Topeka ? Kansas students rank among the brightest in the nation, but absent additional money for their schools, they may fall short of state and national achievement goals, an education lobbyist testified Tuesday.

Mark Tallman of the Kansas Association of School Boards said while the state had made strides in improving funding and academic achievement since the early 1990s, evidence was beginning to show those gains might be eroding.

His testimony came during the second day of a trial in Shawnee County District Court of a lawsuit challenging the state’s system for distributing $2.6 billion in aid to school districts.

Attorneys filed the lawsuit in 1999 on behalf of parents and administrators in the Dodge City and Salina districts, arguing the state’s 1992 school finance law is constitutionally flawed. The trial is expected to last two weeks.

Tallman testified that while funding increases outpaced inflation over that period, expectations changed, including through passage of the federal No Child Left Behind law that requires proficiency in math and reading for all students by 2014.

“We have set a goal that has never previously before been attained,” Tallman testified.

Tallman said the current formula was determined by looking at what districts were spending at the time, what taxes could be raised and what funds were available.

“There was nothing scientific about $3,600,” he said in reference to the original per-pupil state aid figure established by the 1992 law.

Sen. Christine Downey, D-Newton, a former teacher, said the current finance law was not based on data or studies but on what would win passage in the House and Senate.

Downey agreed with Alan Rupe, attorney for the plaintiffs, when he suggested that passage in 2001 of law ordering a consultant’s study was an acknowledgment by legislators the school finance formula was unfair.

Downey said legislators failed to provide enough money for schools, keeping districts from addressing student needs and closing achievement gaps.

“People say you can’t solve problems with money. This problem you can,” she said.

Downey said the state promised districts it would provide adequate funds and reduce reliance on local option budgets, which allow districts to increase their spending up to 25 percent.

Hays Supt. Fred Kaufman testified his district’s local option budget was essential “in order to operate.” He was scheduled to continue his testimony today.

Kaufman and Emporia Supt. John Heim said under the current formula their districts weren’t providing a suitable education for all students.