This study examines changes between 1970 and 1975 in the distribution of educational resources within all the States. The analysis considers both the disparities in expenditures and the relation between these disparities and local wealth. The costs of achieving a range of equalization goals are also presented. (Author/GC)

This report points out inequities in the taxing methods of many States and of State subdivisions and suggests possible remedies. Special emphasis is placed on assessments against real property and the impact of these assessments on tax revenues. The report concludes that (1) school revenue systems have suffered because of inadequate laws that have…

The movement for school finance reform at the State level has not been arrested. It had been thought that the Rodriguez case would stall reform. States have moved their reform efforts ahead before and after the Rodriguez decision, with conviction. The purpose of this publication is to document school finance legislation in 1973, State-by-State.…

In the 1980s, equity concerns will come into conflict with efficiency concerns in school financing. This paper attempts to trace the changing nature of these concerns during the 1970s and to suggest trends for education financing in the 1980s. The first section discusses equity issues related to state school finance reforms and suggests that…

This speech incorporates a major policy statement regarding school subsidies in Maine. The author discusses equality of educational opportunity; and he comments on the property tax, wealth-connected inequities, and class action suits. The speech focuses on a discussion of the Maine subsidy law and its effects; as well as the Maine property, sales,…

Discusses the effect of recent court decisions on the role of the state in school support. (JF)

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…

Under the plan described in this report--a so-called "Equal Yield" formula contained in Senate Bill No. 110--each district will have an equal opportunity to realize the same amount of revenue per pupil from each unit or "mill" of local tax levied in combined State and local funds. The publication examines in detail several key…

Recent court decisions requiring changes in State educational finance systems have not invalidated the use of local property taxes as a revenue source for education, nor have they dictated that the same amount of dollars must be spent on every pupil. In short, these decisions have left with the State legislatures the responsibility to fashion new…

This paper outlines school finance issues that have emerged due to litigation on the constitutionality of school funding at the state level. Such funding varies from state to state, ranging from 8 percent in New Hampshire to 74 percent in New Mexico; per-child expenditures range from $1,500 to $15,000. Beginning in the 1970s, poor school districts…

This report provides a general overview of those State constitutional provisions and some of the related statutes and case law that must be considered in designing school finance legislation and in understanding the issues being raised in school finance litigation in State courts throughout the country. While the publication was designed primarily…

This report is designed to familiarize the reader with current changes in State systems of public school finance. It describes in summary form the major school finance changes made in 1973 by Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Kansas, Maine, Michigan, Montana, North Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin. State legislative sessions in these States produced…

This booklet contains a brief analysis of four "real life" alternatives (Minnesota, Michigan, Kansas, and New York) for State systems of funding schools, along with a concise conceptual framework for approaching the study of school finance reform. Because the booklet was prepared as a practical guide for State legislators, the authors avoid highly…

The format of this monograph follows essentially the arrangement of the day-long conference on Serrano vs. Priest: a major paper presentation, followed by a panel of three respondents, and subsequent general discussion involving the audience and conference participants. The editors have attempted to provide both the formal and the extemporaneous…