Funding equity and student achievement: An analysis and comparison of Kentucky and Tennessee

Robert A Spears, Tennessee State University

Abstract

This work explores school funding reform in response to court orders in both Kentucky and Tennessee. The research examines the environment that precipitated funding reform. A central focus of the research involves exploring the impact of funding reforms focused on equity among districts. The results suggest that equity-based reforms in Kentucky and Tennessee have not resulted in significant improvements in student achievement in either state. Further, the findings indicate an exacerbation of the funding gap among districts in both states. The researcher concludes by offering initial comparisons of the systems in Kentucky and Tennessee to the more successful systems in Wisconsin and Iowa. A preliminary discussion of education funding approaches in other southern states is also included.

Subject Area

School finance|Public administration

Recommended Citation

Robert A Spears, "Funding equity and student achievement: An analysis and comparison of Kentucky and Tennessee" (2007). ETD Collection for Tennessee State University. Paper AAI3277900.
https://digitalscholarship.tnstate.edu/dissertations/AAI3277900

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