Equitable Funding

Learn more about efforts to manage school funding to ensure fair allocations of resources
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Education Funding Opinion Book Bans? My School Doesn’t Even Have a Library
Underfunding schools is its own censorship, writes one Philadelphia public school teacher. After all, they can’t ban books we don’t have.
Lydia Kulina-Washburn, July 26, 2022
4 min read
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Education Funding 7 Ways the Federal Government Shortchanges K-12 Schools
Districts haven't gotten the help they need and expect on infrastructure, high-need students, special education, school meals, and more.
Mark Lieberman, July 12, 2022
9 min read
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Collage by Laura Baker/Education Week and iStock/Getty
Education Funding State K-12 Spending Is Inequitable and Inadequate. See Where Yours Ranks
There's a $17,000 per student difference between the highest- and lowest-spending states. High-poverty schools suffer especially.
Mark Lieberman, October 28, 2021
4 min read
Illustration of a helping hand with dollar bill bridging economy gap during coronavirus pandemic, assisting business people to overcome financial difficulties.
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Federal Districts Would Have to Show Equity for High-Poverty Schools Under Proposed Biden Rule
The U.S. Department of Education says the move would promote transparency and accountability for schools getting COVID-19 aid.
Andrew Ujifusa, October 5, 2021
4 min read
President Joe Biden talks about the May jobs report from the Rehoboth Beach Convention Center in Rehoboth Beach, Del., Friday, June 4, 2021.
President Joe Biden made boosting Title I for disadvantaged students a key part of his education platform on the campaign trail.
Susan Walsh/AP
Education Funding There Are Big Funding Gaps Affecting High-Poverty Schools. Can Biden Close Them?
Hurdles lie ahead for a $20 billion bid to create "Title I equity grants" to address long-standing funding inequities.
Andrew Ujifusa, June 9, 2021
9 min read
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Education Funding Education Department Issues Directive on Shielding Students in Poverty From Funding Cuts
The agency released the "maintenance of equity" guidance on COVID-19 relief as part of a public-relations blitz on equity amid the pandemic.
Andrew Ujifusa, June 9, 2021
5 min read
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Education Funding From Our Research Center Nation Earns a 'C' on School Finance, Reflecting Inconsistency in K-12 Funding and Equity
The Edweek Research Center's latest analysis finds a gulf in many states between per-pupil spending and how that K-12 money goes out.
6 min read
a young girl wearing a backpack walks into a school building with other children
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Education Funding Biden's K-12 Budget Seeks $20 Billion for State Incentives to Address Funding Inequity
The "equity grants" are part of a huge spending plan that would also boost priorities like community schools, counselors, and school nurses.
Evie Blad, May 28, 2021
6 min read
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Education Funding Schools Can Help Families Apply for Federal Help in Paying for Home Internet Access
Families who qualify for the free and reduced-price lunch program can get $50 off their monthly broadband bills.
Alyson Klein, May 12, 2021
2 min read
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Education Funding COVID-19 Aid Package Protects Funding for Students in Poverty, But Could Challenge Schools
"Maintenance of equity" mandates aim to avoid cuts by states and districts that hurt disadvantaged students more than others.
Andrew Ujifusa, March 18, 2021
8 min read
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Education Funding Opinion Black Families Don't Need 'Fixing.' They Need Better School Financing
There's nothing wrong with Black districts, teachers, students, and parents that ending racism can’t solve, writes Andre Perry.
Andre Perry, August 26, 2020
5 min read
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Education Funding From Our Research Center Nation Gets a 'C' on School Finance, Even as Economic Downturn Takes Hold
Wyoming once again takes the top spot in Quality Counts' annual ranking of the states on school finance, while 22 states receive grades between C-minus and D-minus.
5 min read
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States 7 Issues Facing K-12 Budgets as COVID-Shocked Legislatures Reconvene
Competing priorities and no good choices about where to make deep cuts confront state lawmakers struggling to deal with the fiscal crisis caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Daarel Burnette II, May 28, 2020
9 min read
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Taylor Callery for Education Week
Education Funding Devastated Budgets and Widening Inequities: How the Coronavirus Collapse Will Impact Schools
The recession brought on by the pandemic will make inequalities in schools worse.
Daarel Burnette II, May 8, 2020
10 min read