Alabama Considers Overhaul of School Funding Formula

Alabama lawmakers are exploring significant changes to the state's K-12 school funding formula, which has remained unchanged for 30 years. The proposed formulas aim to allocate funds based on student needs, including those of low-income students, students with disabilities, and English learners, rather than solely on enrollment numbers. Rep. Danny Garrett emphasized the necessity for reform to better support diverse student populations and enhance educational outcomes. The potential new funding models could increase state education spending by between $713 million and $825 million over five years, while not raising taxes. The commission is working towards a proposal for the next legislative session, hoping to align Alabama's funding structure with more modern practices adopted by 41 other states. However, the specifics of the funding increases remain illustrative and will require consensus among lawmakers.