Investing in Improvement: A Critical Look at Funding for Low-Performing Schools

This paper examines the financial resources allocated to Comprehensive Support and Improvement (CSI) schools under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) in the United States. Our analyses demonstrate that CSI schools do receive additional funding and spend more than comparable non-CSI schools. However, we question whether the magnitude of this support is sufficient to promote meaningful improvement for these schools. Our research reveals that CSI schools receive and spend about $345 more per pupil compared with non-CSI schools, but to elevate low-performing schools to the average performance of non-CSI schools would require a significantly larger investment, between $8,000 and $21,000 per pupil yearly. The existing financial support associated with accountability designations is insufficient to support the improvement activities of low-performing schools. We argue for increased and sustained funding for low-performing schools, coupled with support in decision-making and accountability for resource allocation.