In the absence of incontrovertible performance data in support of, or opposition to, school vouchers, court decisions on their legality become increasingly important. Analysis of legal challenges provides a rich opportunity for scholars and policymakers to follow arguments for or against their positions. We present a chronicle of the litigation…

This research briefly summarizes a series of Ohio Supreme Court litigation known as "DeRolph v. State" and then measures the equality of expenditures among Ohio school districts. "DeRolph v. State" was a high-profile school finance adequacy case. Nevertheless, the high court continuously expressed concern for the financial…

This case, inspired by a real school district scenario, was developed for use in a graduate-level course in school finance. James Spencer had just been selected as the new superintendent of a low-income, 400-student, rural school district in need of many capital improvements. The previous superintendent had refused to hold a bond election because…

Discusses the property valuation system which is available for taxation by school districts to finance their educational programs. Contends that a shift in classification from property valuation to income may not solve the regional disparities in district wealth. (RJ)

Article deals with origins and results of the Serrano v. Priest case which led to California supreme court ruling that the state's school tax system, based on property taxes in individual districts, is unconstitutional. Ramifications of this case, and of ruling, for the other 48 states with similar laws are discussed. (PD)

Discusses the Serrano vs Priest and Rodriguez vs San Antonio Independent School District cases. (JF)

This is the first in a trilogy of policy briefs discussing public education and taxes. This brief discusses the challenge facing Texas in funding public education. It also explains why the Texas Supreme Court's recent decision in "West Orange-Cove II" requires increased state appropriations for public education.

The purpose of this directory is to provide interested organizations, their representatives, the press, the media, citizen groups, and other interested persons with a brief summary of selected organizations and their involvement in school finance reform. The directory is arranged alphabetically, listing the name and address of the organization,…

Draws attention to a few of the far-reaching implications contained in the 106-page opinion of Judge Bernard S. Jefferson regarding the Serrano case and the unconstitutionality of the California public school financing system. (Author/DN)

Recent court decisions -- the Rodriguez case decided by the United States Supreme Court and the Robinson case decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court -- have raised questions about the future of educational finance reform at the State level. In Rodriguez, the Supreme Court found no constitutional basis for mandating change in the Texas system;…

The meaning of the breakthrough Serrano decision on property taxes and events that have followed. (Author)

A not-so-friendly suit brought in 1874 produced a landmark decision that paved the way for today's public high schools. (Editor)

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

Discusses the Serrano vs Priest decision that ruled against the use of property taxes for support of schools in California. (JF)