Weighting for Equity: The Impact and Challenges of Weighted Student Funding Implementation

Abstract

This mixed-methods study examines the impact and implementation of Nevada’s weighted student funding (WSF) model that targets funding to students with the greatest need. We use event study models to analyze student achievement data from 2017–2018 to 2021–2022 and qualitative in-depth interviews with school district and school administrators to explore perceptions of the new funding model. Our quantitative findings suggest that Nevada’s WSF helped improve student achievement overall, but it did not mitigate achievement disparities between targeted and non-targeted students. Our qualitative data reveal administrators’ implementation concerns, especially in designing programming to support students intending to benefit from the additional funds. Our findings highlight the tension between WSF’s two distinguishing features—targeted funding based on student needs and school administrator autonomy.

Keywords

finance equity achievement mixed methods school finance

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