School Funding

Shouldffluentistrictseorcedoidoorereighbors?In some states, affluent school districts spend nine times as much per pupil as poorer districts. Such inequities have led educators and parents to file dozens of lawsuits to force states to change funding formulas that penalize districts with low property-tax revenues. Issues of race and class underlie the conflict, making it all too often an ugly battle between “haves” and “have-nots.” While the battle lines are clear, ways to achieve more equitable funding have proved elusive. Do states raise poor districts up or force affluent districts to share their wealth? Is the United States truly dedicated to equal educational opportunity for all? Is more money the key to a better education?