03/29/2024

Building a Tool to Define “Adequately-Funded” Education

California’s second-largest school district is almost ready to answer a question that has prompted legal challenges across the nation: How much money translates to an adequately-funded student education?

San Diego Unified is nearing completion of what it’s calling an Adequacy Calculation Tool – an electronic mechanism that will allow it and others to accurately evaluate the relationship between existing resources and what’s actually needed to prepare students for success in college and career.

“In talking with the Legislature on this issue, the conversations have centered around the question, ‘Well, what do you mean by adequate?’” said Martha Alvarez, director of government relations at SDUSD.

“That got us at San Diego to think more proactively about how we could move the conversation across the state about what our schools need – what would a model school look like that would provide students with the educational setting and opportunity that they need to be successful,” she said.

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