Students are heading back to class in districts around the state, many virtually, some in-person, and others in some sort of hybrid combination. A recent study of 179 districts in the state by the finance website WalletHub, focused on Georgia’s Most and Least Equitable School Districts. Analyst Jill Gonzalez explains.
“When we’re talking about equity we’re not just talking about making things equal for people, we’re making sure people who need more help, can get it.”
She says there are long-term benefits to increasing equity.
“States that provide equitable funding to all school districts can help prevent poor students from having lower graduation rates, or lower rates of perusing higher education and smaller future incomes.”
Depending on the degree, college graduates have $460 to more than $1,100 higher median weekly earnings than people with a high school diploma.
In spite of significant disparities in many schools, Clarke County actually ranked fairly high on the list.
“Clarke County School District ranked 17th overall, so out of 180 districts, that would be in the top 10%. The average income for the county is around $37,000. The expenditures per people are around $13,000, so that is a very good ratio.”
Clarke was followed by Oglethorpe County at 18th. Jefferson schools came in at 28th, Barrow at 75th, Madison at 78th, Jackson at 155th , and Oconee at 175th.
Lowndes County was the most equitable school district in the state, while City Schools of Decatur were among the least. Georgia was ranked 16th out of all states on the list.
For more information, visit:
https://wallethub.com/edu/e/most-least-equitable-school-districts-in-georgia/77068/.
