Senate Sponsors: WELCH. Short description: SCH AID-CONSTRUCTN-READG GRANT Synopsis of Bill as introduced: Amends the School Code. In the State aid formula applicable to the 1998-99 and subsequent school years, revises provisions under which general State aid grants are to be paid to school districts based on their low-income concentration level. Provides that the low-income concentration level is to be based upon the number of pupils eligible to receive free or reduced-price lunches or breakfasts under federal law (rather than upon the low-income eligible pupil count from the most recently available federal census), divided by average daily attendance. Deletes language requiring that if the aggregate amount of any hold-harmless payments that school districts are to receive in any school year, as computed under the applicable formula for that school year, is greater than the aggregate amount appropriated for that purpose, the hold-harmless payments that school districts receive for that school year are to be prorated accordingly. Permits school districts participating in the Reading Improvement Block Grant Program to use assessment methods other than the reading portion of the IGAP tests to measure student reading skills. In the provisions relating to administrative expenditure limitations applicable to school districts other than the Chicago school district, revises the definition of administrative expenditures. Amends the School Construction Law. Eliminates the requirement that a school district meet certain minimum enrollment standards in order to be eligible to receive a school construction project grant. Also amends the General State Aid Continuing Appropriation Law. Changes the Law's short title and includes hold-harmless payments required to be made to school districts under the State aid formula within the ambit of that Law's application. Effective immediately, except the amendments of the School Code take effect July 1, 1998. Last action on Bill: SESSION SINE DIE Last action date: 99-01-12 Location: Senate Amendments to Bill: AMENDMENTS ADOPTED: HOUSE - 0 SENATE - 0 END OF INQUIRY Full Text Bill Status