Here are the 10 most and least equitable school districts in Oklahoma, and why

Oklahoma's education system has long been known for its poor national rankings, but a new list has been released showing how equitable Oklahoma's school districts are in their funding.

An equitable school is one that makes decisions based on the principles of fairness, according to Oklahoma City Public Schools, and uses resources or strategies to improve each student's unique needs with the intention of leading to equality of academic outcomes.

WalletHub ranked 506 Oklahoma school districts from most to least equitable, based on average household income and expenditures for public elementary and secondary schools per pupil.

Low-income districts are more than twice as likely to have a funding gap than affluent districts, and the average funding gap is $6,700 per pupil, according to a report by The Century Foundation.

“If we make sure that every school district has equitable funding, students in less affluent communities will have a level playing field with students in wealthy districts," said Jill Gonzalez, WalletHub analyst. "As a result, their graduation rates will increase, as will their likelihood to pursue higher education and earn larger incomes."

Here are the top 10 most and least equitable school districts in Oklahoma.

Most equitable school districts in Oklahoma

1. Barnsdall School District, with $10,759 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $60,200
2. Pawhuska School District, with $15,047 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $40,625
3. Gracemont School District, with $12,797 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $50,850
4. Thackerville School District, with $11,613 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $56,389
5. Coalgate School District, with $14,440 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $43,533
6. Erick School District, with $12,068 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $54,583
7. South Rock Creek School District, with $8,246 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $72,000
8. Waukomis School District, with $10,207 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $62,353
9. Fort Gibson School District, with $10,020 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $63,950
10. Grand View School District, with $13,936 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $45,323

Least equitable school districts in Oklahoma

497. Frontier School District, with $21,864 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $62,031

498. Darlington School District, with $11,868 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $110,114

499. Pioneer-Pleasant Vale School District, with $20,286 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $73,933

500. Maple School District, with $16,016 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $100,417

501. Balko School District, with $25,928 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $56,875

502. Burlington School District, with $22,556 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $73,750

503. Bray-Doyle School District, with $26,331 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $62,396

504. Taloga School District, with $34,220 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $59,375

505. Oakdale School District, with $9,896 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $173,214

506. Freedom School District, with $45,119 in spending per pupil and an average household income of $47,279

More:These are the top 10 best high schools in Oklahoma, according to U.S. News & World Report

How Oklahoma schools were ranked from most to least equitable

The study gave each school district a score for expenditures, removing one point out of 50 for each 1 percent above the state's average, and for income, adding one point onto 50 for each 1 percent above the state's average — or vice versa for each 1 percent below the state's average.

The final score was found by taking the absolute difference between these two scores for each district. The districts with the least difference were ranked higher.

Oklahoma ranked 48th in education in 2023

The U.S. News & World Report each year ranks America's states based on factors like healthcare, education, economy and crime. Overall, Oklahoma ranked 43 on the list in 2023, and 48 for education.

More specifically, Oklahoma ranked 49 in Pre-K-12 education, and 35 in higher education.

For Pre-K through 12th grade, the ranking weighs each state's college readiness of high school graduates, high school graduation rate, eighth-grade math and reading scores and preschool enrollment.

Where do schools get their money in Oklahoma?

Overall, Oklahoma has the 24th least equitable schools in the nation, according to the study.

School districts in Oklahoma get their money from property taxes and a few other small revenue sources at the local and state levels. But the largest amount of money for nearly all public schools in Oklahoma comes from the state legislature's appropriations.

Lawmakers not only determine how much money will be given to public schools each fiscal year, but also how the money will be divided.