America's inequitable school funding system assigns urban children of poverty only half the value accorded suburban professionals' children. Beware of casting certain children as models of resiliency. Less articulate children also deserve adults' attention and support. Tracking, which isolates social classes, should be outlawed. One South Bronx…

For any school-based-management model to succeed, the important functions of a school district's business office must be redesigned to shift authority and support for most fiscal decisions to school site. Some of the complexities of shifting the fiscal management to schools include technology, transportation, maintenance and operation, risk…

Responses of nine leaders of education to the following two questions: (1) What are the two most critical issues in K-12 education that should be addressed in the next five years? (2) Why do you think they are the most critical? (TD)

Notes increased local government autonomy can cause broader inequalities in educational supply. Analyzes Norwegian municipalities' priorities concerning basic education, focusing on teaching input, class size, and administrative outlays for 1980-92. Findings show resource input has increased, teacher-student ratio is insensitive to local revenue…

Argues that standards-based education reform has shifted the focus of school finance from equity to adequacy. Requires an explicit connection between the funding provided to schools and the results produced in terms of student learning. (Contains 19 references.) (MLF)

Explores the influences state departments of education have on the cost and quality of pupil transportation. Evaluates the following state funding methodologies: (1) actual costs incurred; (2) a flat rate per unit; or (3) a multivariate calculation in providing service efficiently and equitably between districts. (MLF)

Educational planners must work within the same definitions and assumptions as their clients so that future facility planning will be based on educational programs incorporating equity, adequacy, and efficiency as inherent concepts rather than designs that respond to legal strictures. (MLF)

The rhetoric of current blueprints for (Australian) school reform must be scrutinized to ensure a power redistribution furthering improved outcomes for more students, particularly the least advantaged. A desirable social justice outcome might be achieved through blending equality aspects ensured by the old centralized system with the progressive…

The third part of William Clune's proposed strategy for reforming the states' role in supporting elementary and secondary education is the development of performance-oriented policies that focus resources on improving student achievement. This article discusses questions central to designing such policies, highlighting three areas: curricular…

Massachusetts's school-choice program has seen a significant flight of students and dollars from inadequately funded urban districts to wealthier suburban districts. Despite the Haverhill district's cutting-edge curriculum, many students have transferred because of school location and the district's racial composition. School choice is not a…

Data from national sources were used to test whether state school finance reform alters neighborhood income homogeneity. Results show that school finance has a significant effect on school district income sorting, especially among low-income communities. (Author)

Reviews higher education racial desegregation equity since the U.S. Supreme Court's 1992 "Fordice" decision. Discusses historically black colleges and universities' future status and African-American students' progress, using finance data analyzed and interpreted via critical race theory. HBCU's receive inferior state appropriation…

Asserts that the country's current education system, comprised of local school boards, is fragmented and unfair. Proposes a national education congress to provide direction, promote a more unified effort, and ensure that the education system is responding to the best interests and needs of the American people. (EV)

Although Darling-Hammond's emphases as a teacher, researcher, and college professor shifted over a distinguished 25-year career, her three driving concerns remain the serious and thoughtful training of highly professional teachers; elimination of inequities in school funding, resources, and access to qualified teachers; and personalization of…

A recent study revealed deficiencies in the long-awaited "Abbott v. Burke" ruling, which benefited 28 inner-city districts and shortchanged poor rural and middle-wealth districts. By ignoring these groups of districts, New Jersey lawmakers have sown the seeds of taxpayer backlash, as evidenced by two recent lawsuits. (Contains 23…