Many recent critical reforms in state school finance systems have been catalyzed by the courthouse, not the statehouse. Advocates for equity-focused school finance reforms often consider legal action as the best path to significant policy changes. This brief discusses state-level lawsuits on adequacy and equity grounds and their outcomes.

This study considers the effectiveness of the Evidence-Based Adequacy model of school funding. In looking at the Evidence-Based Adequacy model for school funding, one researcher has been centrally associated with the development and study of this model. Allen Odden is currently a professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy…

An overview of recent state level policy developments and policy analysis research as related to equity and efficiency objectives in public school finance is presented. Emphasis is placed on identifying complementarities, rather than the tradeoffs, between equity and efficiency criteria. (Author/LC)

Argues that educational provision components satisfying private demands almost invariably prevail over their public goods components. People find educating other people's children more onerous than educating their own. This effect diminishes the supply of social benefits and stifles social mobility. The condition of black, inner city, and…

Reviews "Serrano vs. Priest,""San Antonio Independent School District No. 1 vs. Rodriguez," and cases litigated since 1977 that focus on the equalization of state school support programs. Notes a trend toward findings in favor of state financing schemes. (PGD)

Since 1970 approximately half of the states have challenged the constitutionality of state educational funding methods under equal protection or educational adequacy grounds. A review of court cases finds no clear trend towards acceptance or rejection of state provisions for school financing but does reveal a heightened awareness of inequity in…

This paper discusses the implications for State educational finance of the recent Serrano vs Priest decision and tries to clarify the exact meaning of the Serrano case. It notes that the use of property taxes for financing schools is not barred by the decision. Rather, the case expresses the principle of neutrality -- the level of spending for a…

Discusses the implications for state funding of education behind the recent California case, Serrano vs Priest. (JF)

The author proposes the adoption of a program budgeting system of educational finance to provide equality of education without threatening local control of public education. (AN)

In addition to the financial problems created by the Serrano decision and by inflation, some districts are also challenged by declining enrollments. Published by California School Boards Association, 800 9th Street, Suite 201, Sacramento, California 95814. (Author/WM)

Discusses the California Supreme Court decision in Serrano v. Priest relating to the financing of local school systems through general property tax. (RJ)

Presents the full text of the landmark case that found the method of financing public education in California in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. (JF)

Discusses the implications of the Serrano vs Priest decision. (JF)