LCFF-induced spending increases of $1,000 per pupil for 3 consecutive years produced roughly a full grade-level increase in math and reading achievement in grades 3–8¶

Claim · All claims
Evidence · 1 study (2 entries) · causal r2 · q2
Currency · newest study 2023 · not yet checked against its sources · not reviewed by a person

Subclaims¶

q2 i? A $1,000 increase in per-pupil spending experienced in 3 consecutive years led to roughly a full grade-level increase in math achievement in grades 3–8, relative to prior average performance. → Johnson 2023 q2 i? The same $1,000, 3-year spending increase produced a full grade-level increase in reading in elementary and middle school grades. → Johnson 2023 (2)

Evidence¶

Johnson 2023¶

Johnson, R. C. (2023). School funding effectiveness: Evidence from California's Local Control Funding Formula. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/529.194

q2 · i? · causal · r2

Quasi-experimental analysis (2SLS-IV difference-in-difference and regression kink designs) of longitudinal administrative data for California public school students, exploiting the staggered LCFF rollout. Figure 9 shows math impacts of roughly 0.94–0.98 grade-level equivalence, significant at the .001 level.

"the results indicate that a $1,000 increase in per-pupil spending experienced in 3 consecutive years led to roughly a full grade-level increase in math achievement in grades 3 –8, relative to what the average student achieved prior to the funding increases."

Johnson 2023 (2)¶

Johnson, R. C. (2023). School funding effectiveness: Evidence from California's Local Control Funding Formula. Learning Policy Institute. https://doi.org/10.54300/529.194

q2 · i? · causal · r2

Same quasi-experimental spending analysis, reading outcome (Figure 10); printed estimates run roughly 0.94 to 1.04 grade-level equivalence across grades 3–8, each significant at the .001 level per the figure note.

"the estimated LCFF-induced effects of a $1,000 increase in per-pupil spending experienced in 3 consecutive years also resulted in a full grade-level increase in reading in elementary school and middle school grades."

Discussion¶

Related Claims¶

• LCFF-induced per-pupil spending increases caused improvements in math and reading achievement in districts receiving concentration grants — related
• LCFF-induced spending increases significantly improved math and reading achievement in every grade assessed, with the largest gains in districts receiving concentration grants — related
• Student outcome improvements from LCFF funding were more pronounced for cohorts exposed to funding increases for more of their school-age years — related
• Spending effects varied across schools but were positive for every school that experienced the LCFF funding infusion — related
• LCFF-induced spending increases reduced suspensions and expulsions, with larger effects for boys and the most pronounced effects for Black students — related
• Increases in per-pupil spending improve educational attainment, wages, and adult poverty outcomes, with stronger effects for low-income children — related
• U.S. school funding is highly inequitable: districts serving the most students of color spend $1,800 less per student, and wealthier districts spend two to three times what the poorest can — related
• Per-pupil spending on English Learners in California was only about $1,000 more than for non–English Learner peers in recent years — related
• LCFF-induced spending increases reduced the probability of grade repetition, particularly in elementary school — related
• Increased per-pupil spending across all 12 years of public school is associated with more completed education, higher wages, and reduced adult poverty, with larger effects for low-income children — a broader claim this one bears on