The State Board of Education recommended to the 1968 Session of the General Assembly that the method of distributing school aid funds during the past be continued throughout the present biennium. By up-grading several factors, the State's share of the minimum program was to be increased by several million dollars. These revisions resulted, however, in twenty-five school divisions being scheduled to receive a decrease in funds.

The General Assembly accepted the recommendations of the State Board, but added to the formula a base so that no division would receive less money in 1968-69 than it received in 1967-68. During the course of discussions held throughout the session, it became apparent that the legislators had serious questions about the existing formula. Some thought it was unfair-others thought it was unnecessarily complex. The Assembly members seemed to share the opinion that if the State's formula was the right one, they wanted to be reassured. If it was not the right one, they wanted to pursue the adoption of a new formula.

As a result of these discussions during the 1968 Session, House Joint Resolution Number 89 was approved, creating a Commission to study the formula for State aid to public schools. The resolution called for the Commission to be composed of fifteen members. Three of these were appointed by the president of the Senate from the membership of the Senate. Five were appointed by the Speaker of The House of Delegates from the membership of the House and seven were appointed by the Governor from the State at large. The resolution called for the Superintendent of Public Instruction to be an ex-officio member.

This report is a result of a study of the present formula, a study of possible revisions to the present formula and a study of new approaches for the distribution of funds. In its work the Commission realized it was not enough to achieve simplicity alone. The State's formula for the distribution of funds must be based on sound principle and aid in the Commonwealth's efforts to provide quality education throughout Virginia.