Michigan recognized for its work to address concentrated poverty in public school funding

Michigan was recently named as one of 13 states, along with the District of Columbia, for developing a “meaningful policy” to address concentrated poverty by EdFund, an organization that conducts research and policy on how to improve public school funding. 

Michigan was cited for its significant efforts to address the needs of students from low-income backgrounds through the creation of the Opportunity Index in 2023. The Opportunity Index, which was championed by EdTrust-Midwest and our partners, is a new school funding formula in state law providing additional funding based on school districts’ rates of concentrated poverty.  

EdFund’s new Concentrated Poverty Project highlights the unique challenges faced by communities where there are high rates of poverty, including research demonstrating how high rates of concentrated poverty can have a negative impact on students’ academic achievement and outcomes. 

Despite Michigan’s efforts, our state lags leading states in funding the needs of students from low-income backgrounds. Read more about EdTrust-Midwest’s recommendations to address their needs here.