Missouri Charter School Funding Gap Persists After HB 1552

Missouri charter schools continue to receive substantially less per-pupil funding than traditional districts in the state's major cities, even after the 2022 funding reform known as HB 1552. The law increased revenues by roughly $4,000 for each charter school student, but a significant gap remains.

Prior to the reform, charter schools in St. Louis and Kansas City received about 30% less in total revenues per pupil than their district counterparts. Despite the recent increase, St. Louis and Kansas City districts still receive about $5,500 more per pupil than charters. As of the 2024-25 school year, both Saint Louis Public Schools and Kansas City Public Schools receive about $23,000 in local revenues per student. Charter schools, systematically excluded from these local revenues, receive far less.

Total funding per pupil in the rest of Missouri is almost $10,000 lower than in the two big urban areas. The cost of the HB 1552 reform is $189 million, a figure nearly triple the state's initial projections. If no action is taken, this annual cost will continue to rise as more students exit district schools for charters.

Enrollment trends and reform context

Charter enrollment has grown dramatically in Missouri's urban centers since the first schools opened in 1998. In St. Louis, charters now account for roughly 41% of total public school enrollment; in Kansas City, the figure is about 51%. Over the same period, enrollment in the traditional district schools has halved.

This shift mirrors trends in other American cities. Charter enrollment is approaching half of district public school populations in cities like San Antonio, Phoenix, and Flint, Michigan. Nationally, Missouri charters enroll 7.8% of America's public school students overall. Indianapolis charter schools crossed the 50% enrollment mark around 2021, which prompted legislative action for revenue sharing. The number of K-12-aged children in that city declined from nearly 100,000 to about 40,000, creating pressure to consolidate underutilized schools. In response, the Indianapolis Public Education Corp. Was created in 2023 to oversee equitable revenue sharing between district and charter schools.

Academic performance and requirements

Charter schools in Missouri have seen a significant increase in enrollment, with data showing students make more academic progress compared to traditional district schools. These schools must adhere to the same state content standards and testing requirements as traditional public schools. They also admit students regardless of race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Advocates argue the funding disparity is unjust. Griffith said, "It's time to recognize charter schools for the excellent education and options they provide and fund them accordingly."

The financial strain on the system is ongoing. As charter enrollment continues its upward climb, district revenues from a shrinking student base face corresponding decline, ensuring the debate over equitable funding will intensify.