Michael Weiss, an MDRC research associate, has coauthored a new report (with Margaret E. Goertz), Assessing Success in School Finance Litigation: The Case of New Jersey, published by The Campaign for Education Equity at Teachers College, Columbia University.

In 1970, four New Jersey cities challenged the constitutionality of the state’s school funding system, arguing that large wealth-based variations in per pupil expenditures across the state’s districts deprived students in low-wealth communities like theirs of a “thorough and efficient” education. Since then, in over 20 decisions handed down over the last 35 years, through Robinson v. Cahill (1973-1976) and later Abbott v. Burke (1985-2005), the New Jersey Supreme Court has sought to ensure that all students, particularly in distressed urban areas, have equal access to a quality education. This report examines the impact of court-mandated school finance reform in New Jersey and describes the state’s new school funding formula, the School Finance Reform Act (SFRA) of 2008, and its potential impact.