Charter School Discussion

School Finance Discussion

School Report Card Assignment

What are they?

Are they good or bad?

What does their future hold?

Flat Grant: (Iowa, example)

Fixed dollar amount per student in the state Local communities can raise additional funds

Full State Funding: (only Hawaii)

State pays 100% of education costs Uniform property tax

Foundation Support: (Illinois and most states)

A foundation level is determined Local property taxes are used first State funding is used to reach the foundation level

(Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, 2006)

“The state shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services…The state has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education” (Sec 1, Article 10, Illinois Constitution)

In 2008F

unding ranged between $5,500 and $22,000 per student

State Average $10,470

The 2010 foundational level: $6,119 per pupil

Foundation amount is arbitrary; not the actual cost of education

Funding Formulas:

Foundation Formula: Local resources are less than 93% of foundation level (80% of districts) Foundational level – Local resources = State Aid If a district raises $4000 per student they would receive $2119

per student from the state. Alternative Formula: Local resources are between 93% and

175% of the foundation level (15% of districts) Provides between 5% to 7% of the foundational level per student

(roughly between $306-$428) Flat Grant: Local resources are over 175% of foundational

level (5% of districts) These districts receive $218 per student in State Aid

State Poverty Grant

Funding based on the number of students living in poverty

Based on a formula (2007: Poverty grant was between $300-$3000 per low income student )

State Mandated Services

Schools are reimbursed for services that are required by law

These include: free/reduce lunch, special education, transportation, summer school

Findings and Questions related to the article?

Illinois Funding Examples:

Adlai Stevenson High School: http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolID=340491250130001

Simeon Career Academy: http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolid=150162990250537