You Can Always Count on Alvin, Simon, and Theodore

In this piece, JLF’s Terry Stoops and my favorite chipmunks debunk one of the most persistent school funding myths around. Here’s how per-pupil funding really works in our state.

Alvin (+$5,511) is a disadvantaged student (+$235) who comes from a low-income family (+$356) and lives in a low-wealth county (+$268). He has an Individualized Education Program (+$3,501) for his Attention Deficit Disorder, which, unfortunately led to a poor performance on the state end-of-grade exam (+$164), even after the retest. Given these circumstances, state funding for Alvin would total $10,035. Alvin’s situation makes his school district eligible for an additional $3,820 in federal dollars. Thus, there is approximately $13,855 in state and federal funds available to assist struggling Alvin.

Unlike Alvin, Simon (+$5,511) is an intellectually and academically gifted child (+$423) who performs at or above grade level on the state end-of-grade exam. Simon comes from a middle-class family and attends an elementary school in a large, suburban county. Based on these circumstances, state funding for Simon would total approximately $5,934. Moreover, Simon’s school district would receive only $47 in federal funds. In the end, Simon’s school district would receive approximately $5,981 in state and federal funds for his education, half of what the state and federal government provide for Alvin’s schooling.

Like Alvin, Theodore (+$5,511) is a disadvantaged student (+$235) from a low-income family (+$356) who lives in a low-wealth county (+$268). He has an Individualized Education Program (+3,501) due to an emotional handicap, namely hoarding. Alvin also did not perform at grade level on the state end-of-grade exam (+$164). Unlike Alvin or Simon, Theodore also lives in a small county (+$629) and — given that Chipmunkian is his native language — has limited English proficiency (+$756). Theodore’s school district would receive $11,420 in state funds. Theodore’s circumstances make his school district eligible for an additional $5,777 in federal dollars. Thus, Theodore’s school district would receive approximately $17,197 in state and federal funds, almost three times the amount received by Simon’s school district.

The moral? There are plenty of K-12 policy issues to debate, but let’s not waste time on tired, old spin over lack of funding when the facts clearly illustrate otherwise.