Reforming American Education Policy for the 21st Century

Abstract

This article reviews the concept of equal opportunity to learn over time as related to school finance systems; it discusses the current state of education finance and the need for redesigning funding structures and linking them to upgraded curriculum and equitable school practices to provide "aligned" education policy aimed at a high-quality education for all children and at all schools. The assumption is that curricular improvements and finance reforms work more effectively together than either would alone. The second but equally important set of linkages discussed is between aligned education policies, including finance systems, and community services dealing with health, welfare, juvenile justice, and social and rehabilitation services. These linkages would extend the reach of the current reforms through interagency collaboration to address the multiple and interlocking needs many children bring with them to school which create effective obstacles to learning.