Education finance: local control funding formula: supplemental grants: lowest performing pupil subgroup or subgroups.
If enacted, AB2635 would potentially impact the financial resources available to lower-performing student groups within California's public schools. By broadening the criteria for supplemental grants to encompass these subgroups, the legislation is expected to provide additional financial support to schools serving students who are lagging in academic performance, thereby addressing educational disparities more effectively. The bill stipulates that implementation is contingent upon the appropriation of funds in the state budget.
Assembly Bill No. 2635, introduced by Assembly Members Weber, Gipson, and Burke, seeks to amend the Education Code regarding education finance in California. The bill aims to adjust the definition of 'unduplicated pupils' under the local control funding formula. Starting with the 2018-19 fiscal year, it proposes to include pupils classified as members of the lowest performing subgroup or subgroups based on recent assessments in mathematics and language arts. This adjustment is intended to enhance funding allocations aimed at supporting underperforming students.
While the bill has support from advocates of educational equity who argue that it will help allocate resources more effectively to disadvantaged populations, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of funding to meet these new requirements. Critics might argue that without sufficient state funding, adding to the funding formula could lead to competing priorities that might not result in the intended outcomes. The requirement for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to identify these subgroups annually may also introduce logistical challenges related to data collection and reporting.