Educational justice and formula funding: A complex adaptive systems perspective

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.