Local property taxes are a major part of current school funding formulas, but this approach leaves schools in low-income neighborhoods cash-strapped compared to schools in wealthier communities.
According to
Pacific Standard, most states follow a variation of the "foundation program," which determines the minimum amount necessary to provide an adequate education and provides school districts with funds to meet that minimum.
Earlier this month Kansas' Supreme Court ruled that funds to the state's school districts were not being distributed properly, and schools in low-income neighborhoods weren't receiving adequate funding to keep up with schools in affluent neighborhoods.
Education experts argue that a fair program would increase state funding to school districts in low-income neighborhoods to make up for lower levels of local property tax revenue. But so far most states aren't providing the amount needed to close the gap.
Education quality shouldn't be determined by the wealth of a child's community. Sign your name and urge state lawmakers to increase education funding in low-income neighborhoods!Dear Decision Maker:
According to a report by Pacific Standard, higher levels of state funds should be directed to low-income neighborhoods to compensate for the lower levels of income revenue.
Because public schools rely heavily on revenues from local property taxes, a gap in educationq uality is created between rich and poor communities.
Although many states make some effort to close this gap, in most states those efforts are still not providing adequate funding to low-income school districts. A report by Education Law Center's School Funding Fairness National Report Card reveals that only 15 states increased funding to low-income school districts in 2012; meanwhile 19 states allocated resources equally between districts regardless of income level, and 14 states actually provided less funding to low-income districts.
These funding decisions have major consequences. If children don't have equal access to K-12 education they fall behind and are less prepared for the workforce and other educational opportunities beyond high school.
[your comment here]
To ensure children in low-income school districts receive an adequate education to that of their wealthier counterparts, state funding must be increased to make up for the lack of income revenue. I strongly urge you to support progressive funding, and increase education funding to school districts in low-income neighborhoods.
Sincerely,
[your name]
