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 student success factor for high-need students will increase from forty percent (40%) to forty-five percent (45%). Additionally, in local education agencies where over forty-five percent (45%) of resident children are classified as poverty status, the student success factor will be adjusted to fifty percent (50%) based on the core instruction per-pupil amount for each resident child whose family income is at or below one hundred and eighty-five percent (185%) of federal poverty guidelines.

The bill also mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to develop a new poverty measure by October 1, 2022, which will not rely on school nutrition program participation. The department is tasked with evaluating multilingual learner (MLL) students and their funding needs, as well as reporting on local contributions to education aid. The act will take effect upon passage, aiming to enhance educational equity and support for students from low-income families.

Statutes affected:
2826: 16-7.2-3