This bill focuses on providing additional support and flexibility to Alternative Education Campuses (AECs), which are schools designed to serve high-risk students who may not succeed in traditional educational settings. The bill aims to enhance the operational and financial stability of AECs. Here are the key provisions:
Key Provisions:
Priority Points for State Education Grants:
When administering state education grants, the Department of Education (department) is directed to give priority points to AECs. This is likely to help AECs secure more funding or resources for their programs.
Inclusion of Certain High-Risk Students in Pupil Count:
AECs are authorized to include certain high-risk students, who are 21 years old or younger, in their pupil count during the budget year. This allows AECs to account for students who are at risk of falling behind or who need a different educational environment to succeed.
Required Report on AEC Enrollment:
The Department of Education is required to prepare and post a report that includes:
Enrollment trends in AECs.
Student demographics.
Student mobility (how frequently students move in or out of the AECs).
This report aims to provide insights into the student population and can be used for making future educational policy decisions.
Exemption from Losing AEC Designation Due to Enrollment Fluctuations:
AECs will be exempt from losing their designation (as an AEC) for one school year due to fluctuations in enrollment. This gives AECs some flexibility in managing student enrollment without the fear of losing their status or funding if their student numbers temporarily drop.
Purpose:
This bill supports the unique needs of AECs by providing additional funding opportunities, flexibility in student enrollment counts, and protection from designation loss due to enrollment changes. These changes aim to improve the resources and stability of AECs, which play a critical role in serving students who need alternative pathways to education.
Summary
For alternative education campuses (AECs), the bill: •
Directs the department of education (department) when administering state education grants to allocate priority points to AECs;
•
Authorizes AECs to include certain high-risk students in the AEC's pupil count who are 21 years of age or younger during the budget year;
•
Requires the department to prepare and post a report on enrollment trends, student demographics, and student mobility in AECs; and
•
Exempts an AEC from losing its designation due to a fluctuation in enrollment for one school year.
