§ 16-5-31 - Educational improvement block grant. - Rhode Island Statutes

SECTION 16-5-31

   § 16-5-31  Educational improvement blockgrant. – (a) There is created an educational improvement block grant.

   (b) The dollar equivalents resulting from the difference inthe statewide local tax rate as defined in § 16-7-19(a) and (b), and asdivided in § 16-7-19(c), may be expended for any of the purposes set forthbelow:

   (1) Providing preschool programs, of at least one-half ( 1/2)day's duration, for four (4) year old children who are at risk of schoolfailure;

   (2) Providing parent education programs including theprovision of resource materials on home learning activities, private and groupeducational guidance, individual and group learning experiences for the parentand child, and other activities that enable the parent to improve learning inthe home;

   (3) Reducing class size with the ultimate goal of an averagepupil eacher ratio of 15-1 in grades pre-kindergarten through three (3);and

   (4) Providing full day kindergarten programs with firstpriority given to children who are at risk of school failure.

   (c) Education improvement block grant funds shall beallocated to every community in the proportion to which each community's sharebears to the total state share as computed under § 16-7-19(a) and asfurther adjusted by minimum share and regional school district provisions asprovided for in § 16-7-20. In order to be eligible to obtain fundsprovided in this section a school district must submit, for the commissioner'sapproval, an application which clearly and specifically describes how the fundswill be used for the purposes intended.

   (d) The commissioner of elementary and secondary educationshall establish and promulgate regulations for the purpose of carrying out theintent of this section. Funds granted under this section shall not be used bydistricts to supplant local funds. School districts may carry over to the nextfiscal year a maximum of fifteen percent (15%) of their allocation.