Any debate about fairness in school funding has to start with clear data, but it turns out that data can be very hard to find. Most people understand the inequity of school districts in wealthier areas having more money than those in less affluent communities. Addressing these disparities — across school districts — is important; but just as important, and less understood, is the unfair distribution of resources within school districts. The Center for American Progress conducted a rare study of this issue and found that at least 4.5 million students from low-income backgrounds are in schools that receive roughly $1,200 less per child each year than wealthier schools in the very same district. And these baseline funding numbers do not even include major advantages affluent schools have through well-funded P.T.A.s, parental social capital and connections with colleges and universities.

Source: New York Times January 30, 2020 00:22 UTC