School Funding Through Property Taxes Perpetuates Racial Education Inequality

U.S. schools rely heavily on local property taxes, creating a direct link between neighborhood wealth and school quality. Districts serving predominantly Black students receive an average of $1,800 less per pupil than predominantly white districts. In states including Illinois, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey, the gap exceeds $3,000 per pupil. The system translates the legacy of residential segregation — itself a product of redlining — directly into unequal educational opportunity.