In part one of a two-part series, a mathematician and former college president looks at how best to utilize and invest endowments. Consideration of the needed and desirable percentage return on investments is discussed. (MSE)

Discusses the current economic problems that educational administrators face and examines some possible solutions in tax benefits available to doners. (MLF)

A well-designed investment program can help administrators get the most out of public dollars and other available resources. (Author)

Presents strategies to help elementary teachers win grants for the classroom. The article includes information on grant sources, where to find out more about grants, and how to write winning grants. Examples of successful grant projects are provided, and announcement of a $500 Instructor grant competition is included. (SM)

College and university business officers are encouraged to implement an endowment distribution method that increases the amount distributed by a fixed annual percentage based on asset mix, inflation, and expected return. Such a payout system provides a predictable, steadily increasing level of endowment income yet maintains the purchasing power of…

Offers colleges and universities some strategies when reallocation of funds is necessary. Discussion focuses on the use of facilitating teams to help department chairpersons, active promotion of reallocation in funding proposals, use of analytical databases in decision making, use of program audits, taxation policies, decentralization of decision…

This paper examines some general principles affecting the timing, extent, and direction of fiscal changes in public school finance systems. To develop a framework that is applicable to a wide variety of states, the analysis concentrates on two dimensions: allocation and distribution. The median voter model and the fiscal neutrality model of state…

This document discusses major issues in urban school finance. It has been developed around four major sections. First, it reviews the role of the states in urban school finance, using published materials and documents from the Education Commission of the States. Second, it discusses recent developments in urban school finance litigation dealing…

Considers the fundamental values underlying American public school finance and investigates how these values have been reflected in the work of "founding fathers" such as Ellwood P. Cubberley, George D. Strayer, and Paul Mort. Demonstrates that public school finance in a democracy is a function of politics as well as economics. Includes 40…

The supreme courts of Montana, New Jersey, and Texas have overturned their respective educational finance systems. Provides analyses of the three cases and a discussion of the implications for other states. (MLF)

Diverse economic, social, and legal concerns have brought renewed attention to the problem of financing public schools. The primary economic concern is preparing students to compete successfully in the international marketplace. The change in demographics of the United States also is a major social concern for education. Legal concerns focus on…

Recently the Oregon Legislative Assembly called for a new funding approach for regional programs for severely disabled students. The resulting resource-cost model, based on a state approved funding level by handicap and instructional delivery system or student placement, provides greater educational equity for disabled students regardless of…

Summarizes public school finance in New York State, focusing on recent high levels of state aid. Discusses Speaker of Assembly's role as education advocate. This powerful Democrat formed a 1983 task force that studied financing, set priorities, issued a report, and produced a five-year plan to initiate further legislative action. Contains 2…

Recent court decisions and legislation show that an adequate school finance formula must provide sufficient money so public schools can teach all students. Four different approaches for determining school finance adequacy are: (1) determining the economic cost of various educational functions; (2) linking spending to performance benchmarks; (3)…

This booklet for trustees of institutions of higher education addresses the role of boards of related non-profit fund-raising foundations. The booklet begins with an explanation of four advantages of such foundations to host institutions, such as separating gift funds from public funds. Suggestions for making foundation boards more effective…