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. Effective July 1, 2026, the support for high-need students will include a student success factor that applies a 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.

Additionally, the bill requires local education agencies to report annually to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education on the number of multilingual learners and their funding needs. The department is tasked with evaluating and recommending funding solutions for multilingual learners, ensuring compliance with local contributions to education aid, and submitting various reports to improve the accuracy of data used in the education funding formula. The act will take effect upon passage.

Statutes affected:
8270: 16-7.2-3