Virginia Increases Funding for At-Risk Students

Virginia schools are gearing up for the new school year, with a boost in funding for those serving low-income students and at-risk populations. The state budget allocates $371.3 million over the next two school years for this purpose.

Lawmakers have redirected around $650 million annually and added approximately $180 million each year to enhance the at-risk program. Most localities have chosen to participate in this initiative, which aims to ensure adequate financial support for schools catering to low-income students in Virginia.

Recent data from the Department of Education reveals that at-risk students made up about 43% of Virginia’s total enrollment in the previous year.

Addressing Funding Gaps for Schools and Students

Following pleas from localities, the state has taken action to rectify Virginia’s longstanding underfunding of school divisions. A July 2023 study by the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission highlighted that Virginia schools receive 14% less state funding than the national average, translating to approximately $1,900 less per student annually.

Jeremy Bennett, the director of intergovernmental affairs for the Virginia Association of Counties, expressed gratitude for the increased state support to bridge the funding gap. He emphasized the need to align funding with the recommendations from JLARC to ensure a fair distribution of resources.

Del. Rae Cousins, who championed at-risk add-on legislation, emphasized the importance of providing additional resources to support at-risk students effectively, including more personalized instruction, enhanced meal programs, and extended school activities.

Local leaders point to funding discrepancies stemming from outdated formulas and support position limitations imposed during the Great Recession in 2007 as contributing factors to the financial challenges faced by schools.

Last summer, lawmakers took steps to address these issues by injecting $152 million into school support positions, although funding levels have yet to be fully restored.

Enhancing the At-Risk Program

Recognizing the deficiencies in the previous at-risk program, JLARC proposed revamping the program to align with contemporary educational standards. The recommendation entails designating the at-risk add-on program as a Standards of Quality funding program, emphasizing its critical role in delivering quality education to Virginia K–12 students.

JLARC researchers also proposed utilizing the federally-approved Identified Student Percentage (ISP) measure to determine funding allocations for at-risk programs, moving away from obsolete free lunch estimates.

Under the new program, funding allocation will be based on each school division’s weighted ISP, with 60% distributed via a flat per-student rate and 40% based on poverty concentration within each division.

Participating school divisions will receive a basic aid add-on of 11% per estimated at-risk student, supplemented by an additional add-on ranging from 0% to 37% based on the at-risk student population compared to other divisions.

Sen. Lashrecse Aird sponsored legislation to incorporate at-risk add-on funding into the Standards of Quality and update the funding formula to ensure optimal utilization of resources for high-need students.

Despite efforts to pass the legislation, a vetoed bill prevented the program from becoming a mandatory component of the Standards of Quality, highlighting the complexities in reforming educational funding policies.

The establishment of the Joint Subcommittee to Study Elementary and Secondary Education Funding aims to provide guidance on funding cost policies and offer recommendations to improve educational funding practices.

Local governments opting into the at-risk add-on program must provide a local match to access state funding, underscoring the collaborative effort required to uplift educational outcomes for at-risk student populations.