Investment and Funding Equity for Public Education

The Center for American Progress knows that money matters in education. Funding affects every aspect of a high-quality, well-rounded education, and there are both racial and socioeconomic disparities in investment and opportunities. States and districts are facing extreme inequities in funding, and at the same time, federal investment in education currently covers only about 8 percent of funding. We are fighting for a dramatic increase in investment and more equitable funding systems so that schools and students receive the resources they deserve.

One major CAP proposal in this priority area is Public Education Opportunity Grants. This federal grant program would significantly increase federal funding for K-12 education and target it to schools that need it the most.

Latest

Compact View

A Minnesota Tribal College Teaches Law Enforcement in Effort To Put More Native Americans ‘Behind the Badge’ Article
Jamie Allen of the White Earth Police Department conducts a demonstration for LLTC students.

A Minnesota Tribal College Teaches Law Enforcement in Effort To Put More Native Americans ‘Behind the Badge’

In the second installment in a three-part series on Tribal colleges and universities (TCUs), the Center for American Progress and American Indian College Fund look at Leech Lake Tribal College’s law enforcement degree program and the college’s work on cultural revitalization and basic needs insecurity.

Marcella Bombardieri, Dina M. Horwedel

Budget Reconciliation Must Support a Quality Education for All Students Report
Third grade students take part in class at Julia A. Stark Elementary School in Stamford, Connecticut, on March 10, 2021.

Budget Reconciliation Must Support a Quality Education for All Students

Ensuring a quality education for America’s students during the COVID-19 pandemic will require a range of federal and state supports, as well as efforts to build a robust economy that works for everyone.

Khalilah M. Harris, Jessica Yin, Arohi Pathak, 3 More Laura Dallas McSorley, Marshall Anthony Jr., Jill Rosenthal

Future of Testing in Education: Artificial Intelligence Report

Future of Testing in Education: Artificial Intelligence

Technology and artificial intelligence can vastly improve the types of assessments teachers use to guide students in their learning.

Laura Jimenez, Ulrich Boser

Future of Testing in Education: The Way Forward for State Standardized Tests Report

Future of Testing in Education: The Way Forward for State Standardized Tests

There are valid criticisms about the current structure of state standardized testing in schools; the solution is not to get rid of these assessments but rather to design them differently.

Laura Jimenez, Ulrich Boser

How To Ensure Equitable Access to Great Teaching Report
 (The Los Angeles Unified School District interim superintendent spends time with a kindergarten student to celebrate the first day of in-class instruction at an elementary school in Los Angeles, August 2021.)

How To Ensure Equitable Access to Great Teaching

The Center for American Progress proposes a new grant program to address the working conditions that contribute to job dissatisfaction and high turnover among the nation’s K-12 teachers in order to increase equal access to highly qualified teachers.

Bayliss Fiddiman, Lisette Partelow

How Students Can Help Build Better Education Policy Report
 (A student raises a hand during a seventh and eighth grade math tutoring workshop in Fullerton, California, November 2014.)

How Students Can Help Build Better Education Policy

The Education Department has an opportunity to reimagine the policymaking process by committing to incorporating student voice.

Ashley Jeffrey, Sadie Bograd

Load More

Related Priorities

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

Tackling Climate Change and Environmental Injustice

We pursue climate action that meets the crisis’s urgency, creates good-quality jobs, benefits disadvantaged communities, and restores U.S. credibility on the global stage.

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy

Restoring Social Trust in Democracy

Democracy is under attack at home and abroad. We must act to ensure it is accessible to all, accountable, and can serve as a force of good.

Building an Economy for All

Building an Economy for All

Economic growth must be built on the foundation of a strong and secure middle class so that all Americans benefit from growth.

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice

Advancing Racial Equity and Justice

We apply a racial equity lens in developing and advancing policies that aim to root out entrenched systemic racism to ensure everyone has an opportunity to thrive.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.