School funding is where public schools get their money and how it is spent. Most comes from state and local sources, such as property taxes and state aid, with a smaller share from the federal government. Federal money often comes as grants tied to special purposes, such as students with disabilities.
People usually ask why funding differs among districts, how state formulas work, and what federal grants pay for. They also ask how emergency relief funds were used, how money for special education is handled, and how support reaches districts that serve military or low-income families.
An independent team explaining how government works
Most debates about American school funding start in Washington, even though Washington supplies the smallest share of the money. In fiscal year 2024, states provided 45.2…
Across the United States, many public school districts operate near or encompass federal properties, including military installations, Indian lands, and national parks. While these federal activities…
The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) is the cornerstone federal law protecting educational rights of children with disabilities across the United States. First enacted in…
The Governor’s Emergency Education Relief Fund, or GEER, was a federal pandemic fund that let governors direct emergency support to schools, colleges and other education organizations.…
EANS provided pandemic assistance to eligible private schools through states, with limits on reimbursements, eligibility, spending, and equipment ownership.
ESSER funding supported school operations and pandemic learning recovery. Spending rules, research findings and the funding cliff explain its lasting effects.
See how federal COVID education relief reached districts, colleges and students, what schools bought, when spending ended, and how to check local awards.
Federal formula grants serve as a vital mechanism through which the government invests in the nation's schools and districts. For educators, administrators, policymakers, and…
The Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) is the cornerstone of federal involvement in K-12 education in the United States. Signed into law on December…
Since its passage in 1965, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) has stood as the cornerstone of federal investment in K-12 education in…
