In California, a half century after the landmark "Serrano v. Priest" decision overturning the state's public school finance system because of the inequality between the state's school districts, a significant amount of wealth-based inequality in per-pupil expenditures continues to exist. One of the sources of this inequality is the…

Funding for California's schools has reached record-high levels, although the pandemic has exacerbated longstanding inequities in student outcomes. As policymakers grapple with questions around how much to fund schools and how that funding should be distributed, existing research can provide insights into where and how to use additional funds to…

With rising state and local revenues--and significant one-time federal funds in 2020-21 and 2021-22--California policymakers now have greater capacity to invest in public schools. At the same time, longstanding racial and income disparities motivate calls to provide funding more efficiently and equitably. This policy brief is adapted from Julien…

California introduced the local control funding formula (LCFF) in 2013-14 to provide more equitable educational funding for school districts that were historically underserved. LCFF established base, supplemental and concentration grants to replace the earlier streams of funding in communities that serve students who are English learners, qualify…

This article discusses the impact of changing student demographics on financing education and on our national wellbeing. We begin by examining the research of current student demographics and their relationship to learning and education costs. We then calculate a 1% cost factor from the average per-pupil expenditure based on the 2011 "Digest…

Half the decline in California's public school spending is due to a 1971 Supreme Court ruling that required equal spending per pupil across school districts throughout the state. Enrollment increases have also contributed to the decline. (JOW)

Discusses possible future trends in educational finance following the California court decision in Serrano vs Priest. (JF)

In addition to the financial problems created by the Serrano decision and by inflation, some districts are also challenged by declining enrollments. Published by California School Boards Association, 800 9th Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, California 95814. (Author/WM)

Analyzing the public school finance questions that have been brought before the public by Serrano vs Priest in California, the study demonstrates that California's traditional school financing system has not been equitable or efficient in meeting the needs of Chicano students. (NQ)

Summarizes comments on the future of educational finance in California from people and agencies identified as having an impact on the legislature and the governor. Published by California School Boards Association, 800 9th Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, California 95814. (WM)

The Serrano decision provides an opportunity to create an equitable school finance system that guarantees every child in California a quality education. No major financial reform is likely unless the current system is declared unlawful. Published by California School Boards Association, 800 9th Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, California 95814.…

The format of this monograph follows essentially the arrangement of the day-long conference on Serrano vs. Priest: a major paper presentation, followed by a panel of three respondents, and subsequent general discussion involving the audience and conference participants. The editors have attempted to provide both the formal and the extemporaneous…

This paper is part of a collection of 54 papers from the 48th annual conference of the Education Law Association held in November 2002. It addresses education finance litigation generated by "Serrano v. Priest." (Considered a landmark decision of the Supreme Court of California, "Serrano" resulted in victory for funding-equity…

The authors contend that a solution to the problems raised by the "Serrano" decision is impossible without an understanding of the basic facts of public education in California. Size, cost, discrepancies, and ranking in relationship to other states and the nation are advanced to place California's public school system in clearer focus.…