When it comes to ensuring that all students can thrive in the classroom and beyond, money matters. Research shows that increased school spending leads to increased graduation rates, higher wages, and reduced adult poverty. While states have made progress, most state funding systems are inequitable, providing less funding to support rich educational opportunities for students of color, English learners, students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and students from rural areas. The reasons for these disparities are many and complex, and require federal, state, district, and school leaders to design and adopt equitable school funding policies.

We believe that state funding systems need to be fairer by directing significantly more resources to students and communities facing the steepest barriers to learning and opportunity. Below are the five core policy positions that shape our advocacy about what state leaders should do to ensure fair funding for student success.

• Fund Schools Adequately: State school funding systems should provide adequate, or enough, funding for school districts to provide enriching learning environments for all students.
• Fund Schools Equitably: State school funding systems should provide equitable levels of funding to address students’ individual needs including the needs of students who have been historically underserved in public education.
• Make Local Funding Fairer: State leaders should do more to take local property wealth into account and reduce local revenue inequities between districts.
• Fund Schools Transparently: State leaders should clearly explain and share information about how they allocate funds to districts and how districts in turn distribute funds across schools and target the needs of students facing the steepest barriers to learning.
• Keep Public Funds in Public Schools: State leaders should not divert public funds away from public schools through private school voucher programs.

Below are key reports, data tools, and other school funding resources advocates can use to identify inequities and urge policymakers to act.

Reports and Briefs

Funding Gaps 2018

Equal Is Not Good Enough

ACCESS GRANTED – School Funding Between Schools in Districts

Close the Hidden Funding Gaps in Our Schools

Blog Posts

What’s Behind the Teacher Strikes? A Look at Teacher Salaries

District Budget Woes Likely Means School Closures: Here’s What Advocates Need to Know

The Importance of Equitable and Adequate School Funding for English Learners

How Temporary ‘Hold Harmless’ Policies Could Save Schools and Districts

Additional Resources

Alliance for Resource Equity (School Funding)

Southerners for Fair School Funding