The bill amends Section 16-7.2-3 of the General Laws under "The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act" to establish a permanent foundation education aid formula. This formula will calculate foundation education aid for each district based on a core instruction amount and additional support for high-need students. The core instruction amount will be derived from regional expenditure data and updated annually.

Beginning July 1, 2025, the bill introduces a new multiplier of twenty-five percent (25%) for each resident child identified as a multilingual learner, as defined by regulations of the council on elementary and secondary education, and for each resident child whose family income is at or below one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of federal poverty guidelines.

Local education agencies will be required to report annually to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on their use of funds for multilingual learners. The act aims to enhance educational equity by ensuring that funding formulas adequately address the needs of high-need students, particularly those from low-income families and multilingual backgrounds. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
5398: 16-7.2-3