A New America report argues that states can improve educational equity by redrawing school district boundaries to reduce fiscal and demographic disparities. It models three approaches: blank-slate districts, county-aligned districts, and targeted mergers. The report finds that all three approaches increase equality of access to local property tax revenue and improve racial and economic integration, with blank-slate redistricting yielding the largest gains. Despite methodological limitations, the report provides policymakers a useful framework for considering redistricting as a tool to address educational inequities, and highlights the need for further research comparing redistricting with other equity strategies.

Suggested Citation: Cleveland, C. & Almes, J. (2026). NEPC Review: Redrawing the lines: How purposeful school system redistricting can increase funding fairness and decrease segregation. Boulder, CO: National Education Policy Center. Retrieved [date] from https://nepc.colorado.edu/review/redistricting