Description: Spending on K-12 education across the United States and across local school districts has long been characterized by great disparities-disparities that reflect differences in property wealth and tax rates. For the past quarter-century, reformers have attempted to reduce these differences through court challenges and legislative action. As part of a broad study of education finance, the committee commissioned eight papers examining the history and consequences of school finance reform undertaken in the name of equity and adequacy. This thought-provoking, timely collection of papers explores such topics as:
-- What do the terms "equity" and "adequacy" in school finance really mean?
-- How do school districts use money from finance reform?
-- What are the politics of school finance reform?
-- How is school finance reform being pursued through litigation?
-- What is the impact of court-ordered school finance reform on spending disparities?
-- What policy options are available to states facing new challenges from court decisions mandating adequacy in school finance?
-- When measuring adequacy, how do you consider differences in student needs and regional costs?

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