BILL ANALYSIS �
AB 1892
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Date of Hearing: May 14, 2014
ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON APPROPRIATIONS
Mike Gatto, Chair
AB 1892 (Bocanegra) - As Amended: March 17, 2014
Policy Committee: EducationVote:7-0
Urgency: No State Mandated Local Program:
Yes Reimbursable: Yes
SUMMARY
This bill adds pupils redesignated as fluent English proficient
to the list of "unduplicated pupils" for purposes of the Local
Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and makes related changes.
Specifically, this bill:
1)Adds redesignated English learners (ELs) to English learners,
low income pupils, and foster youth for purposes of generating
supplemental grant and concentration factor funding under LCFF
for school districts, county offices of education, and charter
schools.
2)Provides that redesignated ELs shall generate supplemental
grant and concentration factor funding for two consecutive
years after the pupil has been redesignated as a fluent
English learner.
3)Provides that redesignated ELs who fall into more than one
unduplicated pupil category shall count only once for funding
purposes.
4)Requires that, as a condition of receiving supplemental and
concentration grant funds, school districts and county offices
of education shall identify any specialized programs or
services provided to pupils redesignated as fluent English
proficient in order for them to maintain proficiency in
English and access the common core academic content standards
and a broad course of study, as specified.
FISCAL EFFECT
Ongoing General Fund/Proposition 98 costs of approximately $70
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million to $100 million. According to 2012-13 data, there are
1.35 million English learners in California. Many of these
students are also low income and would continue to qualify for
supplemental and concentration grant funding regardless of
redesignation. It is estimated about three-fourths of ELs are
low income. Therefore, 337,500 students are not low income and
would potentially qualify for additional funding under this
bill. Applying the most recent percentage of redesignation
(12.2%), just over 40,000 students could potentially qualify for
additional funding.
COMMENTS :
1)Purpose . This bill allows local education agencies (LEAs) to
continue receiving supplemental and concentration grant
funding under the Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) for two
additional fiscal years after an English learner (EL) has been
reclassified as Fluent English proficient (RFEP). According to
the author, the bill highlights the importance of
reclassifying EL pupils into mainstream academic programs
while, at the same time, ensuring they have continued
resources to maintain proficiency.
2)Local Control Funding Formula . In 2013, the state implemented
a new funding formula for schools known as the Local Control
Funding Formula. The new law replaces most previously
existing K-12 funding streams (revenue limit and categorical
programs) with per pupil grade span funding and targeted
funding for low income, English learner and foster youth
students. The formula uses an "unduplicated count," which
means that pupils who fall into more than one category are
counted only once. The formula consists of:
a) A base grant. This provides the same amount of funding
per pupil for all districts, varied by grade span;
b) A supplemental grant. A student who is identified as low
income (LI), an English learner (EL), or in foster care
generates an additional 20 percent of the base rate in
supplemental funding.
c) A concentration factor. Districts whose EL/LI
populations exceed 55 percent of their enrollment receive
an additional 50 percent of their base rate for students
above this threshold.
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3)Redesignation issues. Currently, there is no statewide
standard for redesignating EL pupils, and as a result
districts apply different criteria. The State Board of
Education (SBE) has adopted minimum guidelines, but ultimately
each district sets its own cut scores and redesignation
requirements, including local criteria.
Districts may face disincentives to redesignate ELs as it
could result in loss of instructional services and supports.
Additionally, holding ELs back from redesignation longer than
necessary, may result in reduced access to courses needed for
postsecondary education. Some have suggested that the LCFF
may provide a disincentive redesignate when appropriate and
beneficial, because it would reduce the number of pupils who
qualify the LEA for supplemental grant and concentration
factor funding. This bill seeks to reduce that disincentive.
Analysis Prepared by : Misty Feusahrens / APPR. / (916)
319-2081