Does money really matter? Investing in the future of Hispanic students

This study examined the relationship between school funding and graduation rates of Hispanic students. Data from a purposeful sample of 147 Texas school districts identified as having a student Hispanic population greater than 75% were examined. Additionally, superintendents were interviewed to provide an in-depth understanding of the potential influence of school funding on the graduation rates of their district's Hispanic students. Results concluded that a relationship existed between: (a) school funding and graduation rates in small school districts; (b) school funding invested on dropout prevention programs and graduation rates; and (c) school funding and graduation rates for districts reporting up to a 50% LEP student population. Superintendents differed in their perceptions of what contributed to their district's graduation rates and school funding concerning graduating Hispanic students. Key Words academic programs, district size, graduation rates, Hispanic students, LEP students, Pre-Kindergarten, school funding