mmmFunding is often a controversial subject, especially now during unsettling economic times. Here you will find information on the issues including the use of federal stimulus money for education in Georgia. Posting here does not imply Georgia Partnership endorsement.
Stimulus/Race to the Top
See our special information page for resources and information.
New School Year Brings Steep Cuts in State School Funding
Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Elementary and high schools are receiving less state funding than last year in at least 37 states, and in at least 30 states school funding now stands below 2008 levels - often far below. Relating article. (October 2011)
The When, Whether & Who of Worthless Wonky Studies: School Finance Reform Edition
School Finance 101
What is that vast body of research that suggests that school finance reforms don't matter? That it's all money down the rat-hole. That in fact, judicial orders to increase funding for schools actually hurt children? (September 2011)
Districts Foresee Budget Cuts, Teacher Layoffs, and a Slowing of Education Reform Efforts
Center on Education Policy
Many school districts had to cope with shrinking budgets this past school year, but the effects of these cuts were cushioned to some extent by the availability of federal economic stimulus money. Now what? (Scroll down page to find this report - Published June, posted here August 2011)
Debt Ceiling Deal: Big Questions for K-12
Education Week
Education advocates are trying to take stock of what the congressional vote to lift the federal debt ceiling — and the belt tightening that comes along with it — will mean for K-12 education. And it's not at all clear.
What Savings are Produced by Moving to a Four-Day School Week?
Education Commission of the States
Due to curent economic downturn, policymakers have been looking for budgetary options that allow for reductions in expenditures without impacting student achievement. One cost-cutting policy that some districts have adopted is to keep instructional time the same but shorten the school week. (May 2011)
Federal Education Budget Project
New America Foundation
FEBP now provides data on every institution of higher education in the country, including an easy-to-read account of federal financial aid trends, student demographics, and student and school outcomes at each institution. (June 2011)
School Improvement Grant Efforts Face Hurdles
Education Week
More than a year after the U.S. Department of Education supercharged the program targeting the nation’s lowest performing schools, with an influx of cash and a big makeover of the governing rules, states and districts are sorting through a thicket of practical and logistical issues. (May 2011)
Restructuring Resources for High-Performing Schools: A Primer for State Policymakers
Education Resource Strategies
This report indicates state policymakers attempting to bring down school costs should ease and refine class-size mandates and other requirements, and more closely scrutinize how money is spent on special education. Relating article. (June 2011)
Education Stimulus - Gauging the Impact of a Federal Windfall
The Hechinger Report
The Hechinger Report and the Education Writers Association partnered with more than 30 newspapers nationwide to take a look at how the stimulus money was spent.
Resetting Race to the Top: Why the Competition’s Future Depends on Improving the Scoring Process
The New Teacher Project
What did it take to win Race to the Top? In less than a year, dozens of states made major policy changes and enlisted a broad range of stakeholders to support ambitious school reform plans. The result was more state-level education reform than had occurred in the previous two decades combined. (December 2010)
Other Funding Resources
State Support for Education in Georgia
Georgia School Funding Association
The opportunities for our children – and the prosperity of our state – are being severely undermined by the continuing erosion in state support to our schools. The extent of the cuts and the consequences for our students and our state are much more serious than generally recognized. (March 2011)
The Fiscal Survey of States
National Governor's Assn. and State Budget Officers
While state budgets have improved slightly over the past year, more than a dozen states so far have made mid-year cuts to K-12 education, and the fiscal outlook going forward remains grim (ECS). (December 2010)
State Policies That Pay - A Survey of School Finance Policies and Outcomes
EPE Research Center
This special report assesses the state of education finance policy for America’s schools. (April 2010)
A Cliff Hanger: How American Public Schools Continue to Feel Impact of the Economic Downturn
American Association of School Administrators
This report warns districts across the U.S. are warning of widespread layoffs and severe cutbacks in programs as funding under the federal economic-stimulus package begins to dry up - ECS. (April 2010)