This conference aimed at focusing the attention of educators, legislators, and interested citizens on the inadequacies of present methods used to finance public elementary and secondary schools in Massachusetts. The papers presented in this document give an overview of the present problems and provide direction for the actions required to develop a more equitable tax system. Specific topics addressed by the speeches include the needs of education; revenue needs, resources, and the possibilities of change; executive policy and the financing of public schools; political realism and the financing of public education; issues in the financing of schools in Massachusetts; and the need for reforming State aid to education in Massachusetts. (Author/DN)