by Ernie Strawser - Frontline Senior Advisor, Analytics
estrawser@frontlineed.com
Ohio’s school funding formula specific to per-pupil poverty funding creates winners and losers. Unfortunately, this funding is aimed at some of Ohio’s students with the highest need. In a prior article, Meghan Homsher and I outlined the "winner and loser" concept.
The intent here is to explain the foundation for the system of winners and losers in Ohio’s K12 poverty funding (DPIA). The formula relies on a per pupil amount of $422. However, only a few districts receive $422 per pupil and everyone else can receive much more or much less per pupil. How is this possible? Well – “just square it”. The first graph below shows the DPIA ratio-squared calculation result, and the graphs at the end provide detailed calculations.
As the statewide percentage moves up and down (or a district’s percentage moves up and down), the impact can be exponential. For example, if the 60% statewide average moves to 65%, the 99% district’s per pupil funding would decrease from $1,148.90 per pupil to $978.94. This approximate 15% drop in per-pupil funding is attributed to the district’s relative position compared to the statewide average. There was no decrease in the number of economically disadvantaged students served, but funding decreased. In this limited district example, all districts lose student funding. As the state navigates this increasing identification of economically disadvantaged students, perhaps consideration could be given to the core $422 per pupil and less to ‘just square it.’