All Children are Equal Act Introduced


Last Updated: July 14, 2011
 

The All Children are Equal (ACE) Act was introduced July 12 in the U.S. House of Representatives by 11 original co-sponsors led by Rep. Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-PA).

HR 2485 addresses the inequities in the formula for distributing Title I funds by lowering the weights used in the number weighting brackets to inflate the student count in larger districts. Under current law, a district with at least 6,900 Title I students gains funding no matter how low the rate of student poverty. Large suburban districts with low poverty rates gain at the expense of most higher poverty districts, both rural and urban.

By lowering the weights used in the number weighting bracket, only the very largest — which also tend to be high poverty inner city districts — will continue to gain some, albeit less, benefit from number weighting.  Large low poverty district will experience the most impact.

In introducing the ACE Act, Rep. Thompson said it “recognizes that all children should be treated equitably under the law — regardless of geographic location.” Thompson said the Act “is a one of a kind bipartisan effort in what at times is an ever increasing polarized political landscape.

The Formula Fairness Campaign is reaching out to additional congressional offices seeking more co-sponsors. Ask your member of Congress to co-Sponsor the All Children are Equal (ACE) Act for a fair and effective Title I formula. Click here for information on how to contact your representative.

Read more about the All Children are Equal Act at the Formula Fairness Campaign website, or click here to read the complete text of the Act.