House Bill 1020 from Representative Andrew Collins would repeal the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program and replace it with two new initiatives:
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Additional Education Funding for Special Education Students: This would create a new funding category specifically for students who receive special education services and require individualized education plans. The funding would be distributed based on rules set by the State Board of Education.
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Community Schools Act Fund: This would establish a fund to support the implementation of the Community Schools Act, which likely focuses on providing comprehensive services and support to students in public schools.
In essence, this bill shifts the focus from a program that provides funding for students to attend private schools towards increasing funding and support for students within the public school system, particularly those with special needs and those attending schools identified as needing additional support.
The bill also includes provisions to:
- Repeal existing laws related to the Children's Educational Freedom Account Program.
- Amend existing laws to prohibit the use of state and federal funding for placing foster children in nonpublic schools, except for those receiving funds through the repealed program.
- Clarify that the Department of Education is not liable for any issues arising from the award or use of accounts under the repealed program.
A few more specifics:
Dollar Figures:
- Special Education Funding: The bill proposes a new funding category for special education students, providing $3,862 per student annually. This funding is in addition to the existing foundation funding, and will be distributed according to rules determined by the State Board of Education.
- Community Schools Act Fund: The bill doesn't specify an exact funding amount for this initiative. It states that the fund will consist of "general revenues authorized by law" and money from "private or public grants, gifts, interagency transfers, or donations." This suggests a flexible funding mechanism relying on a combination of sources.
- Repealed Program: The bill repeals the Arkansas Children's Educational Freedom Account Program. This program currently allocates 90% of the prior year's statewide foundation funding per student to participating students' accounts, which can be used for private school tuition and other qualifying expenses. The exact amount varies each year, but for the 2023-2024 school year, it was estimated to be around $6,600 per student.
Comparison to Current Special Education Funding:
Currently, Arkansas doesn't have a separate funding category specifically for special education. Special education costs are covered through a combination of:
- Foundation Funding: This is the basic per-student funding that all schools receive.
- Categorical Funding: This is additional funding provided for specific purposes, such as special education, transportation, and gifted and talented programs.
- Federal Funding: Arkansas receives federal funding for special education through the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).
It's difficult to make a direct comparison between the proposed $3,862 per student and current funding levels, as special education costs vary widely depending on the individual needs of students. However, this new funding category represents a significant increase in dedicated resources for special education.
Key Takeaways:
- The bill provides a substantial increase in funding for special education.
- The funding mechanism for the Community Schools Act Fund relies on diverse sources.
- By repealing the Children's Educational Freedom Account Program, the bill redirects funding away from private school choice towards public school initiatives.
It's important to note that the actual impact of these changes will depend on how the State Board of Education implements the new funding category and how much funding is ultimately allocated to the Community Schools Act Fund.
