Adequacy

The issue of adequacy in schools has been a hot topic since the early 1970's. "Adequacy theory holds that the educational clause of the state's constitution requires it to ensure that all students attain a minimum level of educational achievement. To fulfill this constitutional requirement, advocates argue that the state must provide a level of spending for education that is "adequate" to ensure that all children reach the desired level of proficiency" (Boone 2009, p.81). Among other things, adequacy encompasses a student's ability to read, write, and have knowledge of other school subjects in order to make informed choices. Students should also be able to communicate in a way that allows them to work and hold gainful employment and have access to proper resources in school which further their educational achievement (Boone 2009). Obviously, the many components of adequacy in schools makes it difficult for anyone to agree on what actually constitutes equal funding for all students. In an article reviewing papers on school money trials, Eric Hanushek summarizes the argument saying that "determining the cost of an education of a particular level of quality is not only beyond the court's competence, it's beyond anyone's competence, given the limitations of existing data on students, teachers, and educational practice" (Addonzizio 2009, p. 87).

Boone, M. (2009). Equity and Adequacy: Philosophical, Technical, and Political Issues. //Journal of Philosophy and History of Education,// 59, 81-87.

Addonizio, M.F. (2009). Review of School Money Trials: The Legal Pursuit of Educational Adequacy. //Journal of Education Finance,// 35:1 85-95.