Notable Quotable
“The COVID-19 pandemic’s negative impacts on the economy and tax revenues are going to cause major shortfalls in school district and state budgets, which will make it increasingly crucial for Arizona to pivot toward a more equitable and flexible school funding system that better utilizes every education dollar.” — Christian Barnard, Reason Foundation
School Finance In the News
Economic Pain of COVID-19 Increases Need for School Finance Reform in Arizona
Lawmakers need to embrace school finance reforms that boost equity and flexibility.
Vermont’s School Funding Model Promotes Equity Across School Districts
Vermont abolished the education portion of local property taxes entirely, opting for a statewide property tax to fund schools more evenly.
Federal Policymakers Must Consider How Dollars Are Allocated
Three principles to guide education and stimulus spending during the coronavirus pandemic.
Research and Resources Spotlight
Schools and States Need a More Accurate Measure of Student Poverty
National School Lunch Program eligibility counts suffer from key flaws.
Best Practices For Identifying Student Poverty
Direct certification comes with its own share of challenges, but it also offers a more accurate method of identifying student disadvantage than eligibility for the National School Lunch Program.
Examining How States and School Districts Allocate Funding for Poverty Concentration
Funding based on poverty concentration within a school district, rather than an individual student’s economic disadvantages, has trade-offs that must be considered by policymakers.