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ARIZONA STATE SENATE
Fifty-Fourth Legislature, First Regular Session
technical correction; collection agencies;
qualifications
(NOW: study committee; special education; gifted)
Purpose
Establishes the Special Education Weights and Funding for Gifted Pupils Study Committee (Study Committee).
Background
Under the school finance formula, a school's student count is weighted based on students' classification into funding categories (A.R.S. § 15-943). Statute outlines special education funding weights as follows:
|
Funding Category |
Weight |
Program Type |
|
HI |
4.771 |
hearing impairments |
|
MD-R, A-R, SID-R |
6.024 |
multiple disabilities, autism, severe intellectual disability (resource) |
|
MD-SC, A-SC, SID-SC |
5.833 |
multiple disabilities, autism, severe intellectual disability (self-contained) |
|
MD-SSI |
7.947 |
multiple disabilities with severe sensory impairment |
|
OI-R |
3.158 |
orthopedic impairments (resource) |
|
OI-SC |
6.773 |
orthopedic impairments (self-contained) |
|
P-SD |
3.595 |
preschool severe delay |
|
DD, ED, MIID, SLD, SLI, OHI |
0.003 |
developmental delays, emotional disabilities, mild intellectual disabilities, specific learning disability, speech/language impairments, other health impairments |
|
ED-P |
4.822 |
emotional disabilities (private special education or intensive school district) |
|
MOID |
4.421 |
moderate intellectual disabilities |
|
VI |
4.806 |
visual impairments |
Statute requires school district governing boards to educationally provide for gifted pupils by modifying courses of study and adapting teaching methods, materials and techniques. The school finance formula does not provide for gifted pupil funding. Statute allows school districts to apply for gifted program additional assistance from ADE that is equal to the greater of $75 per pupil for four percent of district students or $2,000 (A.R.S. §§ 15-779.01 and 15-779.03).
There is no anticipated fiscal impact to the state General Fund associated with this legislation.
Provisions
1. Establishes the Study Committee consisting of five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives (Speaker).
2. Requires three Study Committee members to be of the majority party and two Study Committee members to be of the minority party and requires the Speaker to designate one Study Committee member to serve as the chairperson.
3. Requires the Study Committee to examine and make recommendations on special education weights and funding for gifted pupils.
4. Requires the Study Committee to meet as often as the members deem necessary.
5. Requires the House of Representatives to provide staff assistance to the Study Committee as directed by the Speaker.
6. Requires, by January 1, 2020, the Study Committee to report its findings and recommendations to the Speaker and provide a copy of the report to the Secretary of State.
7. Repeals the Study Committee on January 16, 2020.
8. Becomes effective on the general effective date.
House Action
APPROP 2/25/19 DPA/SE 11-0-0-0
3rd Read 2/28/19 60-0-0
Prepared by Senate Research
March 22, 2019
JO/LB/gs