State funding formulas shape how much money school districts have to spend, but districts usually have considerable discretion with how they distribute funds to schools. Because of this discretion, even if districts receive funds through a highly equitable state system, there is no guarantee that districts will distribute funding equitably to…

Due to resource constraints in the Indian education sector, efficiency assessment of the higher education is more essential for the proper allocation and the effective utilization of financial and human resources. Moreover, much of the research in the higher education sector has mainly focused on the quality of education and ignored the role of…

Between March 2020 and March 2021, the federal government distributed an unprecedented amount of money to American public schools to address the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. About $6 billion was distributed in three waves to the state of Michigan alone. This report uses data provided by districts to the state government to analyze how…

The Bring Bobcats Back program was established at Texas State University in 2018 for students who had "stopped out" to return and finish their degrees. Bring Bobcats Back has expanded thanks to federal and state grant funding born out of the pandemic. Through the U.S. Department of Education's Stabilization Fund Program via the…

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted schools across the country, negatively impacting student learning, especially for students of color and students experiencing poverty. These students need our support; in the absence of successful COVID catch-up activities, the likelihood is that they will face future obstacles to success in college and the…

Robust partnerships between state chief academic officers (SAOs) and institutional chief academic officers (CAOs) align administrative procedures and foster a shared vision for student achievement that leverages the benefits of state and institutional coordination. This report outlines how four states--Louisiana, Kentucky, North Carolina, and…

The purpose of this report is to share with the U.S. Department of Education (Department) observations made by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) regarding States' Governor's Emergency Education Relief (GEER) Fund initial 45-day reports and annual reports. The objectives of the review were to review States' initial 45-day GEER Fund reports to…

Poverty directly impacts the mental, social, and physical health of students which, without a strong education system, can create a downward spiral in the lives of students. Schools in low-income neighborhoods, where property values are low, do not have the same resources and support as wealthier parts of society. High-poverty school districts in…

During and for many years after the 2008-10 Great Recession, financial crises in districts across the country triggered varying state involvement in those districts' finances and governance, up to and including complete takeover. While these actions were most prominent in a handful of states, all states have laws that enable them to intervene in…

Educational institutions operate within multiple hierarchical levels with each level typically influencing policies or outcomes at other levels within the hierarchy. For example, decisions made at the state level may influence decisions at the local education agency (LEA) level which may influence decisions at the school building level (as well in…

The COVID-19 pandemic has ushered in an unprecedented level of uncertainty in all aspects of life as most states and communities operate under stay-at-home directives. There is little doubt that these directives will have economic implications that will affect school budgets for years to come. Identifying and understanding these effects and…

When it comes to American education, few policy areas are as misunderstood -- or as crucial -- as school finance. Over the past several years, a political and empirical consensus has emerged about the importance of equitable and adequate school funding for high quality K-12 education. In other words, the evidence is clear that money does, indeed,…

States have an essential guiding role in the collection and use of attendance data. State guidance ensures that attendance is taken daily in a consistent manner and is monitored to detect and address inequitable access to learning opportunities. The recent shift to distance and blended learning as a result of the coronavirus pandemic disrupted the…

Students of color continue to experience disparities in enrollment, retention and completion of postsecondary education -- a reality that's been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In light of persistent and systemic inequities, policymakers are increasingly interested in exploring funding approaches that support greater access and attainment to…

When it comes to American education, few policy areas are as misunderstood -- or as crucial -- as school finance. Over the past several years, a political and empirical consensus has emerged about the importance of equitable and adequate school funding for high-quality K-12 education. Certainly, there are plenty of contentious debates about how…