This paper discusses the impact and implications of school finance equalization, focusing in particular on the Serrano case and its effect on school finance in California. The paper is organized in three main parts. Section 1 is an introductory section that discusses the major legal and practical implications of several court cases involving…

Today local control over education seems to face the most serious challenge in its history. The movement to reform school finance raises the specter of the State assuming its formal consitutional powers and removing autonomy from the communities. Hence, it is argued, as the State takes over control of taxation and expenditures it will want to…

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,…

Briefly reviews 18 recent court cases relevant to the broad area of educational finance, including cases dealing with state school finance systems, assessment and distribution of property taxes, and provision of educational services to physically and mentally handicapped students. (JG)

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

In Brigham et al. v. State of Vermont (1997), the Vermont Supreme Court struck down the previous state-funding system and directed the legislature to come up with a new system that would eliminate the inequities among the local school districts. An analysis of this decision and its consequences is offered here. The paper recaps the funding system…

This paper analyzes Texas Senate Bill 351 that reforms public school funding. The bill provides for additional state funding and significant increases in local property taxes. The bill creates county education taxing units to neutralize the enormous property wealth differences found among the state's 1,056 school districts. It also provides a…

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…

This booklet presents a variety of updated information for use by study groups and others interested in Texas public school finance. Section 1 reviews various study group projects related to Texas school finance; section 2 reports on finance-related activities and research projects of the Texas Education Agency; section 3 lists several…

Vermont's Equal Educational Opportunity Act of 1997, Act 60, was designed to rectify educational inequities cited in the State Supreme Court ruling that the state's foundation formula was unconstitutional. This study examines the degree to which Act 60 has improved inequitable conditions in the three main areas cited in the court decision.…

State legislation that has contributed to the reduction of Arkansas' tax base is described in this paper. Amendment 59, adopted in 1980, has reduced the state tax base by millions of dollars. At the end of 1992, the majority of school districts have equalized their real, personal, and carrier and utility property. Act 34, the current foundation…

This document contains a summary of the recommendations made in 1972 and 1973 by the Commission to the Illinois Legislature. Areas covered in the proposed educational legislation and in the recommendations include the common school fund, adult education, the gifted program, special education, the bilingual program, urban education, pupil…

Public schools in the United States will face significant infrastructure needs within the next few years. Some of the numerous issues surrounding these needs, as they affect Nevada's schools, are detailed in this report. Current practices in Nevada have followed those of other quickly growing school systems in which funds are being diverted from…

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…