Eric Fruits, Vice President of Research at Cascade Policy Institute, submitted testimony to the Oregon Senate, who was holding a hearing on “Equity in Education Policy Proposals”

On Monday, September 21, Cascade’s Vice Policy of Research provided testimony to the Oregon Senate, who was holding a hearing on “Equity in Education Policy Proposals.”

Cascade urges the legislature to flip its education funding model. Instead of funneling money through its dysfunctional public school system, the state should support students directly by providing each student their share of the State School Fund.

On average, Oregon school districts receive about $10,500 per student (ADMr) from the State School Fund. If students aren’t getting adequate instruction from their public schools, they should get that money back to receive instruction elsewhere. States like Oklahoma and South Carolina have already taken advantage of similar ideas by reallocating much of their federal stimulus dollars directly to families to help them adapt to this school year.

Think of it as a money-back guarantee. If the public school isn’t working for your kids or your family, you should have a right to take that money and spend it somewhere that does.

Direct funding of students reduces inequities in school systems because it allows all students to have access to education alternatives. Almost 60% of public charter school students in the U.S. are Black or Hispanic. Imagine what these families could do with as much as $10,500 per student to spend on educational expenses.

If equity is the goal, school choice through direct funding of students is the surest and quickest path.