Education experts presented to Alabama lawmakers on Thursday, outlining the deficiencies in the state’s current education funding model known as the Foundation Program. They noted a decrease in per-student spending and insufficient support for students with special needs. The Foundation Program, which has not been updated in 30 years, saw a significant decline in per-student funding over the years, falling below the national average.
Experts suggested a move towards a student-based funding model, where school districts would receive funding based on the number of students with special multipliers for students with special needs. The current system assumes that 5% of students have special needs, while in reality, it’s closer to 18%.
Lawmakers expressed concerns over potential tax increases or the reallocation of funds between districts in adopting a new funding model. State Superintendent Eric Mackey clarified that increasing taxes or shifting local funds was not the only way to adopt a student-based model.
The legislative committee studying the issue emphasized that any alternative funding model that involves shifting local funds would be a non-starter. They emphasized that the transition to a new funding model would be a long-term process.
Alabama is one of five states yet to adopt a student-based funding model, prompting the creation of the committee to address this issue. Lawmakers are still in the early stages of considering potential legislation to change the state’s education funding model.
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