What type of program aims to equalize funding between wealthier and poorer school districts?

Foundation programs are designed to ensure that all school districts, regardless of their wealth, have access to a minimum level of funding necessary to provide a basic education. These programs typically involve a funding formula that allocates state resources to districts based on specific criteria, including the district's property values, student enrollment numbers, and socio-economic factors. By doing so, foundation programs help to bridge the financial gap between wealthier and poorer districts, allowing students in all areas to receive a more equitable education.

The focus of foundation programs is on achieving equity in educational funding, which is essential for fostering a balanced learning environment across various socio-economic backgrounds. This equitable approach stands in contrast to other funding models that may not prioritize the equalization of resources, such as flat grant allocations that provide the same amount of funding regardless of a district's needs or tuition-based funding that requires students to pay for their education, often disadvantaging those from lower-income families.