Educational Adequacy nationwide

The Quick and Ed raises the question: are we facing a perfect storm for adequacy lawsuits?

First, most state budgets are in horrible shape, and it will difficult for states to close budget gaps without education playing a role in those reductions. Second, the federal stimulus funding is going to run out soon, and states are not in a position to backfill those funds. So, while the stimulus funds allowed schools to put off difficult cuts for a couple years, when the federal funds end at the same time that states are cutting state funding, it does not look good. And third, local property tax revenues are not looking strong any time in the near future. Now property tax policies differ by state, but at least in some states, when property values fall, so do the tax revenues (although there is a lag until the property tax bases are reassessed). So to sum up the fiscal outlook for schools in much of the country – federal funds down, state funds down, local funds down.

In Massachusetts, this is the open question around the Hancock case: will the judge deem the state's most recent efforts in adequate? And wither the Commissioner's report?