School Officials Object to Single Funding Formula
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) - Educators are asking Illinois lawmakers to be judicious as the state’s school funding formula is re-examined this year.
An Illinois Child Care Association official and others told a House appropriations committee they object to having specialized programs rolled into a single funding formula that determines funding based on poverty levels.
Katherine Buchanan says money should follow the number of students served in particular school districts’ programs instead of funding based on how rich or poor districts are.
The current system factors in a district’s poverty for some types of state aid but not others.
A recent report from a Senate education committee says streamlining the formula would provide better equity to districts across Illinois.
It suggests putting the majority of funds into one pot and dividing resources based on need.
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