Abstract
This paper compares and contrasts the school funding approaches of the state of Illinois and the District of Columbia. It shows that in Illinois there is a far greater problem of how to achieve a more equitable distribution of funds, though the state is currently setting a course to try to make this happen with its evidence-based model funding formula recently passed this year. In DC on the other hand, a foundation formula is used to disperse funds equitably throughout the District and private investment is obtained to help develop programs that can assist in closing the achievement gap. DC is thus better structured and its school funding approach better supported to achieve success over the long run.
Keywords: school funding, dc, Illinois, education
School Funding Investigation:
Comparing and Contrasting Illinois and Washington, D.C.
Introduction
Funding for schools is a controversial topic for many mainly because of the lack of discernible equitability evident throughout the system. This paper takes a close look at two school systems in particular—the Illinois state school system and the Washington, D.C., school system to see how they approach the issue of school funding respectively. The paper shows that there are unique challenges faced by each and that new formulas are being tried currently to address specific issues—such as inequity.
How Schools are Funded in Illinois and Washington, D.C.
Schools in Illinois are funded by taxes, which vary from district to district. Poor districts receive little funding while affluent districts receive much more. A new funding formula passed in 2018, however, intends to change that and to make sure every school district receives the funding it needs to provide a fair education to all. Using a model that looks at individual school districts and provides funds meant to improve them, Illinois hopes to close the equitability gap in short order.
Schools in Washington, D.C., are funded by local and federal funds. School districts receive federal funds according to how many teachers they have, the teachers’ experience, and several other variables. Local money goes to supply the basics for education, and local money goes to supply the “extras”—technology, after school programs, etc. There are also a number of DC public school funds like Excellence through Equity, which is designed to help close the achievement gap, and the Empowering Males of Color and Reign initiative. Currently, $1.74 billion is budgeted for DC schools by the Mayor (District of Columbia Public Schools, 2017).
Challenges to the State’s Funding Formula for Illinois and Washington, D.C.
Challenges to Illinois’ funding formula is that the state is essentially bankrupt and simply does not have the funds to pay public employees or distribute money evenly among the various districts, although it intends to do so at least in the near term. The long...
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