The collection begins with an overview of the relationship between education and the economy, namely how “a stable economy depends on a skilled, educated populace, and quality education institutions depend on funding and support from individuals living in a prospering economy.” The article on equalization aid details the factors that determine the allocation of state funds for public school districts. Kerri Phillips reviews Title I, a federally mandated program that provides funding to local education agencies for economically disadvantaged students. Funding issues also come into play when schools begin to experience over-crowding issues. As Barbara Hornick-Lockard discusses, taxpayers have been forced to fund a construction boom in order to keep abreast of student and faculty needs.