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H. 4263
STATUS INFORMATION
General Bill
Sponsors: Reps. McLeod, Kennedy, Townsend and Sinclair
Document Path: l:\council\bills\pt\2718sj05.doc
Introduced in the House on June 1, 2005
Currently residing in the House Committee on Ways and Means
Summary: Education Finance Act
HISTORY OF LEGISLATIVE ACTIONS
Date Body Action Description with journal page number
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6/1/2005 House Introduced and read first time HJ-57
6/1/2005 House Referred to Committee on Ways and Means HJ-57
View the latest legislative information at the LPITS web site
VERSIONS OF THIS BILL
TO AMEND SECTION 59-20-40, AS AMENDED, CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, RELATING TO THE DETERMINATION OF ANNUAL ALLOCATIONS IN THE EDUCATION FINANCE ACT AND WEIGHTINGS USED TO PROVIDE RELATIVE COST DIFFERENCES BETWEEN PROGRAMS FOR STUDENTS IN DIFFERENT CLASSIFICATIONS, SO AS TO ADD A WEIGHTING FOR STUDENTS CLASSIFIED AS ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE STUDENTS, AND TO PROVIDE A DEFINITION FOR THIS CLASSIFICATION.
Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina:
SECTION 1. Section 59-20-40(1)(c) of the 1976 Code, as last amended by Act 49 of 2005, is further amended to read:
"(c) Weightings, used to provide for relative cost differences, between programs for different students are established in order that funds may be equitably distributed on the basis of pupil needs. The criteria for qualifications for each special classification must be established by the State Board of Education according to definitions established in this article and in accordance with Sections 59-21-510, 59-35-10, 59-53-1860, and 59-53-1900. Cost factors enumerated in this section must be used to fund programs approved by the State Board of Education. Pupil data received by the Department of Education is subject to audit by the department. Cost factors or weightings are as follows:
Pupil Classification Weightings
(1) Kindergarten pupils 1.30
(2) Primary pupils (grades 1 through 3) 1.24
(3) Elementary pupils (grades 4 through 8)
base students 1.00
(4) High school pupils (grades 9 through 12) 1.25
Special Programs for Exceptional Students Weightings
(5) Handicapped 1.74
a. Educable mentally handicapped pupils
b. Learning disabilities pupils
(6) Handicapped 2.04
a. Trainable mentally handicapped pupils
b. Emotionally handicapped pupils
c. Orthopedically handicapped pupils
(7) Handicapped 2.57
a. Visually handicapped pupils
b. Hearing handicapped pupils
c. Pupils with autism
(8) English as a second language pupils 1.54
(8)(9) Speech handicapped pupils 1.90
(9)(10) Homebound pupils 2.10
Career and Technology Technical Programs Weightings
(10)(11) Pre-career and technology 1.20
(11)(12) Career and technology 1.29
Add-on Weights for Early Childhood Weightings
Development and Academic Assistance
(12)(13) Early childhood assistance 0.26
(13)(14) Grades 4-12 academic assistance 0.114
Adult Education
(14)(15) Adult Education 0.15
No local match is required for adult education and the number of weighted pupil units funded depends on funding available from the general fund of the State and the Education Improvement Act of 1984 Fund.
Each student in the State must be counted in only one of the first eleven twelve pupil classifications. Students shall generate funds for early childhood assistance and grades 4-12 academic assistance in accordance with Section 59-139-20. The State Board of Education must determine the qualifications for each classification in accordance with Sections 59-21-510, 59-35-10, 59-53-1860, 59-53-1900, and Chapter 30 of this title. The program for each classification must meet specifications approved by the State Board of Education.
Students may be classified as English as a Second Language students when their primary language in the home is not English, they have difficulty comprehending classroom instructions or directions in English so that learning is hampered in some or all areas of the curriculum, and they have difficulty expressing their academic needs or questions in English.
School districts may count each student who is instructed at home under the provisions of Section 59-65-40 in the district's weighted pupil units at a weighting of .25 for supervising, overseeing, or reviewing the student's program of home instruction. No local match is required for students instructed at home under the provisions of Section 59-65-40."
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2006.
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