TITLE 16
Education
CHAPTER 16-54
Education of Limited English Proficient Students [See Title 16 Chapter 97
The Rhode Island Board of Education Act]
SECTION 16-54-4
§ 16-54-4 Reimbursement by the state.
(a) Each school district shall be reimbursed for expenditures for direct
services and instructional programs. Reimbursement shall be made when these
services and programs have been carried out in accordance with the requirements
of state law and the board of regents' regulations relating to programs and
services for limited English proficient students.
(b) For each fiscal year the following formula shall be used
to distribute aid for limited English proficient students:
(1) The following formula and definitions are to be used to
determine the entitlement for each school district for students in programs or
services for the limited-English proficient:
Net local cost for Resident full-
limited English time equivalent
proficient students X limited English X Share ratio =
Incentive
(statewide) student's district district entitlement
]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]]
Full-time equivalent
limited English
proficient students
(statewide)
(2) In the formula in subsection (b)(1) the terms have the
following meanings:
(i) "Incentive entitlement" means the sum payable to a local
school district under this formula.
(ii) "Net local cost for limited English proficient programs
statewide" means the total net instructional expenditure in the reference year
defined in § 16-7-16 of local schools for the support of programs, or
service for limited English proficient students, including the funds
distributed pursuant to this chapter, as the sum is determined by the
commissioner of elementary and secondary education. Federal funds shall be
excluded from reimbursement.
(iii) "Full time equivalency students" means that time spent
by students in an approval program or service reimbursable under this chapter
divided by the amount of time in a normal school day.
(iv) "Share ratio" means the effective share ratio as
calculated under § 16-7-20.
(3) No school district shall receive for limited English
proficient students more than one hundred percent (100%) of its expenditures in
the reference year from a combination of state operations aid as calculated in
accordance with §§ 16-7-15 through 16-7-34 and reimbursement aid for
limited English proficient students as calculated in accordance with this
chapter.
(4) Notwithstanding the provisions of chapter 7 of this
title, for each fiscal year not more than five percent (5%) of the funds
appropriated under this chapter should be used for departmental expenditures
for the administration of this chapter.
(5) If the sum appropriated by the state in any fiscal year
for making payments to the cities and towns under this chapter are not
sufficient to pay in full the total amount which all cities and towns are
entitled to receive for the fiscal year, the maximum amount which all cities
and towns are entitled to receive for the fiscal year is to be ratably reduced.
In any given year the appropriation for implementation of this chapter shall
not exceed two million five hundred thousand dollars ($2,500,000).
(6) Reimbursement payments as calculated under this chapter
shall be made according to § 16-7-17. All payments under this chapter
shall be used exclusively to support programs and services for limited English
proficient students.
(7) Expenditure reports shall be submitted by the local
school districts to the commissioner of elementary and secondary education in
accordance with rules and regulations of the board of regents for elementary
and secondary education. The commissioner shall make an annual financial and
program evaluation report to the legislature on the status of state and local
efforts.
History of Section.
(P.L. 1982, ch. 286, § 2; P.L. 1988, ch. 84, § 59; P.L. 2001, ch. 86,
§ 51.)