Major study recommends comprehensive reform to school funding
by Patrice Johnson
According to Education Week, in 2017 Michigan’s educational performance ranked 35th among the 50 states. Results of a major study released Jan. 17, indicate major changes in the state’s school funding are in order. Over the past two years, the School Finance Research Collaborative has been conducting a statewide survey to reexamine Michigan’s approach to how it funds schools.
The effort, composed of more than 250 top business and education experts, found that the base per-pupil cost to educate a regular education K-12 student in Michigan is $9,590 per year. This figure does not include transportation, food service or capital costs, and it includes pension costs at 4.6% of wages. In addition, the study determined the cost of educating a preschool student, age three or four, to be $14,155.
In order to meet Michigan’s educational standards and prepare all students fully for jobs and success, the study recommended the following:
- Charter and traditional public schools should be funded equally.
- In addition to the base per-pupil cost, a percentage of the base cost should be provided for special education, English Language Learners, students living in poverty and programs to provide Career and Technical Education.
- Transportation costs should be funded at $973 per rider until further study can be carried out.
- Because Michigan’s school district sizes vary widely and small districts lack economies of scale, district size must be taken into account, with funding increases provided for all districts under 7,500 students.
In a press release, the School Finance Research Collaborative said it brought together the nation’s two leading school funding research firms to develop the report. It collected data from educators and school districts, public school academies (charters), and intermediate school districts all over the state. The announcement stated the report “provides the most complete data available on school funding and gives policymakers the building blocks to reform the school funding system in Michigan.”
Stockbridge made the “List of Successful Schools,” and was noted as “above average standard.”
Of local significance, in Appendix G of the report, Stockbridge made the “List of Successful Schools,” and was noted as “above average standard.”
According to Karl Heidrich, Superintendent of Stockbridge Schools, “Equity is increasingly a concern for public schools. I am pleased the study is examining today’s cost to educate children in school districts across Michigan. A more equal distribution of funding for all districts is needed.” Heidrich went on to emphasize, “Having an adequate increase in funding for additional resources from early childhood through high school would enhance our ability to meet the needs of educating our students.”
Bob Moore, School Finance Research Project Director, said the comprehensive analysis shows what it costs to educate every child, regardless of zip code or circumstance, “and we hope policymakers will use it as a roadmap to take action on behalf of Michigan’s students.”
“Regardless of whether a child attends a traditional public or charter school, they deserve the best possible education, and that starts with establishing a school funding program that’s data-driven and works for all students,” said Mary Kay Shields, president of CS Partners.
The study, launched in 2016, was funded by the W.K. Kellogg, Charles Stewart Mott and Skillman foundations, plus more than 22 Michigan intermediate school districts and nonprofit organizations statewide. The full Collaborative report is available at fundMIschools.org.
