State Finance
Desired features of a State Funding System
We created this decision tree to help policy makers review and design state education funding formulas. It describes the desired features of a state education funding formula and walks policymakers through key decisions and considerations around balancing allocation and trade-offs in particular contexts.
Please email any questions to us at edunomics@georgetown.edu.
States provide the biggest share of funding for public education in the United States. This grants state education finance policy an outsized impact on districts, schools and students. We analyze pressing state issues, from skyrocketing pension debt (and how states might combat it) to shifting models for allocating resources to districts (and the tradeoffs implicit in those shifts).
One of a state’s primary responsibilities is to divvy up the public funds for K-12 schooling. A set of finance policies determines how the state and local funds are apportioned—and what is expected in return—so that districts and other providers can then apply them to schools and classrooms. While each state formula varies, there are desired features and key decisions for consideration.
Spending vs. Outcomes
Our interactive data ROI displays allow users to explore how dollars are allocated across systems and which are most able to leverage their money to maximize student outcomes.
Our team is making regular updates. If you have questions or would like to be notified when your state is updated, please email us at edunomics@georgetown.edu.
Explore by School
Explore by District
We suggest using Chrome for best access to scatterplots in Tableau.
Financial Decision-Making Working Group (FIDWIG)
FiDWiG is a collaboration between state education agencies (SEAs) led by Edunomics Lab on how to leverage financial transparency for data-driven decision-making. FiDWiG created a set of voluntary, minimal reporting criteria, the Interstate Financial Reporting, to ensure per-pupil expenditure measures have common meaning across states.
Please contact us at edunomics@georgetown.edu for accessible versions of the meeting resources.
Related Resources
- Newsletters
- Aug 06, 2026
A new source of cash. Will public schools go after it?
Discover how federal tax credit scholarships could bring over $1,000 per student to public school districts. Learn actionable steps education leaders must take now to unlock this new revenue source.
- Articles & Publications
- Aug 03, 2026
Want Federal Tax Credit Money for Public Schools? Here’s What to Do Now
How much of the new federal scholarship money will flow to school districts depends almost entirely on how actively leaders pursue it.
- Newsletters
- Apr 23, 2026
BREAKING: Federal “first look” financials are out
The latest federal financial data shows that K-12 spending has hit the $1 trillion milestone. From state revenue jumps to the growth of the "middle layer," see how spending varies and why ROI matters more than ever.
- Webinars & Presentations
- Nov 20, 2025
30-Min Webinar: Must budget cuts erode district quality? Tips for this budget season.
In this 30 minute webinar, Marguerite shares a range of options for how districts can spend smarter toward building long-term financial health and growing outcomes for students. And which districts are doing this well.
