New York’s Foundation Aid Formula: Recommendations for Improvement
ALBANY, N.Y. (NEXSTAR) — The Rockefeller Institute of Government released a report on December 2 with detailed recommendations to update New York’s Foundation Aid formula, which determines how and where the state distributes money earmarked for public education.
Long-Term Strategies and Immediate Changes
The 314-page report, titled "A review of New York State’s Foundation Aid education funding formula with recommendations for improvement," outlines long-term strategies alongside changes that legislators could implement immediately. It makes the case for ongoing, regular reviews every five years to ensure the formula stays relevant.
Understanding the Current Formula
The current formula is 17 years old, and the Rockefeller Institute notes that it falls short of today’s needs. The report highlights the current reliance on outdated data and failure to meet the needs of a modern student. The formula’s two major issues are inequity in the funding process and unpredictability for school administrators planning budgets.
Recommendations for Improvement
The report suggests phasing in changes immediately or over three or five years, prioritizing high-impact adjustments like updating cost-of-living metrics and more funding for English instruction. The formula could scale funding based on how much instruction a student needs to learn English well, giving more to schools whose students need intensive services. Changing the formula to reflect the actual cost of educating ELLs could transform districts like Buffalo, Rochester, and Yonkers, which have significant ELL populations.
Modernizing the Formula
The report recommends modernizing the way we account for poverty by replacing the outdated FRPL data in the formula with federal poverty estimates. Using a three-year average of Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates would be more representative. The report also suggests taking out the Regional Cost Index from the formula and substituting it with the annually updated Comparable Wage Index for Teachers, a better reflection of the rising cost of living and regional labor costs.
Conclusion
The Rockefeller Institute’s report provides a comprehensive analysis of New York’s Foundation Aid formula and offers practical solutions for improvement. By implementing these recommendations, the state can ensure a more equitable and efficient distribution of funding for public education.
FAQs
Q: What is the Foundation Aid formula, and what does it do?
A: The Foundation Aid formula determines how and where the state distributes money earmarked for public education in New York.
Q: Why is the current formula outdated?
A: The current formula is 17 years old and fails to meet the needs of modern students, relying on outdated data and ignoring the changing costs, student populations, and expectations for academic success.
Q: What are the two major issues with the current formula?
A: The formula’s two major issues are inequity in the funding process and unpredictability for school administrators planning budgets.
Q: What are the recommended changes to the formula?
A: The report suggests phasing in changes immediately or over three or five years, prioritizing high-impact adjustments like updating cost-of-living metrics and more funding for English instruction.
Q: How will the proposed changes benefit schools?
A: The changes will provide more funding for schools with high-need students, such as those with English language learners, and provide a more accurate reflection of the actual cost of educating students.
