We study the progressivity of state funding of school districts under Tennessee's weighted student funding formula. We propose a simple definition of progressivity based on the difference in exposure to district per-pupil funding between poor and non-poor students. The realized progressivity of district funding in Tennessee is much smaller--only…

In a major development in the state politics of resource allocation, two rival political movements--school finance reform supporters and spending/tax limitation supporters--are going to confront each other in several states. (Author/IRT)

Examines the extent to which Minnesota's current school finance program satisfies the criteria of fiscal neutrality, equalization of fiscal effort, and accommodation of educational need. (Author/IRT)

Very little progress has taken place in achieving greater fiscal neutrality. The change in definition of local school district wealth produced a significant redistribution of basic subsidies with the relatively poorer districts receiving less funds. (Author/IRT)

Seven people knowledgeable about school finance discuss the effects of finance reform at the state level. (IRT)

Explores the issues and context surrounding the impact of changes and reforms in state systems of public school finance on lighthouse school districts. (Author/IRT)

Historically, school finance has been concerned with three things: adequate provision, equity, and efficiency. While the first of these has been substantially achieved with free public education and a stabilizing student population, recent court cases remind us that the term "adequate educational program" has never been conclusively…

Elaborates on distinctions between different formulations of taxpayer equity. First, taxpayer equity is examined from the school finance perspective, then notions of taxpayer equity that are more consistent with public finance views, but that can and have been applied to education, are introduced. (Author/IRT)

Suggests that Florida's finance formula to relieve interdistrict cost-of-living differences fails to equalize school district attractiveness. (DW)

Reviews the history of finance reform in California beginning with the Serrano decision and ending with an explanation of Assembly Bill 65. It remains to be seen if AB 65 meets the requirements of the Serrano decisions. (Author/IRT)

Instead of removing differences based on wealth, the state distributions and the local differences are being confounded by changing educational needs prompted by declining enrollments. (Author/IRT)

The new state aid formula implemented in 1974-75 resulted in little real change in the allocation of state resources to local school districts. (Author/IRT)