Question
: We are calling in students who are English Learners and conducting language arts assessments (CELDT) on them from July 1-11. The question is, can we log these student hours in for state hourly reimbursement as they all qualify under low STAR scores and failure of CAHSSE. They are not part of our regular summer program but wondered if we could put them in during the day they are here. Each group is called in daily. It is a different group each day and they are here for 5 hours. They review testing strategies and then take a test.Response: As you know, the district does receive an apportionment for students taking the CELDT test. The amount of funding that is apportioned to the school district is for the cost of administering the test. The amount is established by the State Board of Education to enable school districts to meet the requirements of administering the test to pupils in kindergarten to grade 12, inclusive, in the school district. The number of tests administered shall be determined by the certification of the school district superintendent pursuant to Section 11517. (NOTE: Authority cited: Sections 33031 and 60810, Education Code. Reference: Sections 313 and 60810, Education Code.)
As to state hourly reimbursement, there are various supplemental instructional programs available for students that may be offered before or after the regular school day, on Saturdays, during intercessions, or during summer sessions.
They include:
California High School Exit Examination Remedial, Grades Seven through Twelve: Funding is for attendance in supplemental instructional programs for pupils enrolled in grades seven through twelve who did not demonstrate sufficient progress toward passing the high school exit examination (EC Section 37252). Funding available at the 2007-08 P-1 Apportionment was sufficient to fully fund the program. Additional funding of $51.061 million was authorized by SB 80 (deferred to fiscal year 2008-09) to be expended consistent with the requirements specified in the Budget Act of 2007; this appropriation will be included in the funding calculations at the 2007-08 P-2 Apportionment.
Districts for which the October 2006 enrollment was less than 500 hours ("small districts") and that offered between 1,500 to 2,136 hours of supplemental instruction were funded at $8,715. Small districts that offered less than 1,500 hours had their funding reduced proportionately, at a funding rate of $5.81 per hour; those that offered more than 2,136 hours were funded at the $4.08 hourly rate.
The Budget Act of 2007 appropriated $79.348 million for this program. Statewide claims totaled $93.542 million, resulting in a proration factor of 0.8921884409. Additional funding of $22.036 million was authorized by SB 80 (deferred to fiscal year 2008-09) to be expended consistent with the requirements specified in the Budget Act of 2007; this appropriation will be included in the funding calculations at the 2007-08 P-2 Apportionment.
Taking the CELDT test is different than offering supplemental instructional programs. Since your question states that the students in question are not part of the "regular summer school program", we do not feel they are applicable for supplemental funding unless they are actually enrolled in the regular program during this summer. If a student is enrolled in supplemental instruction this summer, and that same student is also taking the CELDT, it would be appropriate for the district to receive funding for both programs. It’s wonderful that your district is offering testing strategies to the students taking the exam, but this is not the same as being enrolled in supplemental instruction programs.
7/12/08
