The state Assembly on Thursday voted 47-30 to reject proposed changes to the state school funding formula, sending them back to the state Education Commissioner for revisions.
The state Senate approved a similar resolution on Feb. 7 by 22-15.
Education commissioner Chris Cerf cq must respond to the resolution either before the governor presents the proposed FY2014 state budget, or within 30 days, whichever comes first.
Cerf submitted an Education Adequacy Report to the Legislation on Dec. 14. The Legislature had 90 days to reject the recommendations, or they automatically took effect.
The resolutions opposed reducing aid provided for at-risk students and those who speak limited English, saying there was no research-based reason for the reduction. Reducing those funds would disproportionately affect low-income and urban school districts.
The report also changed the funding formula for special education placements, which the resolution said seemed motivated more by a desire to save the state money than help districts cover the cost of expensive out-of-district placements for disabled students.
