Financing Quality Education for All

Funding, efficiency, and equity in education
In OECD countries the average expenditure on primary and secondary education institutions is about 3.5% of GDP. The investment in education has large implications for economic development and the proper functioning of democratic institutions, as well as overall well-being. However, clear consensus and guidance on which system leads to the best educational outcomes is lacking. This volume describes the resource allocation for compulsory and special needs education for a selection of well-performing countries and regions on PISA tests. By studying the funding systems in well-performing countries and regions the authors identify the elements in the respective funding systems that are associated with best outcomes and have the ideal characteristics to pursue particular goals of education systems such as equity and efficiency. The funding methods of primary and secondary education as well as special needs education are covered.

Ebook available in Open Access.
This publication is GPRC-labeled (Guaranteed Peer-Reviewed Content).

List of Figures

List of Tables

Chapter 1. Introduction

Chapter 2. The choice of countries and regions2.1 British Columbia
2.2 Estonia
2.3 Finland
2.4 Flanders
2.5 Massachusetts

Chapter 3. Overview of education systems3.1 British Columbia
Expenditure on education
Approach to special needs students and language minorities
The autonomy and providers of education
3.2 Estonia
Expenditure on education
Approach to special needs students and language minorities
The autonomy and providers of education
3.3 Finland
Expenditure on education
Approach to special needs students and language minorities
The autonomy and providers of education
3.4 Flanders
Expenditure on education
Approach to special needs students and language minorities
Autonomy and providers of education
3.5 Massachusetts
Expenditure on education
Approach to special needs students and language minorities
Autonomy and providers of education

Chapter 4. Funding formulas4.1 British Columbia
Primary schools
An example a primary school budget in the district of Mission Secondary schools
An example of a secondary school budget in the district of Mission Support for special needs students
A case study on special needs funding in the district of Mission A case-study of the funding formula in the district of Mission
Summary of the education funding system in British Columbia and the district of Mission
4.2 Estonia
Primary schools
An example of a primary school budget in Estonia Secondary schools
An example of a secondary school budget in Estonia Special needs schools
An example of a an additional funding calculation for special needs students in Estonia Summary of the Estonian education funding system
4.3 Finland
Primary schools
An example of a primary school in a municipality in Finland Secondary schools
An example of a secondary school in a municipality in Finland Special needs schools
The case of the municipality of Hanko
An example of a school in a municipality in Finland Summary of the Finnish education funding system
4.4 Flanders
Primary schools
An example of a primary school board budget in Flanders Secondary schools
An example of a secondary school board budget in Flanders Special needs education
An example of the budget of a school with special needs students in Flanders Summary of the Flemish education funding system
4.5 Massachusetts
The mechanism behind the formula
The calculation of allocations
An example of a primary school district budget in Massachusetts Required local contribution calculation
Filling the gap with Chapter 70 education aid
An example of a secondary school district budget in Mas­sachusetts Effective funding per student
Funding outside the main formula
Summary of the education funding in Massachusetts

Chapter 5. Conclusions Summary of the funding formulas in the selected regions and countries
Discussion

Appendix

List of primary sources British Columbia
Estonia
Finland
Flanders
Massachusetts

References

Kristof De Witte

Kristof De Witte is professor at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven and holds the chair in Effectiveness and Efficiency of Educational Innovations at United Nations University (UNU-MERIT) at Maastricht University.

Vitezslav Titl

Vitezslav Titl is doctoral researcher in political economy at KU Leuven. Prior to his doctoral studies, he finished traineeships at the European Parliament and the German Development Institute.

Oliver Holz

Oliver Holz is assistant professor at KU Leuven, where he works in the teacher training programme. He is affiliated with the research group Leuven Economics of Education Research.

Mike Smet

Mike Smet is assistant professor of Research Methods at the Faculty of Economics and Business at KU Leuven. He is affiliated with the research group Leuven Economics of Education Research.