Bill > HB558

This bill establishes the Renewing Alabama's Investment in Student Excellence (RAISE) Act, which creates a new funding mechanism for Alabama public schools that allocates additional resources based on specific student characteristics. The act establishes a RAISE Fund in the state treasury that will provide weighted allocations for different student groups, including students in poverty, students with special needs, English Language Learners, charter school students, and gifted students. Local education agencies (LEAs) can receive these additional funds by providing required data, submitting accountability reports, and ensuring funds are used to serve the specific student groups that generated them. The bill mandates the creation of two key oversight bodies: a RAISE Act Review Committee to evaluate the program's progress and make recommendations, and a RAISE Act Accountability and Implementation Board to monitor how funds are spent and ensure they improve student outcomes. Additionally, the bill requires the development of a unified application system by the 2028-2029 school year to streamline funding applications and reporting, and mandates professional learning for education leaders about the RAISE Act. The weighted allocations will be determined annually by the Legislature, with flexibility given to LEAs in spending decisions while targeting the specific needs of identified student groups.