For the first time in U.S. history, a few mainland States finally enacted school finance laws that will achieve substantial intrastate resource equity, and a larger number of States took important steps in this direction. These States have translated the theory of equity into fact and, as such, they provide the operational models of school finance…

The author discusses the redistributive nature of the resource equalizer in the 1973 Illinois school finance reform and the political factors related to this redistribution. The result of the equalization plan was that Chicago, suburban, and secondary districts received increases in state aid. (Author/IRT)

This paper, one of three related documents, examines the distributions of general revenues and instructional expenditures across school districts in Michigan. It discusses the equal yield formula for the funding of public schools and examines how the formula has accomplished its objectives. The data indicate success in reducing the effects of…

This paper outlines an approach for adjusting state aid for differences in educational costs. The approach focuses on determinants of the variation in the prices of school inputs such as cost of heating fuel, ability of the area to attract teachers, and needs for student transportation. The system attempts to isolate that component of the…

The Commission made an in depth study of the entire tax structure of Connecticut and developed a model for tax reform for the State that would allow for lessening of inequities for many classes of taxpayers and create a more favorable climate for industry to increase employment for Connecticut people. This volume (the second of three) contains…

Equity must be viewed in terms of the pupils to be served in the schools, the citizens who support the schools, and general society which reaps the benefits from the public schools. Various sections of this pamphlet address themselves to the philosophical bases of the public schools, some of the directions provided by the courts, current financing…

State assumption of all responsibility for financing education would enhance equalization of educational opportunity, fix accountability for educational finance with the governor and the State legislature, accelerate measurement of student achievement, eliminate burdensome property taxes, and undercut the fiscal logic that now supports…

Faced with a December deadline imposed by the State's highest court, New Jersey's legislature will soon convene in an extraordinary special session to consider a controversial proposal for changing the State's system of financing public education. Discusses that proposal and the current system for school finance. (Author/JF)

Presents a series of viewpoints on current educational issues, in particular on educational finance. Equitable school financing is seen as having an uncertain future in light of the Rodriguez decision and the failure of Oregon's school finance plan. The cutback of federal impact aid has created problems for school districts in the education of…

Article discusses the Serrano v. Priest case and feels that unequal funding of school districts can not be justified by appeal to the unequal wealth of the communities in which they are located. (Author/GB)

Although constitutions of 50 percent of the States either stipulate or imply the obligation of State governments to ensure equality of educational opportunity, without a significant tax increase the obligation cannot be met. To be able to fulfill their obligations, States should be relieved of the rest of the welfare and medicaid burden through…

Three part article includes: 1) the case for full state funding; 2) the local school district's role; 3) the case for more federal funding. (Editor)

Describes the California System for financing its schools and discusses proposed laws to reform the system. (JF)

Comments on the upcoming Supreme Court decision in the Rodriquez case. (JF)