Notable Quotable
“Another way to knock down the perverse incentives that restrict choice for disadvantaged students is to reduce the school system’s reliance on local tax revenues. Local dollars usually don’t follow students across district lines, making it so that many districts—especially property-wealthy ones that don’t receive as much state funding—have little incentive to accept outsiders.” — Christian Barnard, Reason Foundation
Student Based Budgeting in the News
Not All Students Are Welcome in Some Texas Public School Districts
Lovejoy ISD charges families $14,000 per student, putting low-income students at a substantial disadvantage.
Weighted-Student Funding Pilot Could Have a Big Impact
Education Secretary Betsy DeVos’ $50 million budget proposal would be a one-time incentive for districts to make the switch, which could ultimately lead to insights that help slash onerous federal regulations.
Engaging School Leaders With School Finance
Principals tend to know what is best for their students, but rarely have the authority and training needed to make budgetary decisions.
Fixing Title I Isn’t Good Enough
As policymakers have pursued a form of equity that tries to compensate for an ever-growing tent of variables, they have forgotten the most important thing: student-level equity.
California School Districts Need to Do More to Ensure Fairness, Productivity
The state’s Local Control Funding Formula overhauled how the state’s K-12 school finance system sends dollars to districts, but it doesn’t do enough to ensure that money follows students to their schools.
Research and Resources Spotlight
Deal or No Deal? The Effects of Deregulation on Public School Leaders’ Support for Private School Choice in California
Is it possible that private school choice would have a better chance of passing if enacted alongside additional benefits for public school leaders? Unlikely, according to a new study by Corey A. DeAngelis and Lindsey M. Burke.
Data Quality Campaign: Spending Transparency Helps With Decisions, Results
When school-level financial data is presented along with student outcomes data, leaders can make better decisions.