Under power equalization, local school tax revenues would be supplemented with State aid in such a way that all school districts that levy the same local tax rate would receive from State and local sources combined the same total income per pupil. To accomplish this the State would supplement local tax collections in low wealth school districts…

The school finance reform movement of the 1970's got a fast start in August 1971 when the California Supreme Court announced its decision in Serrano v. Priest. In the 20 months following the Serrano decision, scores of school finance suits were filed throughout the country. The momentum initiated by the California Supreme Court was clearly on the…

There is a growing sense that education policymakers need to become more sensitive to the inequities and inefficiencies associated with the generation of local resources for education, particularly the property tax. The purpose of this book is to provide insight into issues surrounding the generation of local revenues for public education in…

Behind the concept of power equalization is the assumption that at any specified tax rate every school district in a State, regardless of wealth, has the same dollar resource level per pupil. A State established schedule of local district funding level choices related to tax rates is essential; however, tax levels are always a product of the…

Full State assumption of educational finance would (1) distribute educational resources according to children's learning needs, rather than local property values, (2) provide a wide range of subject and topic choices to students, (3) remove financial barriers now confining low income areas, (4) encourage State governments to raise educational…