Constructing New Visions in K-12 School Finance: The Past, Present, and Future of State Interventions into District Finances

Session Type: Symposium

Abstract

This year's AERA theme calls for reimagining education futures grounded in historical lessons. Our symposium organizes scholars to consider how educational resources can contribute to Ladson-Billings' "hard reset"—a critical reimagination of education post-crisis—while addressing the "education debt," the legacy of systemic racism weighing on marginalized students. Presentations examine educational policy and politics, exploring audit agencies' role in managing district debt, consequences of state intervention in school finances and resource allocation, opportunities and challenges of community advocacy in state policymaking, and green fiscal mutualism. This session contributes to ongoing dialogue on educational equity and resource allocation facing systemic challenges while offering visions for reinvigorating public imagination to school finance.

Sub Unit

• SIG-Fiscal Issues, Policy and Education Finance

Chair

• Daniel Espinoza, University of Southern California

Papers

• School Debt Under Fiscal Surveillance: A Policy Analysis of State Audits of California Districts - René Espinoza Kissell, University of California - Santa Cruz

• Community Education and Resistance to State Takeover: Bridging Local and State Struggles - Yaritza Gonzalez, ING Rising

• The “Side Effects” of K-12 Fiscal Accountability Policy - Christopher Saldaña, University of Wisconsin - Madison; Laura Davalos, Wisconsin Center for Education Research

• The Possibility of Green Fiscal Mutualism in California - David Isaac Backer, Seton Hall University; Mia Fullerton, Reed College

Session Organizer

• Christopher Saldaña, University of Wisconsin - Madison

Discussant

• Erica O. Turner, University of Wisconsin - Madison