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Educational justice and formula funding: A complex adaptive systems perspective.

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Title: Educational justice and formula funding: A complex adaptive systems perspective.
Authors: Gilead, Tal1 (AUTHOR) tal.gilead@mail.huji.ac.il, BenDavid-Hadar, Iris2 (AUTHOR)
Source: Educational Philosophy & Theory. Nov2025, Vol. 57 Issue 12, p1078-1089. 12p.
Subject Terms: *Funding formulas (Education), *Educational equalization, *Grants (Money), Nonlinear systems, Resource allocation, Complexity (Philosophy)
Abstract: This paper examines the philosophical foundations and practical challenges of funding mechanisms designed to advance educational justice, with a particular focus on needs-based funding formulas. These formulas are widely regarded as a key tool for promoting educational equity. Grounded in a critique of ideal theories of justice, the analysis highlights the limitations of traditional funding mechanisms that rely on assumptions of linearity, predictability, and an ordered educational system. It is argued that while these frameworks aim to promote equity, they often prioritize abstract ideals of justice over the complex, adaptive realities of education. Drawing on complexity theory, the paper advocates for a shift in promoting justice from static models to responsive approaches that account for the dynamic nature of education. It explores how factors such as path dependence, systemic diversity, and the interplay of internal and external influences challenge conventional assumptions about equity and resource allocation. To address these challenges, the paper proposes funding policies that are flexible, adaptive, and sensitive to local contexts, offering specific mechanisms to support this shift. By integrating normative and practical dimensions, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how funding formulas can be reimagined to better align with the realities of educational systems and more effectively promote justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Educational Philosophy & Theory is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Educational justice and formula funding: A complex adaptive systems perspective.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Gilead%2C+Tal%22">Gilead, Tal</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> tal.gilead@mail.huji.ac.il</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22BenDavid-Hadar%2C+Iris%22">BenDavid-Hadar, Iris</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Educational+Philosophy+%26+Theory%22">Educational Philosophy & Theory</searchLink>. Nov2025, Vol. 57 Issue 12, p1078-1089. 12p.
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  Data: *<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Funding+formulas+%28Education%29%22">Funding formulas (Education)</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+equalization%22">Educational equalization</searchLink><br />*<searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Grants+%28Money%29%22">Grants (Money)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Nonlinear+systems%22">Nonlinear systems</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Resource+allocation%22">Resource allocation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Complexity+%28Philosophy%29%22">Complexity (Philosophy)</searchLink>
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  Data: This paper examines the philosophical foundations and practical challenges of funding mechanisms designed to advance educational justice, with a particular focus on needs-based funding formulas. These formulas are widely regarded as a key tool for promoting educational equity. Grounded in a critique of ideal theories of justice, the analysis highlights the limitations of traditional funding mechanisms that rely on assumptions of linearity, predictability, and an ordered educational system. It is argued that while these frameworks aim to promote equity, they often prioritize abstract ideals of justice over the complex, adaptive realities of education. Drawing on complexity theory, the paper advocates for a shift in promoting justice from static models to responsive approaches that account for the dynamic nature of education. It explores how factors such as path dependence, systemic diversity, and the interplay of internal and external influences challenge conventional assumptions about equity and resource allocation. To address these challenges, the paper proposes funding policies that are flexible, adaptive, and sensitive to local contexts, offering specific mechanisms to support this shift. By integrating normative and practical dimensions, the paper contributes to a deeper understanding of how funding formulas can be reimagined to better align with the realities of educational systems and more effectively promote justice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Educational Philosophy & Theory is the property of Taylor & Francis Ltd and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1080/00131857.2025.2494584
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      – Code: eng
        Text: English
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        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational equalization
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      – SubjectFull: Grants (Money)
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      – SubjectFull: Nonlinear systems
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      – SubjectFull: Resource allocation
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      – SubjectFull: Complexity (Philosophy)
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              Text: Nov2025
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