Nationally, high-poverty districts spend 15.6 percent less per student than low-poverty districts do, according to U.S. Department of Education. The inequality at the heart of America's education system is money. The discrepancies occur largely because public school districts in much of America are run by local cities and towns and are funded by local property taxes. High-poverty areas have lower home values and collect less taxes, and so can’t raise as much money as places where homes are worth millions of dollars. Should the state be required to correct these discrepancies? Are there any lawsuits in Florida regarding funding inequalities in Florida? Lower spending can irreparably damage a child’s future, especially for kids from poor families. A 20 percent increase in per-pupil spending a year for poor children can lead to an additional year of completed education, 25 percent higher earnings, and a 20-percentage-point reduction in the incidence of poverty in adulthood, according to a paper from the National Bureau of Economic Research: https://www.nber.org/papers/w20847

This special edition of Justice For All was recorded on location at the Historic Classroom at Venue 1902 in Sanford.

GUESTS:

• Melissa Erickson, Executive Director, Alliance for Public Schools
• Holly Bullard, Chief Strategy and Development Officer, Florida Policy Institute
• Dr. Larry Walker, UCF Department of Educational Leadership and Higher Education Program