MAEP; determine cost of using Average Daily Membership (ADM) in lieu of ADA with 90% threshold attendance trigger.
The bill is expected to significantly influence how educational funding is appropriated to school districts in Mississippi. By shifting towards an ADM-based funding model, it aims to provide a more equitable distribution of resources based on actual enrollment figures rather than attendance records alone. This could positively affect districts facing challenges related to fluctuating attendance, as funding would more accurately reflect student enrollment levels. Additionally, the bill removes specific attendance requirements related to how student absences are counted, potentially easing the administrative burden on schools regarding attendance tracking.
House Bill 1176 aims to amend various sections of the Mississippi Code related to the definition and administration of the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP). Primarily, the bill defines 'Average Daily Membership (ADM)' for determining the costs associated with the education program across school districts. The legislation proposes to change funding allocations based on this membership metric, moving away from the traditional 'Average Daily Attendance' (ADA) model to a system influenced by ADM enrollment metrics. This amendment seeks to encapsulate a broader range of student participation in calculations for distributing educational funds, thereby ensuring that funding is aligned with the actual number of students enrolled in school districts.
While the bill has potential advantages, there are points of contention among stakeholders in the educational community. Critics express concerns that while switching to an ADM system could help fairness in funding, it might also incentivize schools to focus overly on student enrollments rather than attendance quality. There are apprehensions that this could lead to a misalignment between funding appropriations and educational quality. Furthermore, there may be discussions about how the changes to attendance policies could impact student accountability and the overall educational environment, with some advocating for maintaining traditional attendance metrics that reflect engagement and participation in school activities.