The Supreme Court of Tennessee, in "Tennessee Small School Systems, Inc. v. McWherter," declared that Tennessee's method of financing its public schools violated the state constitution. The court's mode of analysis relies on the state equal protection clause rather than the state education clause. Examines implications for school finance…

The Texas supreme court upheld the constitutionality of Senate Bill 7 in a case referred to as "Edgewood IV." Three previous laws enacted to reduce fiscal disparities among Texas's school districts had been ruled unconstitutional by the Texas supreme Court. Summarizes the relationship between the legislation, the litigants, and the legal…

An amendment to the Alabama constitution, adopted in 1956 in an attempt to absolve the state from maintaining a public school system, was declared unconstitutional in August 1991 by the Montgomery County Circuit Court. Discusses the political circumstances surrounding the case, the court's decision, and the future course of education finance…

Briefly outlines the development of the modern educational equity case, then focuses on the problems of legitimacy and judicial review that confront state courts when reviewing education legislation. Addresses the debate over whether courts can effectively define the right to education and create the remedy. Claims the 1993 cases offer a highly…

Reviews implications for state educational equity suits of the funding formulas used in federal compensatory education laws. A state educational equity suit currently before the Illinois Supreme Court is discussed to show differences between the definitions of equity used in that suit and the one used in federal compensatory education funding…

Every state constitution, except that of Mississippi, has a provision for free public education. Explores the differences and similarities in language between the education clauses, the interpretation of education-clause language in school-finance litigation from 1973 to 1992, and how the differences in language might affect the outcome of future…

Describes and compares the legislative strategies adopted for school-based management reform, using the Chicago school district as the basis for comparison with New Zealand. Two major elements of reform analyzed are the organization and control of local school policy and administration and changes in school finance policy. (18 references) (MLF)

In July 1993, the Michigan legislature did away with the local property tax as a source of operating revenue for the public schools. Analyzes the implications of Michigan's school finance and education reform for fiscal equity, with particular emphasis on constitutional guarantees, equal protection of the laws, and educational quality. (112…

Analyzes the Massachusetts Supreme Judicial Court's decision in "McDuffy" and places it in the context of other state court decisions that have declared public school finance schemes unconstitutional. "McDuffy" requires the state legislature to provide additional money for poor school districts and strive to achieve a high…

Analyzes the studies on the correlation between school expenditures and student achievement. Examines the effects of court-ordered equalization of interdistrict spending. Discusses a possible change of focus in recent educational research on the cost/quality problem as scholars grow concerned with designing more efficient policies. (86 footnotes)…