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. Notably, the student success factor for high-need students will increase from forty percent (40%) to forty-five percent (45%). Furthermore, if over forty-five percent of resident children in a local education agency are classified as having a family income at or below one hundred eighty-five percent (185%) of federal poverty guidelines, the student success factor will be adjusted to fifty percent (50%).

Additionally, the bill mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a new poverty measure that does not rely on school nutrition programs and to utilize this measure in various calculations related to education aid. The department is also required to evaluate the number of multilingual learners and their funding needs, as well as to report on local contributions to education aid. The act will take effect upon passage, aiming to enhance educational equity and support for high-need students in the state.

Statutes affected:
190: 16-7.2-3