Patsy T. Mink: “the amendment I offer seeks to provide detailed and accurate information on the status of education financing across the…”

“the amendment I offer seeks to provide detailed and accurate information on the status of education financing across the country. It authorizes the National Center for Educational Statistics to collect and analyze data on school finances and requires the National Academy of Sciences to conduct an in-depth study on school finance issues. Ensuring that all students have equal educational opportunities has always been a Federal priority and one of the greatest barriers to equity for many students is inadequate financing at a local level. Currently, there are 34 States that have or are currently facing a legal challenge to their education financing system on the grounds that it is inequitable. As of November 1993, the financing system of 12 States have been ruled unconstitutional by a State supreme court. While the Federal Government has nothing to do with State school financing, it can play a significant role by assisting the States in developing adequate financing systems through data collection, analysis, and model development. Furthermore, many States are already moving toward equalizing education funding across school districts, as mandated by a court as part of systemwide school reform. However, this is not an easy task. States have been confronted with a host of legal, financial, and ethical issues.”