HB 4445 Summary

• Appropriates $10,967,333,600 from the state school aid fund and $118,642,400 from the general fund for public schools and education-related purposes for fiscal year 2011-2012.

• Establishes distressed district student transition grants of $4,000 per qualifying pupil for districts enrolling students from financially distressed districts, with total allocation not to exceed $4,000,000.

• Creates the Center for Educational Performance and Information to coordinate data collection from schools and maintain a statewide longitudinal data system tracking students from preschool through workforce entry.

• Allocates $12,500,000 for kindergarten entry status assessment implementation and early childhood quality rating improvements, including professional development and assessment tool licensing.

• Modifies special education funding allocations, pupil membership counting rules, and establishes a school aid stabilization fund to address budget shortfalls, with provisions for fund transfers and investment earnings.