EQUITY AND ADEQUACY IN EDUCATION FUNDING
WHEREAS, more than half of the states in this nation
have had law suits filed on the inequity of state school funding formulas and
the adequacy of funding within school districts, and a significant number of
court decisions have found funding disparities requiring more equitable funding
plans; and
WHEREAS,
each state’s constitution uniquely describes its responsibility to
guarantee and provide an adequate public education for every child; and
WHEREAS,
many of the disparities in education that stem from unequal funding and have
been exposed by standards-based reforms, new assessments and accountability
requirements, and performance standards established by the federal and state
governments; and
WHEREAS,
the need to increase resources for students to meet these standards and this is
more challenging in cities due to diverse demographics; and
WHEREAS,
recent research findings indicate that disadvantaged students require more
resources than previously determined to meet the standards and assessment
levels; and
WHEREAS,
current financial formulas lack enough dollars to help disadvantaged
students reach or exceed the standards; and
WHEREAS,
in the last few months courts in at least three states (Montana, Massachusetts
and Kansas) have cited results in state education tests as evidence that state
legislatures are not providing an adequate education for all,
NOW,
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that The United States Conference of Mayors
urges state legislatures to step up and appropriate enough resources to enable
all students to meet the standards; and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors calls on
school districts to equalize funding and resources within the district to
accomplish equity and adequacy of funding for schools with significant numbers
of low-income students so they, too, can be successful and meet the standards;
and
BE
IT FURTHER RESOLVED that The United States Conference of Mayors encourages
mayors to work with state legislatures and school systems to assist in
determining funding and other resource solutions to make education funding
systems within a state equitable and adequate, and therefore increase the opportunity
for all students to meet the standards and achieve success.
©2004 U.S. Conference of Mayors 