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.

Lockport, 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

89.8%

Adequacy Gapi

$53.8M

Funding vs. Needi

Valley View CUSD #365u81.3%

$195.6M funded$240.6M target

Lockport Twp HS Dist 20587.84%

$52.6M funded$59.9M target

Homer Comm Cons SCH Dist 33c107.85%

$52.9M funded$49.0M target

Will County School District 92137.5%

$26.4M funded$19.2M target

Lockport School Dist 9191.87%

$6.6M funded$7.2M target

Taft School District 9079.46%

$3.2M funded$4.0M target

Fairmont School District 8997.21%

$4.5M funded$4.6M target

District Detail

Valley View CUSD #365uTier 2

81.3% funded$45.0M gap

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

The state estimates it costs $240.6M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $195.6M in resources — that's 81.3% of what it needs. There's a $45.0M gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$240.6M

What it hasi

$195.6M

From the statei

$51.4M

This district is better funded than 53% of districts statewide.

Lockport Twp HS Dist 205Tier 2

87.84% funded$7.3M gap

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

The state estimates it costs $59.9M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $52.6M in resources — that's 87.84% of what it needs. There's a $7.3M gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$59.9M

What it hasi

$52.6M

From the statei

$3.9M

This district is better funded than 64% of districts statewide.

Homer Comm Cons SCH Dist 33cTier 4

107.85% funded

At or above 100% of adequacy — fully funded

The state estimates it costs $49.0M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $52.9M in resources — that's 107.85% of what it needs. This district meets or exceeds its funding target.

What it needsi

$49.0M

What it hasi

$52.9M

From the statei

$3.9M

This district is better funded than 84% of districts statewide.

Will County School District 92Tier 4

137.5% funded

At or above 100% of adequacy — fully funded

The state estimates it costs $19.2M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $26.4M in resources — that's 137.5% of what it needs. This district meets or exceeds its funding target.

What it needsi

$19.2M

What it hasi

$26.4M

From the statei

$1.4M

This district is better funded than 95% of districts statewide.

Lockport School Dist 91Tier 3

91.87% funded$583K gap

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

The state estimates it costs $7.2M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $6.6M in resources — that's 91.87% of what it needs. There's a $583K gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$7.2M

What it hasi

$6.6M

From the statei

$1.1M

This district is better funded than 68% of districts statewide.

Taft School District 90Tier 2

79.46% funded$819K gap

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

The state estimates it costs $4.0M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $3.2M in resources — that's 79.46% of what it needs. There's a $819K gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$4.0M

What it hasi

$3.2M

From the statei

$1.4M

This district is better funded than 48% of districts statewide.

Fairmont School District 89Tier 3

97.21% funded$129K gap

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

The state estimates it costs $4.6M to adequately educate all students in this district. The district currently has $4.5M in resources — that's 97.21% of what it needs. There's a $129K gap between what the district has and what it needs.

What it needsi

$4.6M

What it hasi

$4.5M

From the statei

$1.7M

This district is better funded than 73% of districts statewide.

Statewide Tier Distributioni

Tier 1: 36

Tier 2: 579 (yours)

Tier 3: 96 (yours)

Tier 4: 221 (yours)