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.

Examines the conflict between efficiency and equity in public education finance. Considers district power equalization (DPE), a compromise approach that would require raising tax prices in wealthy districts and lowering them in poorer districts. Simulations for three states show that a "pure" DPE plan would reduce expenditure variances…

Discusses racial inequality in educational funding and other educational opportunities throughout the United States. Argues that reliance on local taxes as a primary source of school funding and the sanctity of local school-district boundaries are the main institutional obstacles to the elimination of racial inequality. (CAJ)

This study of five metropolitan areas indicates increasing social and economic inequalities among suburban schools. In addition, the metropolitan areas seemed to be developing contiguous sectors of "advantaged" school districts and "disadvantaged" school districts. Financial differences are at the base of the inequalities, with high income/low tax…

This report examines factors that contribute to the differences in local education funding, per pupil revenue, and local resident ability to support present and future educational services in West Virginia. Based on a variety of data generated during 1989-92, the study indicates: (1) the differences in support for local education are attributed to…

A NEW BASIC CONCEPT IN FINANCING EDUCATIONAL SERVICES IS THE CHANGE FROM VIEWING SCHOOLS AS "STANDARDIZED-OPPORTUNITY-SYSTEMS" TO SEEING THEM AS "DIFFERENTIATED-OUTPUT-ACCOUNTABILITY-SYSTEMS." THE ACCOUNTABILITY SYSTEM OF FINANCE, REQUIRING A SUPPLY OF ANALYTICAL STUDIES TO GUIDE DECISIONMAKERS, WOULD HAVE THREE MAIN…

This book chronicles the history of school finance reform in Texas between 1968 and 1995. Specifically, the book focuses on the substantial changes in the method of funding Texas public schools, aimed at creating a more equitable system of educational opportunity. The author, Dr. Jose A. Cardenas, founded the Intercultural Development Research…