2. Charter School Discussion School Finance Discussion School Report Card Assignment

3. What are they? Are they good or bad? What does their future hold?

5. Flat Grant: (Iowa, example)  Fixed dollar amount per student in the state  Local communities can raise additional funds Full State Funding: (only Hawaii)  State pays 100% of education costs  Uniform property tax Foundation Support: (Illinois and most states)  A foundation level is determined  Local property taxes are used first  State funding is used to reach the foundation level (Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, 2006)

6. “The state shall provide for an efficient system of high quality public educational institutions and services…The state has the primary responsibility for financing the system of public education” (Sec 1, Article 10, Illinois Constitution) In 2008 Funding ranged between $5,500 and $22,000 per student State Average $10,470

8. The 2010 foundational level: $6,119 per pupil  Foundation amount is arbitrary; not the actual cost of education Funding Formulas:  Foundation Formula: Local resources are less than 93% of foundation level (80% of districts)  Foundational level – Local resources = State Aid  If a district raises $4000 per student they would receive $2119 per student from the state.  Alternative Formula: Local resources are between 93% and 175% of the foundation level (15% of districts)  Provides between 5% to 7% of the foundational level per student (roughly between $306-$428)  Flat Grant: Local resources are over 175% of foundational level (5% of districts)  These districts receive $218 per student in State Aid

9. State Poverty Grant  Funding based on the number of students living in poverty  Based on a formula (2007: Poverty grant was between $300- $3000 per low income student ) State Mandated Services  Schools are reimbursed for services that are required by law  These include: free/reduce lunch, special education, transportation, summer school

11. Findings and Questions related to the article? Illinois Funding Examples:  Adlai Stevenson High School: http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolID=340491250130001 http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolID=340491250130001  Simeon Career Academy: http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolid=150162990250537 http://iirc.niu.edu/School.aspx?schoolid=150162990250537