Primary and Secondary Education – Enrollment Count – Average Daily Attendance
The passage of HB 1045 is expected to significantly affect how funding is allocated to schools across Maryland. By altering the criteria for calculating average daily attendance and full-time equivalent enrollment, the bill aims to provide a more accurate representation of student population dynamics. This adjustment could lead to changes in funding distribution, potentially benefiting schools with fluctuating enrollment patterns while also raising questions about how funds are effectively utilized under the new guidelines. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2022 and will be applicable to fiscal years beginning after June 30, 2023.
House Bill 1045, introduced by Delegates Kittleman, McComas, and Morgan, addresses the calculation of funding for primary and secondary education in Maryland by redefining terms related to student enrollment. Specifically, it clarifies the meaning of 'average daily attendance' as the sum of students attending school each day from September to December of the prior school year, divided by the number of school days in that period. The bill also modifies the definition of 'full-time equivalent enrollment' to incorporate this average daily attendance into funding calculations, alongside other factors such as evening high school programs and P-TECH students.
Discussions around HB 1045 may involve debates on the implications of these changes on various schools, particularly those in areas with significant demographic shifts. Opponents might argue that the new definitions could disadvantage schools that rely on stable funding to support their educational offerings. Additionally, the bill's reliance on attendance data from a specific semester could disproportionately affect regions with higher absenteeism rates or those struggling with engagement issues in education.
A critical aspect of HB 1045 is its attempt to standardize how average daily attendance is computed, thereby impacting the foundation program, which determines per pupil funding. Stakeholders in the education sector will likely monitor the implementation of these changes closely, assessing their effectiveness in addressing the funding needs of various educational institutions across the state.