K-12 Financial Landscape

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Five major K-12 finance trends to watch

School systems are facing a number of atypical financial shocks. We shared insights with state and district leaders on what to prepare for in the coming months.

New & Notable

Analysis

School boards should focus budget deliberations on student outcomes, financial sustainability

photo of students protesting budget cuts

Analysis

Don't want to close underenrolled schools? Here's how to make the math work.

Commentary

Big-city districts are beset by financial dysfunction - and kids pay the price

Featured Research, Data, & Analysis

Most districts now have more staff than ever before

Federal relief funds triggered a hiring frenzy (which then triggered a staffing shortage). In the states where we’ve combed through the data, we see a big jump in non-teaching specialists and aides. Teachers are up too (albeit at a smaller proportionate increase), as are administrators. Per usual, Edunomics Lab asks: Is it working? Are students benefiting?

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No Silver School-Spending Bullets

ESSER funds came in the form of a blank check. Where we have data, we find that how a district spent its funds doesn’t explain differences in test score gains. The ESSER experiment reconfirms the notion that converting dollars to outcomes is so much messier than following a simple spending recipe. So how can school systems continue to drive learning gains as ESSER ends? We’ve been analyzing the data and engaging with leaders to understand how systems might get more return on the dollars they have.

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With tough finances ahead for districts, will states come to the rescue?

After nearly a decade of strong growth in state revenues, growth in General Fund revenues is slowing. We’ve assessed FY23-24 and FY24-25 by state.

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A Financial Anaysis of Public Funds Invested Via ESAs, Vouchers & Tax Credits

Public investment in private options is on the rise. What are the financial implications? This real-time financial analysis looks at FY24-25 state funding to quantify how many public dollars are flowing through ESAs, vouchers, and tax credit scholarships right now.

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Leading district finances during a time of financial turmoil

We’ve compiled resources to help district leaders and their finance teams navigate the opportunities and challenges involved in deciding how to spend temporary federal relief funds.

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