Provides that a student's enrollment in Medicaid would be included in calculating and determining the student success factor for use in the foundation education-aid formula.
Impact
If passed, HB 5751 would directly enhance funding for school districts by adjusting the calculations used to determine foundation education aid. The inclusion of Medicaid enrollment means that districts will have access to additional resources to better serve their students from low-income families, particularly those who are enrolled in state assistance programs. This amendment is expected to enhance equity in education by providing more tailored support to vulnerable populations, thereby addressing the disparities in educational funding and opportunities.
Summary
House Bill 5751, titled 'The Education Equity and Property Tax Relief Act,' aims to amend existing regulations regarding the foundation education aid formula in Rhode Island. Specifically, the bill proposes to include a student’s enrollment in Medicaid as a factor in calculating the student success factor for determining aid for high-need students. This change is significant as it broadens the criteria for supporting students who may be economically disadvantaged, ensuring that those who meet specific poverty thresholds receive adequate educational resources.
Contention
Despite the potential benefits, there are also notable concerns regarding HB 5751. Critics argue that relying on Medicaid enrollment as a metric could complicate funding calculations and may not fully address the variety of needs that different districts face. There is apprehension about the administrative burden that could arise from implementing the new measures, especially as the bill mandates the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education to refine its poverty measurement approach. Opponents may also point out that this method could lead to inconsistencies in how aid is distributed across various communities, particularly in rural versus urban districts.
Amends the method for the calculation of the permanent foundation education aid to school districts, and would make an adjustment based upon students residing in qualified low-income housing.
Provides that in local educational agencies when over 45% of the children have a family income that is at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines then the student success factor will be 50% by the core instruction per-pupil amount.
Provides that in local educational agencies when over 45% of the children have a family income that is at or below 185% of federal poverty guidelines then the student success factor will be 50% by the core instruction per-pupil amount.
Adds multilingual learners into the determination of high-need students and provides a student success factor of twenty-five percent (25%) of the core instruction per-pupil amount and repeals the categorical funding for these students.
Adds multilingual learners into the determination of high-need students and provides a student success factor of twenty-five percent (25%) of the core instruction per-pupil amount and repeals the categorical funding for these students.
Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.
Requires a review by the department of elementary and secondary education of the formula components used to compute the aid needed to support high need students.
Adds to the determination of the need to support high-need students a separate and independent qualifying factor of whether the student is an English language learner as defined by the department of education's regulations.
Provides for increases or decreases in the amount of foundation level school support that a community would receive, based upon a community's ability to meet and surpass its minimum low- and moderate-income housing requirements.
Provides that the permanent foundation educational aid program would provide state funding for school-based mental health services pursuant to specified conditions.