In nearly half of all states, affluent districts still receive more funding for their schools and students than poorer districts

A new report from the Center for American Progress analyzes past school finance reform to show that policymakers and advocates must adopt a new framework to have effectively curb school funding inequities. Allocating equal funding for every student does not guarantee that all students will have a rigorous educational experience. Reforms must focus on both funding levels and equal access to resources shown to be fundamental to a quality education. 

Specifically, the authors argue that school finance reform must follow the following principles:

• School funding systems should ensure equal access to core educational services. Advocates should be focused on the quality of educational opportunities as the driving goal of an equitable education financing system.
• School funding should provide significant additional resources for low-income students. Weighted student funding should help to attract highly qualified teachers, improve curriculum, and fund additional programs such as early childhood education in high-poverty districts.
• School finance reforms should be accompanied by outcomes-based accountability schemes that ensure students are prepared for college or career upon graduation.
• To fully fund education and child welfare programs, states should return investments in public education to pre-Great Recession levels, and the federal should maintain or increase its investment in programs that support students with the greatest needs.