Weighting or Weighting Factors

Definition:

In school finance, the term additional weighting is usually associated with the extra costs of providing services to certain types of students. These additional costs are quantified and then translated into an additional weighting. For example, secondary students (grades 7-12) in some states are provided an additional weighting of 0.25. This means that each secondary student counted for use in the formulas that calculate state aid has an adjusted value of 1.25 (1.0 + 0.25).

Importance:

The additional weighting factors selected are critical in determining adequate funding for schools. Typical Applications: Additional weightings are often used for "at-risk" students: students with disabilities, low-income students, and students learning English. Some states recognize the need for higher weightings as the percentage of students from poverty backgrounds increases. So that, a school with 80% low-income students receives more per low-income student than a school with only 10% low-income students.

Prepared by Molly A. Hunter, April 9, 2004