State Support of Educational Facility Construction: A Policy Study

This study examines the extent to which states fund local school district school construction and renovation projects and explores the governance of that funding. It determines the different types of funding assistance that state departments of education provide to local school districts for their educational facilities and what state-level policymakers and administrators have currently mandated to ensure equity in school facilities for all students. Major findings show that most states fund school construction projects utilizing either full funding, equalization grants, percentage matching grants, flat grants, or state loans. Construction funding, however, is a low priority in the majority of states. Thirty-six percent of the states do not address equity among facilities within the state. State distinctions between funds for construction of new facilities and funds for renovation are minimal. Recommendations are offered that include the need for state evaluation of the adequacy and effectiveness of their current capital outlay provisions, the need for facility equity policies, and a greater need to address the decaying infrastructure of America's schools. (Contains 10 references.) (GR)