ERIC Number: ED608981
Record Type: Non-Journal
Publication Date: 2020-Oct
Pages: 13
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: N/A
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
More Funding Needed to Fix Tennessee School Staff Shortages. Fair School Funding: A Resource Equity Report
McKillip, Mary; Farrie, Danielle
Education Law Center
Tennessee's school funding formula does not adequately support the state's schools. This report analyzes the impact of underfunding on staffing levels and the resulting inequities created between high- and low-income school districts. The state's school formula funding, even when supplemented by local funding above the required local share, results in lower staffing levels in poorer districts in nearly every staffing category. Our findings show: (1) Nearly all districts raise more local funds than required. (2) Wealthier districts supplement with local funds to reduce the average state student-teacher ratio of 23:1 ratio to 19-20 students per teacher, while the poorest districts average a student-teacher ratio of 24:1. (3) The English language learner to English as a second language teacher ratio is twice as high in poor districts than in wealthier districts. (4) Many districts have extremely limited access to student support staff such as social workers, counselors, and psychologists.
Descriptors: Educational Finance, Funding Formulas, School Personnel, Supply and Demand, School Districts, Educational Equity (Finance), At Risk Students, Teacher Shortage, School Counselors, School Social Workers, School Psychologists, Teacher Student Ratio, English Language Learners, Poverty, School District Wealth
Education Law Center. 60 Park Place Suite 300, Newark, NJ 07102. Tel: 973-624-1815; Fax: 973-624-7339; e-mail: elc@edlawcenter.org; Web site: http://www.edlawcenter.org
Publication Type: Reports - Evaluative; Numerical/Quantitative Data
Education Level: N/A
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: W.K. Kellogg Foundation
Authoring Institution: Education Law Center
Identifiers - Location: Tennessee
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A