In absence of an existing framework to assess the state's compliance with the court order in "Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE) v. State of New York," which guarantees all students the right to an adequate education, the Campaign's first report creates an operational definition for sound basic education. Drawing on relevant state statutes, regulations and judiciary requirements, "Essential Resources" focuses on eight specific areas to which students are constitutionally entitled, including: (1) qualified teachers, principals, and other personnel; (2) suitable, up-to-date curricula; (3) an expanded platform of services for at-risk students; (4) adequate resources for students with extraordinary needs; (5) class size/instructional groupings; (6) instrumentalities of learning; (7) safe and orderly environment; and (8) adequate and accessible facilities. [This report was written with assistance from Jessica R. Wolff and Joseph R. Rogers, Jr. For the companion report, "Deficient Resources: An Analysis of the Availability of Basic Educational Resources in High Needs Schools in Eight New York State School Districts," see ED573105.]