List of FiguresList of Tables Chapter 1. Introduction Chapter 2. The choice of countries and regions2.1 British Columbia2.2 Estonia2.3 Finland2.4 Flanders2.5 MassachusettsChapter 3. Overview of education systems3.1 British Columbia Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities The autonomy and providers of education3.2 Estonia Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities The autonomy and providers of education3.3 Finland Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities The autonomy and providers of education3.4 Flanders Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities Autonomy and providers of education 3.5 Massachusetts Expenditure on education Approach to special needs students and language minorities Autonomy and providers of education Chapter 4. Funding formulas4.1 British Columbia Primary schools An example a primary school budget in the district of Mission Secondary schools An example of a secondary school budget in the district of Mission Support for special needs students A case study on special needs funding in the district of Mission A case-study of the funding formula in the district of Mission Summary of the education funding system in British Columbia and the district of Mission4.2 Estonia Primary schools An example of a primary school budget in Estonia Secondary schools An example of a secondary school budget in Estonia Special needs schools An example of a an additional funding calculation for special needs students in Estonia Summary of the Estonian education funding system4.3 Finland Primary schools An example of a primary school in a municipality in Finland Secondary schools An example of a secondary school in a municipality in Finland Special needs schools The case of the municipality of Hanko An example of a school in a municipality in Finland Summary of the Finnish education funding system4.4 Flanders Primary schools An example of a primary school board budget in Flanders Secondary schools An example of a secondary school board budget in Flanders Special needs education An example of the budget of a school with special needs students in Flanders Summary of the Flemish education funding system4.5 Massachusetts The mechanism behind the formula The calculation of allocations An example of a primary school district budget in Massachusetts Required local contribution calculation Filling the gap with Chapter 70 education aid An example of a secondary school district budget in Mas­sachusetts Effective funding per student Funding outside the main formula Summary of the education funding in Massachusetts Chapter 5. Conclusions Summary of the funding formulas in the selected regions and countriesDiscussion Appendix List of primary sources British ColumbiaEstoniaFinlandFlandersMassachusetts ReferencesFunding, efficiency and equity in educationIn OECD countries the average expenditure on primary and secondary education institutions is about 3.5% of GDP. The investment in education has large implications for economic development and the proper functioning of democratic institutions, as well as overall well-being. However, clear consensus and guidance on which system leads to the best educational outcomes is lacking. This volume describes the resource allocation for compulsory and special needs education for a selection of well-performing countries and regions on PISA tests. By studying the funding systems in well-performing countries and regions the authors identify the elements in the respective funding systems that are associated with best outcomes and have the ideal characteristics to pursue particular goals of education systems such as equity and efficiency. The funding methods of primary and secondary education as well as special needs education are covered.