§15675. Specialized student populations; additional weights
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For the purpose of calculating the total operating allocation under this chapter pursuant to section 15683 , the following additional weights must be added to the per-pupil count calculated under section 15674, subsection 1, paragraph C or D , whichever is applicable. [PL 2021, c. 428, §5 (AMD).]
1. English learners. The additional weights for school administrative units with English learners are as follows:
A. For a school administrative unit with 15 or fewer English learners, the unit receives an additional weight of .70 per student; [PL 2019, c. 398, §32 (AMD).]
B. For a school administrative unit with more than 15 and fewer than 251 English learners, the unit receives an additional weight of .50 per student; and [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §49 (COR).]
C. For a school administrative unit with 251 or more English learners, the unit receives an additional weight of .525 per student. [RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §50 (COR).]
D. [PL 2005, c. 519, Pt. AAAA, §5 (AMD); MRSA T. 20-A §15675, sub-§1, ¶D (RP).]
Eligibility for state funds under this subsection is limited to school administrative units that are providing services to English learners through programs approved by the department.
[RR 2021, c. 2, Pt. A, §§49, 50 (COR).]
2. Economically disadvantaged students. For each economically disadvantaged student, an eligible school administrative unit receives the following additional weights:
A. An additional weight of .15. The number of economically disadvantaged students for each school administrative unit is determined by multiplying the number of resident pupils in the most recent calendar year by the most recent available elementary free or reduced-price meals percentage. The elementary free or reduced-price meals percentage may be applied to determine the number of economically disadvantaged students in the unit's secondary grades; and [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §30 (NEW).]
A-1. [PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. C, §2 (NEW); MRSA T. 20-A §15675, sub-§2, ¶A-1 (RP).]
B. An additional weight for approved extended learning programs that specifically benefit economically disadvantaged students equal to .05. The commissioner shall approve qualifying extended learning programs based on evidence-based research by a statewide education policy research institute.
To be eligible to receive funds under this paragraph, a school administrative unit must certify that any funds previously received under this section and any funds that will be received are used in direct support of learning for economically disadvantaged students through summer schools, extended learning programs, tutoring and other evidence-based practices conforming to rules developed by the department and informed by evidence from a statewide education policy research institute. [PL 2017, c. 284, Pt. C, §30 (NEW).]
[PL 2021, c. 635, Pt. C, §2 (AMD).]
3. Public preschool program to grade 2 students. If a school administrative unit is eligible to receive targeted funds for its public preschool to grade 2 program under section 15681 , then for each public preschool program to grade 2 student the unit receives an additional weight of .10.
A. For purposes of the additional weight under this subsection, the count of public preschool program to grade 2 students is calculated based on the number of resident pupils in the most recent calendar year. Beginning with funding for the 2015-2016 school year, the pupil count for students 4 years of age and students 5 years of age attending public preschool programs must be based on the most recent October 1st count prior to the allocation year. [PL 2013, c. 581, §8 (AMD).]
B. Only school administrative units with public preschool to grade 2 programs approved by the department are eligible for funds pursuant to this subsection or other comparable index. [PL 2007, c. 141, §15 (AMD).]
C. Funds provided pursuant to this subsection may be expended only on behalf of public preschool program to grade 2 students. [PL 2007, c. 141, §15 (AMD).]
[PL 2013, c. 581, §8 (AMD).]