Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that sets the cost of an "adequate education" at $3,450 per pupil plus up to an additional $3,450 per pupil for free or reduced meal programs, $675 per pupil for teaching English language, and $1,866 per pupil for special education.

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that amends the state's education funding formulas, establishes a universal $3,450 per-pupil spending level, and provides for additional per-pupil spending based on the level of low-income students, special education students, and English language learners.

Highlights:

- Increases the per-pupil spending level based upon the percentage of students that are eligible for the federal free or reduced-price meal program. The funding will be dispersed as follows (Sec. 5):

- An additional $863 per pupil in which at least 12 percent qualify for the program; - An additional $1,725 per pupil in which at least 24 percent qualify for the program; - An additional $2,588 per pupil in which at least 36 percent qualify for the program; and - An additional $3,450 per pupil in which at least 48 percent qualify for the program.

- Increases the per-pupil spending level by $675 for each pupil who is an English language learner and is receiving English language instructions (Sec. 5). - Increases the per-pupil spending level by $3,610 for each pupil receiving special education services in a self-contained program, and $1,789 for each pupil receiving special education services in any setting other than a self-contained program (Sec. 5). - Distributes additional funding according to a municipality's equalized valuation per pupil amount (total market value of all taxable property within a municipality divided by the school districts average daily membership in residence) and the median family income. The funding will be dispersed as follows (Sec. 7):

- An additional $2,000 per-pupil for a municipality whose equalized valuation per-pupil amount is in the lower half of the lowest quartile and has a median family income that is less than the state's average. - An additional $1,250 per-pupil for a municipality whose equalized valuation per-pupil amount is in the upper half of the lowest quartile and has a median family income that is less than the state's average.

- Distributes additional transitional education aid to municipalities whose estimated fiscal year 2010 adequate education grant is 85 percent or less than its fiscal year 2009 adequate education grant. The funding will be dispersed according to the municipality's median family income compared to the state's average (Sec. 8).

Full Bill Text