Evidence-Based Funding for Schools Receives D Grade After Eight Years

Recent evaluations of the evidence-based funding plan for education in specific school districts reveal concerning trends. Introduced in 2018, this initiative aimed to provide equitable funding primarily to the poorest districts, classified as Tier 1. However, data shows that the number of Tier 1 districts has decreased from 313 to 286 over eight years, raising questions about the effectiveness of the program.

The objective of the evidence-based funding plan was to ensure that all school districts achieve full funding by 2027. According to estimates, the Tier 1 and Tier 2 schools currently require approximately $5.6 billion in additional funding to meet this goal. Each year, the state allocates about $350 million in what is termed “new money,” with the majority directed toward Tier 1 and Tier 2 districts, which receive 99% of this allocation.

In Fiscal Year 2026, school districts in McHenry County classified as Tier 1 and Tier 2 require about $118 million in new funding to be considered fully funded. However, they are projected to receive only $3.1 million this year. The disparity is particularly evident in the allocation to Chicago Public Schools, which is set to receive approximately $76 million, accounting for around 25% of all new funding available.

The situation is most pronounced for Woodstock District 200, which has seen a significant reduction in funding. In Fiscal Year 2025, Woodstock received $2.5 million in new money, but this amount is expected to drop to about $500,000 in Fiscal Year 2026 after the district fell from Tier 1 to Tier 2 classification.

A critical factor contributing to these funding challenges is that the annual allocation of $350 million is not indexed for inflation, leading to a growing gap between required and available funding. This situation has prompted concerns that the state is falling further behind in its commitment to adequately support its most vulnerable school districts.

Jim Yaworski, a resident of Crytal Lake, has voiced his frustration, stating, “Our kids need adults to plan better. Evidence-based funding gets a D.” The ongoing struggles highlight the need for more effective oversight and planning from the State Board of Education to ensure that the original goals of the funding initiative can be met in the coming years.

As stakeholders continue to assess the long-term implications of these funding shortfalls, the focus remains on the urgent need for adjustments to the current funding model to better serve the educational needs of students across all districts.