Abstract: This comparative study of school funding in charter schools and traditional public schools in 16 states and the District of Columbia finds that charters are significantly under- funded relative to district schools. The report, based on 2002-03 revenues, finds that, on average, the funding gap is 22 percent, or $1,800 per pupil. Researchers found that discrepancies are larger in most big urban school districts. In urban areas the gap widens to $2,200 per pupil. In cities like San Diego and Atlanta, charters receive 40 percent less than traditional public schools. The inequity is most severe in South Carolina, California, Ohio, Georgia, Wisconsin, and Missouri. The study finds that the primary driver of the district-charter gaps is charter schools' lack of access to local and capital funding. It includes detailed state-by-state and district financial and policy information, as well as recommendations for closing the funding gap.
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