SENATE BILL REPORT

SB 6394

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.

As of January 21, 2018

Title: An act relating to the additional poverty-based learning assistance program allocation.

Brief Description: Concerning additional poverty-based learning assistance program allocation.

Sponsors: Senators Walsh, Hunt, Keiser and Saldaña.

Brief History:

Committee Activity: Early Learning & K-12 Education: 1/22/18.

Brief Summary of Bill

Changes the eligibility to receive the Learning Assistance Program's (LAP) high-poverty, school-based allocation from schools with at least 50 percent of students eligible for free and reduced-priced meals (FRPMs), to a four-year, rolling average of the student amount received by the school for all students eligible for FRPMs in the prior four years.

SENATE COMMITTEE ON EARLY LEARNING & K-12 EDUCATION

Staff: Susan Mielke (786-7422)

Background: The LAP provides supplemental instruction and services to assist K-12 students who are not meeting academic standards and to reduce disruptive behaviors in the classroom. The state allocation for LAP is based on the number of K-12 students enrolled in the school district who are eligible for FRPMs in the prior school year, but students do not have to be eligible for FRPMs to be served in the LAP.

In 2017, the Legislature created an additional allocation that is a high-poverty, school-based LAP allocation for schools with at least 50 percent of the enrolled students eligible for FRPMs. School districts must distribute this allocation to the school buildings that generated the allocation. This funding provides a statewide average of 1.1 hours in additional instruction.

Summary of Bill: The requirement for schools to have at least 50 percent of the enrolled students eligible for FRPMs in order to receive the school-based LAP allocation is removed. Instead schools receive an additional LAP allocation based on a four-year rolling average of the per student amount received by the school for all students in the school eligible for FRPM in the prior four years.

Appropriation: None.

Fiscal Note: Requested on January 19, 2018.

Creates Committee/Commission/Task Force that includes Legislative members: No.

Effective Date: Ninety days after adjournment of session in which bill is passed.