Education Finance and Accountability Program (EFAP)

Campaign for Fiscal Equity (CFE)

On June 26, 2003, the New York’s highest court ruled that the state’s education finance system was unconstitutional and gave the state until July 31, 2004 to come up with an acceptable reform plan.

This page provides research, policy analysis, data, and news regarding the policy debate initiated by this case. In designing a new education finance reform system, lawmakers in New York must deal with three central questions:

1. What type of new education aid formula meets the court’s mandate?

2. What types of school accountability and other programs should accompany education
finance reform?

3. How should education finance reform be financed?

So far, most of the research and policy analysis on this page focuses on the first of these questions. However, William Duncombe’s report on a Financial Conditions Indicator System addresses one aspect of the second question, and future research posted on this page may address other aspects of the second or third questions.

Friend-of-the-Court Briefs Submitted to the State Supreme Court

Amicus Curiae Brief of John Yinger and William Duncombe
Campaign for Fiscal Equity, Inc. v. The State of New York
September 17, 2004
Additional Amicus Curiae Brief Statement Statement by John Yinger and William Duncombe
Campaign for Fiscal Equity, Inc. v. The State of New York
November 4, 2004

Publications and Reports related to Education Aid Formulas

State must reform formula for funding education. Albany Times Union, Sunday, April 18, 2004. William Duncombe and John Yinger.
Comparison of School Aid Reform Proposals for New York State. April 2004. William Duncombe and John Yinger.
CPR Policy Brief No. 28/2004, March. William Duncombe, Anna Lukemeyer and John Yinger.
“Financing an Adequate Education: The Case of New York," or visit the NCES website. William Duncombe, Anna Lukemeyer and John Yinger.
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New York School Aid Simulation: Spread sheet that allows users to design their own foundation formula for New York State.

Publications and Reports related to School Accountability

Developing a Financial Condition Indicator System (FCIS) for New York State School Districts. Condition Report for Education Finance Research Consortium. William Duncombe, May 2003.

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