Source: The State Journal-Register
The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability said that more than 89 percent of the new education money in last year’s state budget went to districts designated at Tier 1 schools – those that were furthest away from their adequacy targets. Another nearly 10 percent went to districts designated as Tier 2, which are considered slightly better off financially and slightly closer to meeting adequacy targets. “In other words, in its first year, the (new formula) has begun to reverse Illinois’ ignoble tradition of inequitably funding public education,” the report said. “However, there is much work to be done.” The report said that 83 percent of the state’s 707 school districts remain below their adequacy levels, something the new formula is intended to eventually eliminate.