Assessing the National Landscape of Capital Expenditures for Public School Districts

This report examines the inequities in capital expenditures for school facilities across the United States, particularly as they affect students from low-income backgrounds. It finds that students living in poverty are significantly less likely to attend schools in good or excellent condition and often reside in districts that receive less capital outlay funding than their wealthier counterparts. The study reviews state-level policy approaches and highlights that while strategies vary, states with targeted equity policies can successfully reduce disparities. Key recommendations include the necessity for standardized assessments of school building conditions, increased or initiated state support for capital expenditures, and funding formulas that consider both property wealth and student economic need. The report also calls for greater federal involvement through data collection, targeted grants, and policy guidance to address and close persistent gaps in school infrastructure funding.

Authors: Kristin Blagg, Fanny Terrones, Victoria Nelson