N.J. Finance System Ruled Unconstitutional for Third Time

By Karen Diegmueller

The New Jersey Supreme Court has ruled that lawmakers have not done enough to alleviate inequities in the state's system for financing public schools.

Last month's decision marks the third time since 1973 that the justices have deemed the system unconstitutional. Many New Jersey educators question whether lawmakers possess the political will to insure an equitable education for rich and poor students alike.

Indeed, two generations of children have passed through the public schools since the state's top court first ruled that the finance system, which relies heavily on property taxes, discriminated against poor districts and violated the state constitution's requirement that students be provided a...