High‑density at‑risk weighting applies to 222 Kansas districts; task force reviews models that shift up to $775 million

Kansas Legislative Reviser's Office staff and research analysts reviewed the state’s high‑density at‑risk student weighting and presented alternative models that would change how the state distributes at‑risk funds.

Jason Long (reviser's office) told the Special Education and Related Services Funding Task Force the high‑density weighting is codified alongside the standard at‑risk weighting and is calculated in tiers depending on the percentage of a district’s enrollment that is eligible for free lunch under the National School Lunch Act. He summarized the current statutory structure and a set of alternative models presented by research staff.

How the weighting works now

- Two‑tier percentage approach: For districts with 35%–50% of students qualifying for free lunch, the statute multiplies the difference above 35% by 0.7 to derive a weighting. For districts with 50% or more, statute provides a flat weighting factor (0.105).

- District vs. building calculation: Districts can qualify on a district‑wide basis or, for a limited period, calculate weightings for…