What is the Evidence-Based Funding (EBF) model?

State funding formulas calculate an 'adequacy target' for each district based on student needs (poverty, English learners, special education) and compare it to available local resources. Districts furthest from their target receive the most new state funding.

What does the funding gap mean?

The funding gap is the difference between what a district needs (its adequacy target) and what it currently receives from all sources. A district at 90% of its adequacy target has a 10% funding gap. States aim to bring all districts to at least 90% adequacy over time.

How are EBF tiers determined?

Districts are grouped into four tiers based on their percentage of adequacy: Tier 1 (below 70%), Tier 2 (70-90%), Tier 3 (90-100%), and Tier 4 (above 100%). New state funding flows primarily to Tier 1 and Tier 2 districts to close the biggest gaps first.

Ladd, IL School Funding Gaps & Adequacy

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School Funding — FY2026i

NCES

State funding formulas determine whether your school districts have enough money. Here's where they stand.

How School Funding Works

State funding formulas calculate an Adequacy Target for each district, the estimated cost to provide an adequate education. Districts are then compared against that target.

Districts are assigned to Tiers 1-4 based on their percentage of adequacy. Tier 1 districts (most underfunded) receive the largest share of new state funding.

Tier 1: Below 60% of adequacy

Tier 2: 60% to below 90% of adequacy

Tier 3: 90% to below 100% of adequacy

Tier 4: At or above 100% of adequacy

Source: State Education Funding Data

Avg % of Adequacyi

76.6%

Adequacy Gapi

$2.3M

Funding vs. Needi

Hall High SCH Dist 50272.49%

$4.6M funded$6.4M target

Ladd Comm Cons School Dist 9479.98%

$1.9M funded$2.4M target

Dalzell School District 9899.06%

$650K funded$657K target

District Detail

Hall High SCH Dist 502Tier 2

72.49% funded$1.8M gap

60-90% of adequacy — receives moderate new state funding

The state estimates it costs $6.4M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $4.6M in resources — that's 72.49% of what it needs. There's a $1.8M gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$6.4M

What it hasi

$4.6M

From the statei

$2.7M

This district is better funded than 19% of districts statewide.

Ladd Comm Cons School Dist 94Tier 2

79.98% funded$484K gap

60-90% of adequacy — receives moderate new state funding

The state estimates it costs $2.4M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $1.9M in resources — that's 79.98% of what it needs. There's a $484K gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$2.4M

What it hasi

$1.9M

From the statei

$525K

This district is better funded than 50% of districts statewide.

Dalzell School District 98Tier 3

99.06% funded$6K gap

90-100% of adequacy — receives limited new state funding

The state estimates it costs $657K to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $650K in resources — that's 99.06% of what it needs. There's a $6K gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$657K

What it hasi

$650K

From the statei

$387K

This district is better funded than 76% of districts statewide.

Statewide Tier Distributioni

Tier 1: 36

Tier 2: 579 (yours)

Tier 3: 96 (yours)

Tier 4: 221

Ladd, IL School Funding Gaps & Adequacy