-3