How to overcome education funding issues in public schools

Listen to an audio version of this post:

Across the country, public schools are feeling the pressure of tight budgets and growing demands. From outdated tech to staffing challenges, limited education funding is making it harder for schools to deliver the kind of learning experiences students deserve. For principals, tech directors and other decision-makers, finding solutions that actually work and fit within the budget is more important than ever.

In this article, we’ll explore practical ways to tackle these funding challenges head-on to create a better learning environment. From smarter budgeting and grant opportunities to choosing the right tech tools, you’ll find strategies to help your school do more with less.

The root of education funding challenges

The financial challenges affecting the quality of public education are deep-seated. At the root of the problem are outdated funding formulas that directly impact the support for public schools in the United States. 

Overview of funding structures for public schools

Public education is funded from three sources, local, state and federal. Local taxes typically account for 45% of funding, while federal money makes up less than 10% percent for most schools. The most significant source of funding for public education comes from states, which in most cases provide just below 50% of the total funding schools receive.

Two distinctive types of public schools exist in the nation. Traditional public schools are operated and funded by the government through taxes and fees. The curriculum and management of public schools is usually done by the school district and a school board made up of elected officials. The information taught, testing and other aspects of a school’s operations are guided and enforced by the state. Students attend the schools that correspond to predetermined district boundary lines.

Charter schools also receive funding from the same sources as a traditional public school, yet operate as independent schools where students can attend regardless of where they live. Charter schools must adhere to certain academic requirements and standards agreed upon with the state. Charter schools are typically in high demand due to being tuition free so a lottery is often used to determine enrollment.

While all public schools including charters receive some basic funds from the US government, the majority of federal funding for public education goes to schools that qualify for Title I. These are schools that have a larger proportion of low income families living within the district. An average public school gets less than 10 percent of its total budget from the federal government, while Title I schools may receive as much as 12 percent. 

Disparities in public education funding across districts and states.

Since their budget relies so heavily on local property taxes, all schools do not receive a uniform amount of money. Disparities in how much public education funding goes to a particular school are largely due to the economic condition or tax base of different communities. Whether an area is affluent or disadvantaged influences how much funding the schools located within the boundary lines receive. As a result, districts with a lower average property value and tax base frequently suffer funding inequities.

Low-income school districts are at least two times more likely to have a funding gap than higher income districts according to TCF data. Districts where concentrations of poverty reach the highest 20 percentile by US Census poverty rate are 2.6 times more likely to have a funding gap. This amounts to more than $6,700 per pupil.

The underfunding of tech-related initiatives 

Ramifications of underfunding touch the very technology initiatives that could boost academic achievement in light of increasing classroom demands. Technology can support the classroom management process, streamline assessment and grading, and differentiate assignments for learners with differing needs. Yet many students in many classrooms around the country will never experience these benefits due to a lack of funding where the need is greatest.

Another problem for some schools is the lack of budget for dedicated IT personnel that often corrales teachers and other staff members who already have demanding workloads into handling technical issues that arise. Valuable instructional time is lost as educators try to troubleshoot or field tech-related problems. Without expert IT support to update software and maintain equipment, schools run a higher risk of cybersecurity breaches and misguided use of educational technology. 

The impact of inadequate funding on learning environments

A direct correlation exists between student achievement and school funding. Inequitable funding signifies a failure to invest in large numbers of children throughout the country. For students to be successful, the nation’s public schools require funding formulas which promote equity. Public education funding issues lead to nearly insurmountable barriers to the future success for millions of young people.

Outdated resources, limited access to technology, and overburdened teachers.

In underfunded schools, students often must deal with large class sizes, less experienced teachers, and, in some cases, no teacher at all. Insufficient funding limits the ability of schools to attract qualified teachers or to invest in technology infrastructure and other support services. Unstable learning environments and poor facilities negatively affect teacher and student morale and perpetuate the cycle of substandard education. 

Other characteristics include fewer advanced classes and lack of resources including access to technology designed to boost learner development and expand their minds. Insufficient funds exacerbate barriers to schools being able to provide classrooms with dependable internet service and functional devices, as well as sufficient tech support to keep equipment working well.

Challenges in implementing modern classroom strategies and tools

To be successful, technology tools need to be integrated into lessons in ways that help students enhance and extend their learning goals. Challenges to using modern teaching strategies to create supportive learning environments where each student can focus on the tasks necessary for developing their skills and knowledge. Unfortunately, lack of familiarity and sufficient professional development with technology on the part of educators and learners is one obstacle to making that happen in many classrooms. 

Without resources that help shift teaching practice toward more inclusive pedagogy, there is the tendency to stick with what is comfortable and familiar, even if it is based on outdated instruction models, such as assigning rote fill-in-the blank worksheets or other one-size-fits-all methods merely transferred to a digital format. As pressure mounts, so does the tendency for educators who are burnt out to resist change even when students would be better served.

Consequences for student outcomes and educator morale

Frustration at not being able to support students they care about because too much is coming at them at once leads to burnout. Eventually many experienced teachers leave the profession. The resulting teacher shortages place a heavier weight on those who remain, both emotionally and workload wise.

When schools are properly funded, student achievement improves. Furthermore, evidence shows that investing in schools pays off in the long run for communities in terms of access to a higher-quality and better-trained workforce. Conversely, when accessibility to these valuable resources is limited or nonexistent, it becomes challenging for students to excel or even graduate. Learners who lack access to these fundamentals of education are more socially isolated and have fewer opportunities than their counterparts with more access. 

Strategic budgeting: Making the most of available resources

To make the most of limited resources, tech directors and principals are forced to evaluate and reallocate existing budgets.

Effective use of available resources to optimize student achievement with technology in the classroom begins with a strategic planning framework. Here are the steps GFOA recommends that all districts go through as part of the planning and budgeting process:.

1. Plan and Prepare
2. Set Instructional Priorities
3. Pay for Priorities
4. Implement Plan
5. Ensure Sustainability

Start the process of planning and budgeting by mobilizing key stakeholders, gathering academic performance data and cost structure while establishing guiding principles and policies for the process. The district’s instructional priorities should provide a strong basis for developing the budget and strategic financial plan, as it is its long-term road map for implementation.

After thoroughly analyzing current resources and expenditures to find capacity to pay for top instructional priorities, match funds to specific action steps. To ensure sustainability, this process should easily be replicated in the future to keep the district focused on reaching its student achievement goals

Using data to identify inefficiencies and prioritize investments that have the greatest impact.

To do more with less, it is important for schools to examine data to identify which existing areas are draining resources. This helps schools increase efficiency and invest where change is most needed.   

To have a significant impact for learners during the brief time they are in high school, Alex Seage, Senior Director of Technology and Innovation, emphasizes the importance of end-user technology to be working top notch at all times. When schools move past the automatic mindset of frugality, or doing more with less, they see long-term cost and learning benefits of investing in updated devices and infrastructure. 

Seage explains how refreshing devices all at once with the same model makes it easier to troubleshoot and streamlines the training process for teachers. This example applies to other situations where being frugal ends up costing much more in terms of lost instruction time, dropping employee morale as well as money.

Researching which technologies will provide the maximum value for student learning and operational efficiency helps schools invest in devices and software that have longer lifespans and lower maintenance instead of continuously purchasing expensive, short-term solutions. 

Employing cost-effective solutions 

Subscription-based tools

Subscriptions are a way for schools to access quality software and other aids for learning, without a large initial outlay of capital. With technology subscriptions, costs are broken down into regular, predictable payments that schools can budget for and are usually price-locked with a contract. Although regular product upgrades and automatic updates are made by the edtech company, schools continue to pay the same price for continuously improving technology. 

Since supporting customers in gaining the most leverage from their tools is in the best interest of edtech companies, most provide training and support for educators. The built-in incentive to keep customers happy with the subscription system is a key advantage for schools. 

This is a critical issue. EdWeek found that 31% of educators have trouble utilizing technological resources in class as a result of a lack of training and support. With proper training and ongoing support on the edtech that schools purchase, educators gain a more comprehensive understanding of these tools and can make use of them during class in ways that result in an elevated learning experience for students. 

Digital textbooks

Another cost effective strategy that is advantageous for students as well as schools is using  e-textbooks, proven to be far more affordable than traditional textbooks. Their instant availability on any device that saves expensive and time consuming shipping is one reason digital textbooks are more cost effective. Public School Review found that updating digital textbooks is 53% cheaper than purchasing new versions of physical textbooks. 

The advantage of digital textbooks for learning is that they are customizable. If a school decides to add a supplemental textbook mid-year or purchase books for specific learners, it’s as quick as downloading new content to a device. From enlarged text to audio versions and brightness adjustments, E-textbooks are designed to accommodate diverse student needs. E-textbooks often include interactive and audiovisual activities that honor student’s different learning styles and encourage them to take responsibility for their learning. They also allow teachers to collaborate in activities with the students and track student learning. Students can learn at their own pace and have access to additional sources like hyperlinks to further support their learning. 

Leveraging federal and state grants

How to identify and apply for relevant grants.

Preparation will be paramount to navigate a diminishing funding landscape in upcoming years.  Educating leaders should stay aware of changes in order not to miss deadlines or important steps for obtaining education funding. 

Federal grants

Traditionally the education department administers grant funding programs to fulfill its mission of promoting student achievement and preparation for global competitiveness. Search for upcoming grant opportunities through the Department of Education website or grants.gov. 

Current federal funding options for public education programs such as ESSER, Title I and Title II can be found on the Hāpara website. Here is a brief summary of federal funding sources for K-12 schools:

Title I helps students from low-income families reach high academic standards. Title I schools can benefit from Hapara tools by using these funds. 

Title II focuses on strengthening educator’s development and improving their working environment based on their specific needs. This provides low-income and minority students with helpful and efficient educators.

Title III is designated to help students who are English learners by providing them the tools and technology for better instructions to improve their language learning. 

Title IV supports a well-rounded education by using the tools and technology to provide an effective learning experience and a safe environment for students and educators. These funds can be used to train educators in technology, provide mental health assistance and promote learners’ engagement in STEM.  

State funds

Schools are encouraged to look to their states to fill funding gaps as many did prior to 2020, when bonds or referendums were commonly used to fund educational technology. Beginning by researching state grants and other state-level funding, K–12 leaders can start preparing to go after these types of state resources to prepare for the upcoming school year.

Benefits of partnerships with vendors and educational consortiums 

Vendors are set up to support schools with their grant applications and compliance. Cooperative purchasing agreements allow multiple districts to buy hardware, software and IT services in bulk at discounted rates. Partnerships with educational consortiums and government procurement programs is another way to lower the cost of access to high-quality tech. 

Additionally, some ed-tech companies and nonprofit organizations offer support for digital learning initiatives, device replacements and teacher training programs. For example, Hāpara has been able to help some schools obtain funds to purchase their products since they align with several of the federal funding requirements.

Investing in scalable classroom technology solutions

Cloud-based tools are scalable making them a resource efficient option for schools and districts. Investments in technology that adapts to current needs can help educators manage classroom learning during times of uncertainty. 

Long-term savings from improved classroom management tools that streamline tech integration.

Devices in students’ hands means educators need to adopt a new approach to managing the classroom that supports digital instruction while keeping students safe. To help students stay focused and engaged while learning online, Hāpara’s classroom management tools work seamlessly alongside Google Workspace for Education apps including Docs, Slides, Drawings or Sheets. 

Hāpara Highlights gives teachers visibility into what students are doing online during class time in the Google Chrome browser. While students do schoolwork online, teachers are able to guide them in practicing responsible digital citizenship with Highlights. Features allow teachers support learners by: 

• Opening and closing tabs to keep learners focused
• Creating guided browsing sessions
• Sending instant announcements with formative feedback to learners
• Recording a snapshot of browsing progress

Hāpara Teacher Dashboard shows each student’s most recent Google files so teachers can quickly discover across the class, how individuals or group members are progressing through class activities. This structure frees time teachers would spend monitoring student activity and gives them more time on making instruction meaningful and helping learners progress.

Providing secure learning environments that support student success

In spite of budget constraints, educators can still provide safe and focused learning environments that support students as they work to develop their skills and knowledge. Hāpara’s educational management software can help schools in establishing a stable classroom atmosphere that promotes success for students and teachers alike.

To maximize instructional time while providing secure online learning opportunities for students, many schools use Hāpara Highlights in the classroom. With Hāpara Highlights, teachers can take students to specific websites to engage them with learning resources. Conversely, the tool helps teachers reroute students from certain sites to keep them away from distractions during class while they gain the skills they need to work online independently.

Educators can also easily provide their students personalized and differentiated support with Highlights or Hāpara Teacher Dashboard. With visibility into students’ digital learning journey, educators can routinely give students direct formative feedback. This clear and timely feedback helps students understand what they need to improve so they advance more quickly toward their academic and future goals.