The at-risk funds shall be apportioned to provide funds for development of programs that address the needs of at-risk students as defined by the State Board of Education. These programs shall provide the additional services that increase the amount and quality of instructional time with extended learning time opportunities including but not limited to before and after school programs, summer programs, tutoring programs, weekend programs, and alternative schools. A portion of the appropriation may also be used for training parents and teachers to work with at-risk students and to provide services that meet identified critical needs of at-risk students. School systems receiving special grant funds from at-risk or other fund sources for early intervention/special/innovative/pilot learning projects will be required to submit a written proposal for funds before any release of funds occurs and the funded programs will require a year-end summary of activities so that the project can be evaluated by the Department or its agent before or shortly after the end of the first full year of implementation and thereafter, if continued.

1. (1) At-Risk Allotment. For each school the number of free and reduced-price lunch eligible students at the end of the first 20 days of attendance following Labor Day is divided by the first 20 days ADM following Labor Day. The number of students scoring in levels 1 or 2 (not proficient), is divided by the numbered tested for the grades in the school that are included in the State approved assessment testing program. The two quotients computed are averaged and the result is multiplied by the total ADM for the school to identify the number of students for every school. Schools with no grades tested on the State approved assessment are assigned 0 for the number scoring in levels 1 or 2. The total from all schools within a local school system is used to compute the system at-risk allocation. The system at-risk allocation must be used in accordance with the at-risk plan submitted by the local board to the State Superintendent. Funds are restricted for use at schools within a system that were used to generate at-risk funds unless provisions are included in the system at-risk plan and approved by the State Superintendent.

Author: Ed Richardson

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975, §§16-13-50 et seq.; Ala. Acts 95-313 and 95-314.

History: New Rule: Filed September 13, 1996; effective October 18, 1996. Amended: Filed December 17, 1997; effective January 21, 1998. Amended: Filed May 20, 1998; effective June 24, 1998. Amended: Filed November 9, 2006; effective December 14, 2006. Amended: Filed September 14, 2007; effective October 19, 2007. Amended: Filed November 13, 2008; effective December 18, 2008. Amended: Filed October 9, 2015; effective November 13, 2015. Amended: Published November 29, 2019; effective January 13, 2020.