Funding Gaps
The approximate per-student spending difference between the highest and lowest funded school districts in Santa Clara County.
What is $5,000?
Percentage of students in Santa Clara County lack reliable internet access at home.
What is approximately 10%?
Name a teacher experience in Santa Clara County’s wealthier districts compare to that in lower-income districts.
What is wealthier districts typically have more experienced teachers?
The graduation rate difference between higher-income and lower-income high schools in Santa Clara County.
What is about 10-15% higher in higher-income schools?
The availability of specialized support staff (e.g., counselors, nurses) differ between high-income and low-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What are lower-income schools have fewer specialized support staff per student?
Name of a school district in Santa Clara County known to have one of the highest funding disparities.
What is Palo Alto Unified School District?
Name one initiative Santa Clara County has implemented to improve technology access for students.
What is San José Digital Inclusion Partnership?
Name a significant challenge faced by teachers in lower-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What is high turnover rates?
Name the demographic group(s) in Santa Clara County’s schools most affected by achievement gaps.
What are Latino and African American students?
Name the impact limited access to quality preschool programs have on students in lower-income areas of Santa Clara County.
What are lower readiness for kindergarten and ongoing academic challenges?
Name a factor that contributes most to the funding disparities among schools in Santa Clara County.
What is Property tax revenue?
Percentage of teachers in lower-income schools in Santa Clara County report inadequate access to instructional technology.
What is approximately 25%?
Name the average teacher retention rate in higher-income versus lower-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What is higher-income schools have a retention rate of over 90%, while lower-income schools have about 70%?
Name major barrier(s) to college readiness for students in lower-income high schools in Santa Clara County.
What are limited access to college counseling and preparatory courses?
Name key difference(s) in faculty quality between higher-income and lower-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What are lower-income schools often have older buildings with more maintenance issues and fewer modern amenities?
Funding gap affecting extracurricular activities in lower-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What are reduction or elimination of programs such as sports, arts, and clubs?
The digital divide in Santa Clara County impacted students during remote learning periods.
What is Increased learning loss and lower engagement among students without reliable internet access?
How do teacher salaries in Santa Clara County compare between high- and low-income districts
What are salaries?
Generally, salaries are higher in high-income districts, contributing to retention challenges in lower-income areas?
Palo Alto USD $92,000
Alum Rock UESD $75,000
Additionally, high-income districts often have better benefits and professional development opportunities, which further attract more experienced educators. Lower-income districts struggle with higher turnover rates and fewer resources for professional growth, impacting teacher retention and, consequently, student outcomes.
Standardized test scores in math and reading differ between high-income and low-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What are students in high-income schools score significantly higher on average?
Percentage of schools in lower-income areas of Santa Clara County report inadequate facilities compared to those in higher-income areas.
What are approximately 60% of schools in lower-income areas report inadequate facilities, compared to about 20% in higher-income areas?
Name one major policy proposal aimed at reducing funding disparities in Santa Clara County schools.
What is implementing a more equitable funding formula that redistributes resources based on student needs?
Name one successful program in Santa Clara County that has helped bridge the technology gap for students.
What is East Side Union High School District’s Chromebook Distribution Program?
Name the professional development support most requested by teachers in lower-income schools in Santa Clara County.
What is training on addressing diverse student needs and trauma-informed teaching practices?
Initiatives being implemented to close the achievement gap in Santa Clara County.
What are programs such as AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) and targeted tutoring services?
Major difference in the availability of advanced coursework (such as AP or IB programs) between higher-income and lower-income high schools in Santa Clara County.
What is higher-income high schools in Santa Clara County offer significantly more advanced coursework options, with around 80% offering AP or IB programs, compared to only 30% of lower-income high schools?