The debate about the relationship between funding on education and academic achievement has intensified. As local school districts face rising operating costs, they are examining ways to improve student outcomes, while remaining solvent and getting the best return for the money they spend.
Q: What is the "65% Solution" and who supports it?
A: This state-by-state effort - supported by a group called "First Class Education - would require school districts to spend at least 65% of their operating budgets on "classroom instruction." Supporters are engaged in a national campaign to pass initiatives in all 50 states and the District of Columbia by 2008. Other supporters of the plan are Grover Norquist, head of Americans for Tax Reform, and a number of conservative think tanks and pundits.
Q: How is classroom instruction" defined?
A: The definition, based on National Center on Education Statistics (NCES) data from local school districts, includes teachers' and instructional aides' salaries and benefits; instructional supplies; co-curricular activities, including field trips and athletics; and private school tuition for children with disabilities.
Q: What is not included in "classroom instruction?"
A: All student support services are excluded from this definition. Those services include libraries and librarians, related services personnel, school nurses, food service, transportation, plant operation and maintenance, and administration.
Q: Does the "65% solution" actually mean more money for education?
A: The "65% solution" would not provide additional funds for education. The funds added for "instruction" are funds redirected from the activities excluded from the "classroom instruction" definition. In almost every state, excluded activities would have to be cut to meet the 65% mandate. In addition, school districts would still have to find the funds for these activities, including funds for related services mandated for students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and most certainly for school administration and maintenance. In other words, this proposal redistributes education funds, but adds no new money.
Q: What impact would this initiative have on students?
A: Students may lose important student support services, including professionals who are critical to student learning and achievement. In addition, the loss of school food programs and transportation could impose serious difficulties for low-income and rural students in getting to school and in being prepared to learn.
Q: What is the status of the "65% solution?"
A: Several states have already acted on this initiative. In Texas, the Governor issued an executive order requiring school districts to spend at least 65% of their budgets in the classroom. The Georgia legislature passed the Governor's initiative, while the Louisiana legislature passed a resolution requesting the State Board of Education to revise its funding formula. In Kansas, the legislature passed a bill codifying the "65% solution" as a public policy goal. An attempt to use the ballot initiative in Washington State has failed. Ballot efforts and legislation are being considered in a number of other states across the country.
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