Relating to additional weighting for limited English proficient students and including effective date and applicability provisions

Description

Senate File 445 increases the amount of supplementary weighting for an English language learner (ELL) from 0.22 to 0.295 per pupil.

Background

The Department of Education describes an ELL as a student who is in the process of acquiring English proficiency and has a first language other than English. Under current law, a student identified as an ELL may draw an additional weighting of 0.22 in the School Aid and Levy formula for no more than five years. In FY 2019, approximately 20,516 students were identified as ELLs and received supplementary weighting, an increase of 2.9% from FY 2018.

Assumptions

Increasing the weighting for ELL pupils would have a fiscal impact on State aid from the General Fund. The fiscal estimate uses growth rates agreed upon by the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) and the Department of Management (DOM) for ELL pupils for fiscal years 2020 through 2024. The increase in additional weightings will apply to the October 2018 student count for FY 2020. Under current law, the State cost per pupil is set at $6,880 for FY 2020 through FY 2024. Individual district cost per pupil may be higher.

Fiscal Impact

The fiscal impact of SF 445 may increase the General Fund appropriation for State aid by $9.9 million in FY 2020, increasing to $12.1 million by FY 2024.

Table 1 — SF 445 Estimated State Aid and Property Taxes for SF 445 — FY 2020 - FY 2024 (In Millions) Fiscal Year State Aid Property Tax State Aid Property Tax State Aid Property Tax FY 2020 29.1$ 3.7$ 39.1$ 4.9$ 9.9$ 1.3$ FY 2021 30.6 3.9 41.0 5.2 10.4 1.3 FY 2022 32.1 4.0 43.1 5.4 11.0 1.4 FY 2023 33.7 4.2 45.2 5.7 11.5 1.4 FY 2024 35.4 4.5 47.5 6.0 12.1 1.5 Totals may not add due to rounding.

Current Law SF 445 Increases

Sources

• Department of Education
• Department of Management — School Aid and Levy File
• LSA analysis and calculations