Economically Disadvantaged Student Count: Who, What, Where, When, and How for FY23

By Kathy Dunn, CCOSA Director of Professional Learning, State and Federal Programs

Coming through the COVID-19 pandemic has kept Oklahoma schools chasing new rules each year regarding Economically Disadvantaged student counts which ultimately impact funding for Child Nutrition, Title I, the State Aid factor, and E-Rate. It is our goal to maximize our knowledge so we can maximize the funding and benefits that our students qualify to receive.

WHO qualifies for the Economically Disadvantaged status in the State Aid formula?

Students whose annual household income is no greater than the limits on the chart at the right are counted as Economically Disadvantaged as marked in the school’s Student Information System. This household income level is equal to the “free AND reduced” rates in the Child Nutrition program in FY23.

WHAT verification of a student’s Economically Disadvantaged status for State Aid is approved to be on file?

These four ways are approved for a student to be identified as Economically Disadvantaged:

1. the Economically Disadvantaged form, primarily used by CEP schools; OR

2. the Child Nutrition Free and Reduced Lunch applications from the current year; OR

3. direct certification through the Department of Human Services:

■ Foster care students under the legal responsibility of a foster care agency or the court system

■ Children ages 3-20, who are receiving SNAP/ TANF benefits

■ Children participating in the school’s Federal Funded Head Start program; OR

4. direct certification through your school district’s Homeless Liaison for Homeless and unaccompanied youth

WHO qualifies for “Free and Reduced” meal prices in FY23?

None of the previous pandemic waivers for students to receive free meals in school Child Nutrition programs were extended by Congress for the FY23 school year; therefore, school meal prices will return to the three categories – free, reduced, and full-pay – for the FY23 school year. Free and Reduced Application forms are critically important for students’ access to meals.

WHERE can the Economically Disadvantaged and Child Nutrition forms be found?

The FY23 forms are found here:

■ For the Economically Disadvantaged forms and more information, visit https://sde.ok.gov/economically-disadvantaged. If you have issues with your data, make sure you contact the Office of Data and Information Systems at the State Department of Education at StudentDataInfo@ sde.ok.gov or (405) 521-3020.

■ For the Free and Reduced Meal Application forms and more information, visit https://cnp.sde.ok.gov/oknslp/PrintDocuments.aspx.

WHEN should the forms be filled out for the FY23 school year?

Child Nutrition Form in Non-CEP Schools: Parents should be encouraged to complete the household income forms as soon as possible. For new students the Child Nutrition form is critically important to receive the free and reduced priced meals in Non-CEP schools. Federal Child Nutrition law allows a 30-day period during which a student may continue to have free and reduced meal prices based on a Child Nutrition form from the previous school year. After the 30th day, all students must have a current year form in order to receive the free and reduced-price meals.

The Low-Income Report is a required report of the cumulative total of all students who qualify for free or reduced-price meals using the data collected from Child Nutrition forms during the entire month of October. The Low-Income Report is the document used for determining E-Rate for all schools. In addition, the Low-Income Report determines the Title I allocation for all schools except Community Eligibility Provision (CEP) schools and schools with over 20,000 in community population.

HOW do schools develop action steps for collecting the correct forms to maximize their school funding for economically disadvantaged students?

CEP school sites:

■ Collect as many Economically Disadvantaged forms as possibleNon-CEP school sites:

■ Collect as many Child Nutrition Free and Reduced Lunch Forms as possible to maximize your funding for Title I and to establish eligibility for free and reduced meals

■ Collect Economically Disadvantaged forms for any students who will not complete the Child Nutrition Free and Reduced Lunch Form to maximize your funding in State Aid and E-Rate

HOW can districts plan the collection of forms for maximum impact on funding?

One district’s strategy to maximize funding is to collect the Economically Disadvantaged Form from all students in the district’s enrollment packet. If the form indicates students would qualify for free or reduced meal prices, the district then makes sure a Child Nutrition form is on file in order to receive the other benefits that are associated with the Child Nutrition form.

Another successful strategy is to rename the Economically Disadvantaged Form for its inclusion in the enrollment packets. Districts have changed the title of the form to Household Income Form, and it is accompanied by an explanation that the data is used to apply for grants and other funding streams that rely on students’ household income data.

WHO could a district call for more information about Student Counts?

Kathy Dunn, CCOSA Director of Professional Learning, State and Federal Programs

dunn@ccosa.org

405-615-0844