Governmental Research Association Annual Policy Conference Washington, D.C. August, 2014

Education Commission of the States

Governmental Research Association

Annual Policy ConferenceWashington, D.C.

August, 2014

Michael GriffithSchool Finance ConsultantEducation Commission of the States

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Education Commission of the States

Education Commission of the States

Founded in 1965 to enlighten, equip and engage education policy makers

Provides nonpartisan unbiased advice to policymakers throughout the country

53 member states, territories and the District of Columbia

Web Site: www.ecs.org

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Education Commission of the States

ECS School Funding Study

• The status of education revenue

• School funding issues

• State solutions

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Education Commission of the States

Total State Tax Revenue

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Source: U.S. Census

Education Commission of the States

Percentage Change in State Tax Revenue

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Education Commission of the States

Federal & State K-12 Expenditures

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Education Commission of the States

Local Education Funding(Numbers in $1,000)

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Source: U.S. Census

Education Commission of the States

Expenditures Per Pupil

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Source: U.S. Census

Education Commission of the States

What Has Been Cut?

• Transportation• Capital expenditures• Technology

• Textbooks• Supplies• Equipment

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Education Commission of the States

What’s Happening Now in States?

• Reviewing/studying funding formulas

• Funding for high-need students– At-risk– ELL– Special education

• Addressing state specific issues

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School Funding ActivityStudies

– Alabama– Kentucky– Maine– Maryland– Montana– South Dakota

Litigation – Texas– Washington

Committees/Panels/Meetings– Arizona– Illinois– Nevada– Pennsylvania– Tennessee

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Education Commission of the States

High-Need Students

• At-risk – A new measure for at-risk– Funding levels and expectations– Addressing the idea of density

• ELL– Addressing it within the formula– Should there be a time limit?– Incentives for moving students off ELL

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Education Commission of the States

Special Education• 1st generation– Single weight

• 2nd generation– Multi-level based on disability

• 3rd generation– Based on services provided

• Some states moving toward “census based” systems

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Education Commission of the States

Six Hot Topics

1. Adequate funding?

2. Determining a district’s wealth

3. Shrinking school districts

4. School district consolidation

5. Education reserve funds

6. Fiscal emergency/State takeover

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Education Commission of the States

For More Information

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Education Commission of the States700 Broadway, Suite 810Denver, Colorado 80203

(303) 299-3624www.ecs.orgecs@ecs.org