Effective 8/31/2020
53F-2-302. Determination of weighted pupil units.
The number of weighted pupil units in the Minimum School Program for each year is the total of the units for each school district and, subject to Subsection (4), charter school, determined as follows:
53F-2-302. Determination of weighted pupil units.
The number of weighted pupil units in the Minimum School Program for each year is the total of the units for each school district and, subject to Subsection (4), charter school, determined as follows:
- (1) The number of units is computed by adding the average daily membership of all pupils of the school district or charter school attending schools, other than kindergarten and self-contained classes for children with a disability.
- (2) The number of units is computed by adding the average daily membership of all pupils of the school district or charter school enrolled in kindergarten and multiplying the total by .55.
- (a) In those school districts or charter schools that do not hold kindergarten for a full nine-month term, the local school board or charter school governing board may approve a shorter term of nine weeks’ duration.
- (b) Upon LEA governing board approval, the number of pupils in average daily membership at the short-term kindergarten shall be counted for the purpose of determining the number of units allowed in the same ratio as the number of days the short-term kindergarten is held, not exceeding nine weeks, compared to the total number of days schools are held in that school district or charter school in the regular school year.
- (3)
- (a) The state board shall use prior year plus growth to determine average daily membership in distributing money under the Minimum School Program where the distribution is based on kindergarten through grade 12 ADMs or weighted pupil units.
- (b) Under prior year plus growth, kindergarten through grade 12 average daily membership for the current year is based on the actual kindergarten through grade 12 average daily membership for the previous year plus an estimated percentage growth factor.
- (c) The growth factor is the percentage increase in total average daily membership on the first school day of October in the current year as compared to the total average daily membership on the first school day of October of the previous year.
- (4) In distributing funds to charter schools under this section, charter school pupils shall be weighted, where applicable, as follows:
- (a) .55 for kindergarten pupils;
- (b) .9 for pupils in grades 1 through 6;
- (c) .99 for pupils in grades 7 through 8; and
- (d) 1.2 for pupils in grades 9 through 12.
- (5) Notwithstanding Subsection (3)(c):
- (a) for the 2020-2021 school year the state board may use a count of average daily membership on any day or days of the current school year in 2020 to calculate a growth factor for the 2020-2021 school year; and
- (b) when calculating the growth factor as described in Subsection (5)(a), the state board shall comply with all applicable federal requirements.
Amended by Chapter 9, 2020 Special Session 6