The court's finding invalidates New York State's system of financing schools because of problems including municipal overburden. (Author/IRT)

Discusses the factors that have reduced state revenues, the impact of the changes in revenues, and the financing of K-12 education. Forecasts an unprecedented decline in the fiscal health of many states during the next few years. (Author/WD)

Despite unfavorable publicity concerning public education's performance, 42 percent of Gallup Poll respondents give the schools in their community an A or B, and 33 percent assign them a C. Only 5 percent feel that schools are failing. Parents of public school students rate the schools even higher. Half of those surveyed would pay higher taxes to…

Presents criteria that have been clarified by recent court decisions in school finance cases and reform guidelines that have emerged from State action. (Author)

Identifies four causes of the public's skeptical attitude toward public education and needed remedies. The news media must paint a more balanced picture of public education. Educators must explain what they are doing and engage the public in productive conversation. Civility must be returned to educational discourse. We must agree as a nation…

Praises David Kearns' article in the same "Kappan" issue for characterizing schooling as a failed monopoly and supporting development of educational research capacity and tax support. Adequate funding is the key; whereas the private sector will spend over $6,060 yearly to train one employee, public schools spend only about $3,500 yearly…

The clear and unavoidable conclusion is that achieving equality is less important than maintaining inequality. Class inequality by school district is highly valued in American education. Unequal taxes will continue to finance unequal schools. That is how we finance schools in America. (Author)

U.S. taxpayers score lower on the "Forbes" Misery Index than taxpayers of other industrialized nations. A recent report concludes that public-school students challenge their schools more than private-school counterparts. Low birth weight and demographic factors (gender, poverty, and race) affect Florida's burgeoning special-education…

Although educational uses of computers and video seem to be increasing, no one knows exactly what kind of technology is used; what is available to teachers; or what is broken, worn out, or in unopened boxes. The technology revolution is proceeding slowly in schools, due to insufficient time, money, and taxpayer commitment. (MLH)

Public education is not highly supported by the American public, who put economics first. The GI Bill and Cold War era prove that point. Schools have suffered from bad press, ultraconservatism, provincialism, teacher nonprofessionalism, commercialism, gambling, student fundraising, misplaced government/parental priorities, an uninviting work…