Section 388.1641 - English language learners; English language proficiency assessment; allocation of funds; report; audit; review of per-pupil distribution(1) For a district to be eligible to receive funding under this section, the district must administer to English language learners the English language proficiency assessment known as the "WIDA ACCESS for English language learners" or the "WIDA Alternate ACCESS". From the state school aid fund money appropriated in section 11, there is allocated an amount not to exceed $50,186,100.00 for 2024-2025 for payments to eligible districts for services for English language learners who have been administered the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners.(2) The department shall distribute funding allocated under subsection (1) to eligible districts based on the number of full-time equivalent English language learners as follows:(a) $1,863.00 per full-time equivalent English language learner who has been assessed under the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners or the WIDA Alternate ACCESS with a WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS composite score between 1.0 and 1.9, or less, as applicable to each assessment. It is the intent of the legislature to increase this amount until it reaches 75% of the target foundation allowance.(b) $1,286.00 per full-time equivalent English language learner who has been assessed under the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners or the WIDA Alternate ACCESS with a WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS composite score between 2.0 and 2.9, or less, as applicable to each assessment. It is the intent of the legislature to increase this amount until it reaches 50% of the target foundation allowance.(c) $210.00 per full-time equivalent English language learner who has been assessed under the WIDA ACCESS for English language learners or the WIDA Alternate ACCESS with a WIDA ACCESS or WIDA Alternate ACCESS composite score between 3.0 and 3.9, or less, as applicable to each assessment. It is the intent of the legislature to increase this amount until it reaches 35% of the target foundation allowance.(3) If funds allocated under subsection (1) are insufficient to fully fund the payments as prescribed under subsection (2), the department shall prorate payments on an equal percentage basis, with the same percentage proration applied to all funding categories.(4) By October 15 of the fiscal year following the receipt of funding under subsection (1), each district receiving funds under subsection (1) shall submit to the department a report, not to exceed 10 pages, on the usage by the district of funds under subsection (1) in a form and manner determined by the department, including a brief description of each program conducted or services performed by the district using funds under subsection (1) and the amount of funds under subsection (1) allocated to each of those programs or services. If a district does not comply with this subsection, the department shall withhold an amount equal to the December payment due under this section until the district complies with this subsection. If the district does not comply with this subsection by the end of the fiscal year, the withheld funds are forfeited to the state school aid fund.(5) To receive funds under subsection (1), a district must allow access for the department or the department's designee to audit all records related to the program for which it receives those funds. The district shall reimburse this state for all disallowances found in the audit.(6) Beginning July 1, 2020, and every 3 years thereafter, the department shall review the per-pupil distribution under subsection (2), to ensure that funding levels are appropriate and make recommendations for adjustments to the members of the senate and house subcommittees on K to 12 school aid appropriations.(7) By not later than March 1, 2025, the department shall establish English language learner program models that establish a minimum number of minutes per week that districts must provide direct English language development instruction for students according to the student's proficiency levels. These models must be compliant with federal requirements related to English language learner program services. It is the intent of the legislature that, beginning in 2025-2026, to be considered an eligible recipient of funding under this section, a district must agree to meet or exceed the minimum number of minutes per week, as determined by the department, that the district provides direct English language development instruction.Amended by 2024, Act 120,s 66, eff. 10/1/2024.Amended by 2023, Act 320,s 9, eff. 2/13/2024.Amended by 2023, Act 103,s 93, eff. 10/1/2023.Amended by 2022, Act 144,s 72, eff. 10/1/2022.Amended by 2021, Act 48,s 61, eff. 7/13/2021.Amended by 2020, Act 165,s 51, eff. 10/1/2020.Amended by 2019, Act 58,s 44, eff. 10/1/2019.Amended by 2018, Act 265,s 47, eff. 10/1/2018.Amended by 2017, Act 108,s 49, eff. 10/1/2017.Amended by 2016, Act 249,s 51, eff. 10/1/2016.Amended by 2015, Act 85,s 43, eff. 10/1/2015.Amended by 2014, Act 196,s 45, eff. 6/24/2014.Added by 2013, Act 60,s 40, eff. 10/1/2013.Former section 388.1641 was repealed by 2011, Act 62,s 144, eff. 10/1/2011.