Fact Check: Public schools in the U.S. are funded by local, state, and federal taxes.

Fact Check: "Public schools in the U.S. are funded by local, state, and federal taxes."

What We Know

Public schools in the United States receive funding from three primary sources: local, state, and federal taxes. According to the U.S. Department of Education, during the 2020-21 school year, public school revenues totaled approximately $954 billion in constant 2022-23 dollars. The breakdown of this funding was as follows: 44% from local sources ($416 billion), 46% from state sources ($437 billion), and 11% from federal sources ($101 billion). This distribution illustrates that the majority of funding comes from local and state taxes, with federal contributions being significantly smaller.

Further supporting this, a report from USAFacts indicates that local and state governments contribute the majority of funding for public schools, with federal funding accounting for about 8% of total school funding. This aligns with findings from the Congressional Research Service, which also emphasizes the importance of local property taxes and state aid in financing public education.

Analysis

The claim that public schools in the U.S. are funded by local, state, and federal taxes is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The data from the National Center for Education Statistics is particularly credible as it is derived from comprehensive national surveys and is regularly updated. The report details the sources of funding and provides a clear percentage breakdown, reinforcing the claim's accuracy.

Moreover, the information presented in the PDF report on public school funding corroborates these findings by stating that public schools receive funding from local, state, and federal sources, with local and state governments being the primary contributors. The Wikipedia entry also aligns with this understanding, noting that state government aid is the largest source of funding, followed by local contributions.

While the federal government's contribution is relatively small, it is still a crucial part of the overall funding structure, especially during times of crisis, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, when additional federal assistance was provided. This context is important as it highlights the multifaceted nature of school funding and the reliance on various tax sources.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that public schools in the U.S. are funded by local, state, and federal taxes is accurate. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that while local and state taxes provide the majority of funding, federal taxes also play a role, albeit a smaller one. The comprehensive data from the U.S. Department of Education and other reputable reports substantiate this claim, making it a well-supported assertion.

Sources

1. COE - Public School Revenue Sources
2. PDF How Are Public Schools Funded?
3. State and Local Financing of Public Schools - Congress.gov
4. Public school funding in the United States
5. How are public schools funded? - USAFacts
6. Education Funding: State and Local Sources - FindLaw
7. How Is K-12 Education Funded? - The Peter G. Peterson Foundation