In some cases, money is not distributed equally among all school districts in Michigan. | stock photo
In some cases, money is not distributed equally among all school districts in Michigan. | stock photo
A virtual forum will be held to address funding equity for Michigan schools.
The Detroit Free Press, together with two education-focused nonprofit organizations, will be holding a “virtual conversation” on Monday, Dec. 7, according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.
During the forum, the effect of the recent general election on Michigan’s school system will be discussed.
“This conversation comes amid growing calls for lawmakers to address equity issues in Michigan schools,” according to Education Trust-Midwest (ETM), an organization that focuses on nonpartisan, data-driven research, policies and advocacies to ensure students in Michigan achieve a high-quality education. ETM partners with educators, advocates, parents, policymakers, business and civic leaders, community groups and others to help develop and implement practices and policies that improve educational outcomes for students.
Several public policy nonprofits, mainstream media outlets and Democratic Party politicians claim schools in the poor and minority communities in the state receive fewer taxpayer dollars than those in other communities.
Michigan ranked in the bottom half of the most recent national assessment for all student performances in fourth- and eighth-grade math and reading, according to Mary Grech, ETM senior data and policy analyst. She claims that “Michigan allocates fewer dollars on average to Michigan’s poorest school districts, compared to the state’s wealthiest school districts,” according to Michigan Capitol Confidential.
However, the state’s school financial data that has been regularly collected and published does not seem to support Grech’s statement.
From 2018-19, the Detroit Public Schools Community District accepted $15,891 per student, according to the National Public Education Financial Survey. This includes local, state and federal money. The district ranks as the 15th-highest in funding among Michigan school districts that enroll 1,000 or more students.
Aside from Michigan, low-income school districts in several other states also receive more than state's average funding.
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