Kimberly Nava
Grand Canyon University: EDA-535
October 21, 2013
Introduction
Distributing funds to schools is a daunting task, especially when school funding comes only from state tax dollars. Schools in the state are not allowed to levy local taxes, so a plan must exist to ensure that the distribution of funds is equitable and adequate for all schools in the state. In preparation of a plan, using Average Daily Attendance (ADA) versus Average Daily membership (ADM) should be considered. According to Meador (n.d.), “Average Daily Membership (ADM) is a specific count of enrollment at a particular site collected at various times throughout the school year. ADM drives school funding and local, state, and federal data collection. ADM is more consistent than Average …show more content…
A student can miss five straight days and negatively impact ADA but have no impact at all on ADM.” Average Daily Attendance (ADA) is the total number of days a student is in attendance divided by the total number of days in the school year. Using ADA encourages regular attendance in schools and the thought is that it will in turn maximize student achievement. Providing adequate and equitable funding ensures students are provided with the resources needed for learning and academic achievement. This paper discusses why ADA versus ADM should be considered and what are the advantages of using ADA versus ADM in allocating state money to school districts. The paper also discusses how to equalize funds