Missing Middle—Federal Funding by Grade Span, Fiscal Year (FY) 2019

Evidence demonstrates that investments in high school turnaround efforts have succeeded. Moreover, research shows that the current federal strategy of investing in the early years and in postsecondary education, while largely skipping over middle and high schools, is unlikely to yield the greatest returns. The Missing Middle depicts federal funding across the grade spans for FY 2019 and highlights the disparities in federal funding for middle and high schools.

This chart updates All4Ed’s 2015 report, “Never Too Late: Why ESEA Must Fill the Missing Middle,” which explains why the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act must include a more coherent, evidence-based policy of reform and investment that equitably supports and recognizes middle and high schools.