Why Racial Equity in School Funding Is So Hard to Achieve

Roseann Liu, Assistant Professor of Educational Studies
Swarthmore College

The challenges facing urban school districts like Philadelphia’s often boil down to the need for more money. Through an inside look at the Pennsylvania state legislature and campaigns for fair funding, Liu will demonstrate how those responsible for funding maintain the privileges of majority-white school districts. Meanwhile, urban districts that serve primarily Black and Brown students are perennially underfunded. Liu is the author of the book Designed to Fail: Why Racial Equity in School Funding Is So Hard to Achieve.