Title:
OPTIMIZING WEIGHTED STUDENT FUNDING: IMPROVING EDUCATIONAL EQUITY FOR ENGLISH LEARNERS AND STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES

Authors:
Zhikang Rong

Abstract:
This research examines the impact of Weighted Student Funding (WSF) on educational outcomes for English Learners (ELs) and students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), we applied Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) and Monte Carlo simulations to assess how variations in funding affect the provision of services and academic performance for these populations. The findings reveal a significant positive correlation between increased WSF allocations and improved outcomes for ELs and students with disabilities. The research fills a critical gap in the literature by providing robust empirical evidence on how targeted funding improves equity in education, offering concrete recommendations for policymakers based on the results

Keywords:
Weighted Student Funding, Educational Equity, English Learners, Hierarchical Linear Model

DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37500/IJESSR.2024.7518

Date of Publication: 23-10-2024