Relating to special education weighting for children enrolled in accredited nonpublic schools

Each child with special needs is given an enhanced weight when calculating the state school foundation aid due to a school district for the school year. The weighting increases based on the level of care the child requires. A portion of the foundation aid is paid to each area education agency (AEA) in an amount proportionate to the number of children with special needs enrolled in school districts within the AEA’s service boundaries. Children enrolled in a nonpublic school are not included in this calculation. This bill allows the parents and guardians of children who attend an accredited nonpublic school to have their child examined in accordance with the requirements set by the division of special education. The bill requires the state board of education to adopt administrative rules to implement such requirements. The bill modifies the calculation of state school foundation aid to include children enrolled in an accredited nonpublic school and who have been examined in accordance with the requirements set by the division of special education. Additional weighting will be assigned to a child based on the level of care the child requires.