(WWJ) – A new report released Tuesday shows Michigan would need roughly $4.5 billion more to adequately fund public schools in the state.
Research released in the Education Law Center’s report reviewing the funding adequacy for every K-12 school district in the state “confirms what education advocates have been saying for years: our schools are significantly underfunded.”
Most districts across the state need “substantial increases in revenue,” according to the report, which includes an interactive website that provides data on each district.
The website includes an interactive district-by-district map that includes a breakdown of enrollment and funding statistics.
The report says about 90% of Michigan public school students attend schools that are underfunded, while 77% of them attend districts that are more than $2,000 per pupil below adequacy.
School funding adequacy refers to the funding necessary to “provide students with reasonable opportunities to achieve state standards.”
Among resources necessary to meet the state’s academic proficiency standards are small class sizes, student supports and preschool. The study recommended additional funding for students from low-income backgrounds, students with disabilities, and English learners, recognizing that “students in these groups need additional in-school resources to have a reasonable chance of achieving state academic standards.”
Those involved in the research are encouraging state leaders to come up with a new funding source to help schools.
While the report says “a comprehensive reform” of the state’s school finance formula would be ideal, there are “certain policy changes that could be enacted within Michigan’s existing school finance structure" to achieve adequacy goals.
Suggested changes include:
• Increase base funding and target additional increases in funding for low-income students, English learners, and students with disabilities;
• Expand preschool opportunities to all students, building off the state’s Great Start Readiness Program (GSRP);
• Raise additional revenue; state tax revenue has grown in recent years, but it is still not enough to meet the adequacy targets estimated here.
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