As school budgets face serious problems, one area under examination is the cocurricular activities section of the school budget. Many districts are charging user fees to students participating in school sports, band, drama, and even elective courses. Since no direct reference is made to education in the United States Constitution, education is a function of each state. The definition of "free education" varies from state to state and even from district to district. Currently California, New Jersey, New York, and Oklahoma require that any educational program (including cocurricular activities) must be offered free of charge. Other states allow user fees to be assessed for some activities. Examination of state practices reveals a wide variation across the country. But even after examining state statutes, court cases, school policies, and opinions from schools and attorneys throughout the country, the issue of assessing student fees for some classes and activities remains unresolved. There seems to be little question that basic curricular activities should be provided without charge. Local school boards generally reach compromise solutions on how elective courses and cocurricular activities should be funded. The battle for budget dollars may drive a deeper wedge between cocurricular activities and academics and probably end a cooperative era in which both were considered essential. (MD)