Providing additional funding for education of students from low-income families is a constant factor in public education. The amount of additional funding provided may hinge on many elements, one element could include the percentage or concentration of students from low-income backgrounds in a particular school. This concept rests on the premise that the challenges of instruction of students with low-income families are compounded when students from low-income families make up a high percentage of the student-body. The Stakeholder Group of the Study…

As reported in the Herald Mail, Maryland Association of Boards of Education representative Donna Brightman is questioning the interim reports of the Study of Adequacy of Funding for Education in the State Of Maryland. For example, the school size study recommends that the state establish maximum school sizes and begin a competitive grant program to pay for school construction and renovations. The maximum cost of construction through this program would be $2.5 billion. Brightman said she and…

A recent report by consultant APA Consulting for the Maryland State Department of Education reviewed Maryland's method of counting low income school students and made some suggestions. APA Consulting is providing this report as part of the Study of Adequacy of Funding for Education in the State of Maryland. The number of low-income students in schools has a bearing on federal and state school funding because formulas and grants reflect the strong correlation between students…

Enrollment changes by school district have been uneven across the state, and the effects are substantial - particularly as state funding does not truly reflect any differential between fixed costs and variable costs. These are among the findings of a key report released this month and discussed by school funding stakeholders this week in Annapolis. The ongoing Study of Adequacy of Funding for Education in the State Of Maryland, and a stakeholder group comprising representatives…

The final school size report has been published and posted on The Maryland State Department of Education (MSDE) website. The School Size report's Executive Summary sets forth two recommendations: The research team has suggested enrollment limits based on the points at which schools in Maryland start becoming both less cost efficient and less productive. These enrollment limits are set at 700 students for elementary schools, 900 students for middle schools, and 1,700 students for high schools.…

Maryland is amidst an effort to study the adequacy of its overall school funding formulas, with a multi-stakeholder advisory group guiding efforts of several hired consultants. That effort is expected to yield several work products before the end of this year, which may guide continued policy decisions regarding school funding. The MSDE "Study of Adequacy of Funding for Education in the State Of Maryland" is profiled in an online site hosting documents and meeting agendas…