From the nefarious achievement gaps, to the racial isolation in increasingly segregated schools; from the digital divide that results in kids not having access to computers, to the poverty gulf that results in kids not having homes; from boys' reading difficulties and girls' problems with math, to the disparities among rural, suburban, and urban…

Briefly describes history of public-school funding, including tuition and charity-support schools and flat grants. Discusses contemporary school-funding approaches from the perspective of educational equity and educational adequacy: the foundation method, extra funding for poor children, and funding tied to student learning. (Contains 12…

The author contends that education is implicated in the perpetuation of social inequity if it continues to present itself as the institution through which equality of opportunity is realized. Educators will make a step toward equity when they recognize that students do not have equal opportunity. (MD)

In defining the concept of democratic capitalism, the author supports the idea that the goal of economic equity in our society is best served by ensuring equality of opportunity, not imposing equality of results. (MD)

The Bradley Foundation paid coauthor Charles Murray $1 million to write "The Bell Curve." This support typifies the highly ideological research favored by conservative foundations seeking to mold public policy. The book's key educational policy recommendation dovetails with Bradley's top educational priority: support for school choice…

Economic elitism cripples democracy. Political rights without the material conditions necessary for citizens to exercise their rights are meaningless. Education should empower students to recognize that economic rights are linked with political rights and both are grounded in basic humanity. (MD)

Conservative economists claim that educational-funding amounts and student-achievement levels are unrelated; that schools serving poor children should spend less money more wisely; and that spending increases to reduce inequities is money wasted. Public schools become the enemy, not economic and political injustice. A serious debate on educational…

Reviews research on the extent, causes, and consequences of the unequal funding of public schools within and among states. Describes state legal and legislative efforts to improve funding equity. (Contains 41 references.) (PKP)

Concentrates on discussion of a new wave of educational equity litigation involving state lawsuits in the late 1980s and the 1990s seeking the integration of economically segregated schools. Earlier waves include federal racial desegregation decisions beginning with "Brown v. Board of Education" in 1954 and financial equity decisions…

Research indicates that school microcomputer use is associated with the wealth of the school district. Wealthier districts are more likely to utilize the higher level uses of the computer, whereas less affluent schools tend to use computers in computer-assisted instruction of the drill and practice variety. (MLF)

Summarizes the findings from the report "Barriers to Excellence: Our Children at Risk," which shows that American education still fails low-income, minority, and learning disabled students. Presents recommendations for change. (MD)

Academic performance differences among children from varied socioeconomic and ethnic backgrounds are unacceptably large. Instead of waiting for U.S. society to solve its inequity problems, educators must prepare all children to achieve their full potential. Educators should think of all children as promising, use early-intervention strategies, and…

A Paterson (New Jersey) teacher criticizes well-meaning prescriptions for educating students for a civil society. Reforms based on skills-based instruction and test-driven assessment are failing. Inequality is the core issue. Schools cannot compensate for class and racial inequalities, particularly if inequitable funding mechanisms persist.…

A state-subsidized system allowing low-income families to choose private schooling could fulfill the nation's democratic aspirations. All parents would be empowered to make the kinds of choices enjoyed by wealthier families. The quality and efficiency of education could then approach the levels achieved by other nations. Includes four references.…

Nonpublic school educational choice proposals are largely derived from monetarist economic and social theory and exemplify right-wing privatization goals. The U.S. health care system has plenty of competition among insurers, hospitals, and doctors; but it is the most expensive, least equitable system in the industrial world. The mystical belief…