Washington State House of Representatives Office of Program Research | BILL ANALYSIS |
Education Committee |
HB 1384
This analysis was prepared by non-partisan legislative staff for the use of legislative members in their deliberations. This analysis is not a part of the legislation nor does it constitute a statement of legislative intent. |
Brief Description: Reducing the high poverty learning assistance program threshold to the state average percentage for free or reduced-price meals student eligibility.
Sponsors: Representatives Jenkin, Kilduff, Steele, Ortiz-Self, Callan, Rude, Stonier, Santos, Bergquist, Thai, Valdez, Kloba, Doglio, Frame and Leavitt.
Brief Summary of Bill |
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Hearing Date: 1/28/19
Staff: Megan Wargacki (786-7194).
Background:
In order to assist students who are not meeting academic standards and reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom, the Learning Assistance Program (LAP) is designed to: (1) promote the use of data when developing programs; and (2) guide school districts in providing the most effective and efficient practices when implementing supplemental instruction and services.
The state provides two types of funding allocations for the LAP. First, based on the percentage of students enrolled in the school district who are eligible for free or reduced-price meals (FRPM) in the prior school year, the state allocates funding to provide, on a statewide average, 2.3975 hours per week in extra instruction in a class size of 15 students. Districts must spend this allocation for the LAP, but they may use the funding to provide LAP services for any qualifying student. Second, under the high poverty-based LAP allocation, schools with at least 50 percent of students eligible for FRPM generate an additional state allocation to fund, on a statewide average, 1.1 hours per week in extra instruction in a class size of 15 students. Districts must spend the high poverty-based allocation only for LAP services in those schools whose FRPM rates generated the additional funding.
Summary of Bill:
The threshold by which schools qualify to receive the high poverty-based LAP allocation is changed, so that a school qualifies when its total annual average enrollment that qualifies for FRPM equals or exceeds the state's total annual average enrollment that qualifies for FRPM.
Appropriation: None.
Fiscal Note: Available.
Effective Date: The bill takes effect 90 days after adjournment of the session in which the bill is passed.