Funding

Funding dictates what is possible in policy. Without adequate education funding, it is not possible to implement innovative ideas, create new policies or strengthen existing ones.

Our work focuses on how money supports systems across the education spectrum — from early learning through workforce development — and across the country in all 50 states and territories.

Recently Published Resources

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Policy Levers to Advance Credential Transparency

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Policy Brief

Innovative State Strategies for Using ESSER Funds

State and local education agencies received approximately $190 billion in Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funds — one of the largest federal investments in K-12 education in U.S. […]

State Information Request: Equitable Special Education Funding

Updated Sept. 25, 2023 A state policymaker asked our policy team for information on how states fund special education services and equitable funding approaches for these services. Our response provides […]

50-State Comparison: State Financial Aid Barriers for Students Impacted by the Justice System

The rising cost of postsecondary education is a barrier many students face, and it may be felt even more acutely by individuals impacted by the justice system. While the FAFSA […]

Ed Note Blog Posts

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K-12

4 Models States Use to Fund Secondary CTE

Secondary career and technical education programs support a wide range of initiatives to ensure students succeed in postsecondary education and the workforce. CTE programs rely on various funding sources including […]

K-12

Connecticut Uses ESSER Funding to Evaluate Long-Term Investments

Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief (ESSER) funding has provided a historic investment in public education. States have leveraged ESSER funding to support a number of innovative initiatives, including extended […]

Postsecondary

The U.S. Supreme Court Considers Student Debt Forgiveness

Today marks the beginning of oral arguments in the Department of Education v. Brown and Biden v. Nebraska Supreme Court cases. These two legal challenges may determine the fate of […]

Early Education (P-3)

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As Federal Relief Funding for Early Care and Education Fades, States Step In

Federal COVID-19 relief funds have been a lifeline for early care and education programs, but this funding is temporary. With deadlines approaching, states have an opportunity to push forward policies […]

K-12

What Can We Expect in the 2023 Legislative Sessions?

With new legislative sessions beginning, we can learn what education policy trends potentially await in the 2023 sessions by looking at which bills were enacted in 2022 and what early […]

K-12

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Trends in State Allocations of ESSER Funds

After passing the Sept. 30 deadline for states to allocate CARES Act relief funds, states are on track to spend the first round of Elementary and Secondary School Emergency Relief […]

K-12

Filling in the Gaps of Teacher Compensation

Salary, retirement and health benefits are key components of a teacher compensation package, but state leaders have taken additional steps to address compensation along the teacher pipeline, from preparation to […]

K-12

States Advance K-12 Funding Equity in 2022

As 2022 legislative sessions wrap up and state budgets get finalized in many states, a clearer picture is now available on what funding choices states are making this year. While […]

K-12

4 Ways State Leaders Can Lower Teacher Pension Costs

$63 billion. That’s how much states and school districts spent on teacher pension plans in 2020 — the last year complete national data was available. To put it in perspective, […]

K-12

Addressing Teacher Shortages by Adjusting Teacher Salaries

Earlier this year, New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham called on National Guard members and state workers to serve as substitute teachers — a short-term effort to avoid closures and shifts […]

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