(a) For any fiscal year in which moneys are appropriated for purposes of this section, the Superintendent shall make the following computations to determine the amount of funding for each school district for the special education early intervention preschool grant:
(1) For each school district, determine the total number of preschool children with exceptional needs residing in that school district using prior year December special education data.
(2) The sum of the totals determined pursuant to paragraph (1) is the total statewide number of preschool children with exceptional needs for the applicable fiscal year.
(3) Calculate a per pupil special education early intervention preschool grant by dividing the amount appropriated in the annual Budget Act for purposes of this section by the total statewide number of preschool children with exceptional needs calculated in paragraph (2).
(4) Calculate the special education early intervention preschool grant for each school district by multiplying the per pupil grant calculated in paragraph (3) by the total number of preschool children with exceptional needs in paragraph (1).
(5) The Superintendent shall allocate the amount of funds calculated for each school district in paragraph (4) to the applicable school district.
(b) It is the intent of the Legislature that funds allocated pursuant to this section are unrestricted in nature.
(c) For purposes of this section, the following definitions shall apply:
(1) “Preschool child with exceptional needs” means a child between three and five years of age, inclusive, who has been identified as an individual with exceptional needs, as defined in Section 56026, and is receiving individualized education program services, except those enrolled in kindergarten or a transitional kindergarten program.
(2) “Transitional kindergarten” means the first year of a two-year kindergarten program that uses a modified kindergarten curriculum that is age and developmentally appropriate.
(Amended by Stats. 2020, Ch. 370, Sec. 87. (SB 1371) Effective January 1, 2021.)