Charter School Funding: Less Money for Fewer Obligations

[Catshrink]

Charter School Funding: Less Money for Fewer Obligations

Study finds that different requirements explain much of the funding gap between charter schools and traditional public schools


BOULDER, Colo., and TEMPE, Ariz., June 29, 2010 - A new study released today finds that charter schools typically get less funding than the traditional public schools with which they compete. But it also finds that those traditional public schools have additional obligations, accounting for much or all of those funding differences.

<snip>

Miron and Urshel also point out that, compared with traditional public schools, charter schools spend proportionally more on administration - in the percentage of overall spending that goes to administrative costs, as well as in the salaries they pay administrative personnel. Overall, however, charter schools spend less than traditional public schools: less on instruction, less on student support services and less on teacher salaries and benefits.

<snip>

"On first appearance, charter schools receive less revenue per pupil ($9,883) than traditional public schools ($12,863)," Miron and Urschel find. Yet, they add, this direct comparison "may be misleading." States vary considerably in the way they channel funds to charter schools. Moreover, public schools provide - and receive funds for - certain services that most charter schools do not. While public schools receive revenues and spend money for such services as special education, student support services, transportation, and food service, charter schools (with few exceptions) spend far less on these services - which largely explain the differences in revenues and expenditures for charters compared with traditional schools.

More:

http://www.epicpolicy.org/newsletter/2010/06/charter-school-funding-less-money-fewer-obligations