Foundation allowance changes over time

From the first foundation allowance of $4,200 per pupil in 1994-95 to the $9,608 for the 2024-25 fiscal year, the path has been consistently inconsistent.

The nominal average annual increase since the foundation allowance began is $180. Adjusted for inflation, it is $276.

While it is worth pointing out that for most of the life of the foundation allowance, not all districts received the same change each year, the values below reflect the changes that MOST districts experienced (the amount formerly known as the "minimum foundation allowance"). Since 2021, annual changes have applied equally to all districts.

A graph of annual changes in the per-pupil foundation allowance over time