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.

Braidwood, IL School Funding Gaps & Adequacy

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CSAChicago-Naperville MSAChicago-Naperville-Elgin#220/341 Population

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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

107.9%

Adequacy Gapi

$4.2M

Funding vs. Needi

Coal City C U School District 1104.04%

$29.2M funded$28.1M target

Reed Custer C U SCH Dist 255u141.5%

$28.0M funded$19.8M target

Wilmington C U SCH Dist 209u77.09%

$14.1M funded$18.3M target

District Detail

Coal City C U School District 1Tier 4

104.04% funded

At or above 100% of adequacy — fully funded

The state estimates it costs $28.1M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $29.2M in resources — that's 104.04% of what it needs. This district meets or exceeds its funding target.

What it needsi

$28.1M

What it hasi

$29.2M

From the statei

$1.4M

This district is better funded than 80% of districts statewide.

Reed Custer C U SCH Dist 255uTier 4

141.5% funded

At or above 100% of adequacy — fully funded

The state estimates it costs $19.8M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $28.0M in resources — that's 141.5% of what it needs. This district meets or exceeds its funding target.

What it needsi

$19.8M

What it hasi

$28.0M

From the statei

$1.2M

This district is better funded than 96% of districts statewide.

Wilmington C U SCH Dist 209uTier 2

77.09% funded$4.2M gap

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

The state estimates it costs $18.3M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $14.1M in resources — that's 77.09% of what it needs. There's a $4.2M gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$18.3M

What it hasi

$14.1M

From the statei

$3.3M

This district is better funded than 38% of districts statewide.

Statewide Tier Distributioni

Tier 1: 36

Tier 2: 579 (yours)

Tier 3: 96

Tier 4: 221 (yours)

Braidwood, IL School Funding Gaps & Adequacy