The "At-Risk" program was created to direct more state funding to low-income students and close achievement gaps. More than $350 million of the nearly $2 billion total increase went to At-Risk funding but School Districts don't have to spend this money for the exclusive benefit of students deemed "At-Risk". So a good portion is spent for other purposes. Meanwhile, achievement gaps are getting worse! So even Legislators' best intentions of getting increased funding to those students is derailed by a broken system and no real accountability for school districts.
