All students deserve to go to excellent, well-funded schools.
Policies that base funding on community wealth and ignore the real costs ofeducating all students hurt everyone, especially students of color, students from families with limited incomes, and students who require additional programs, supports and services.
Learn more about IDRA’s work to ensure fair school funding for all students below.
Since its founding, IDRA has worked to make sure schools are funded fairly. Unfortunately, we continue to have funding systems that benefit some students more than others. Students who live in communities that are able to raise a lot of money through property taxes often have more resources for school buildings, high-quality teachers, counselors and learning materials. Their fellow students who live in poorer districts – because of a history of racial segregation and intentionally harmful housing and economic policies – do not have access to the same important resources.
IDRA supports families, communities, and students – particularly students from families with limited incomes, students of color, English learners, and others – who demandaccess to great, well-fundedschools. We advocate sustainable policies that accuratelyidentify the cost of education for all students and fund all schools fairly.
Public funds should remain in public schools, with oversight from local communities.
Policies that funnel much-needed resources to charter schools, private school vouchers, and other similar programs hurt traditional public schools and the students and families they serve.
Traditional public schools receive public funds, are operated by publicly-elected school boards, and should be held accountable by the communities, families and students they serve. Public governance, engagement and accountability are critical parts of ensuring strong schools for all students.
Unfortunately, there is a growing movement to invest in charter schools, voucher programs, education savings account, and other programs that funnel money away from the public schools that are open to all students, toward privately-run schools and individual families.
IDRA collaborates with students, families, and other advocacy organizations toprotect and improve traditional public schools. Our research and advocacy aim to challenge the narratives that lead to bad policies and practices that harm public school students.
Resources on Keeping the Public in Public Education