April 2004: Finance Reform

Unlike previous efforts, the latest campaign to increase school funding and make it more equitable includes a broad spectrum of advocates, not just those from the education community. All make the same argument: the state’s tax structure is not geared to meet the needs of children. To help politicians over the hump of higher taxes, the campaign is going to the grassroots to explain that need—and the numbers.

Cover Stories

• Campaign eyes the grassroots Unlike previous efforts, the latest campaign to increase school funding and make it more equitable includes a broad spectrum of advocates.
  
• Resolved: State taxes should be raised to improve school funding As yet another campaign to overhaul school funding gets underway in Illinois.
  
• What reform might look like A+ Illinois, the umbrella group for advocates of school finance reform, has not committed to a specific plan..
  
• Glencoe, Midlothian illustrate funding gap The biggest difference between high-spending districts and low-spending districts is teachers, mainly what they’re paid but also their relative numbers.
  
• Standards push helps lawsuits Across the country, 25 states are now facing lawsuits challenging the way they pay for schools.
  

Letter From the Editor Bring back the assessment center The Chicago Board of Education has a spotty history for crafting new programs.