Summarizes American public school finance history from the post World War II period to the present, focusing on the work of R.L. Johns, Edgar Morphet, and numerous colleagues. Discusses the conflict and schism in school finance during the 1970's resulting from demands for greater equity in the face of diminishing local financing choices. (MLH)

Research into voters' reasons for supporting or opposing Proposition 2 1/2, Massachusetts's 1980 property tax limitation measure, revealed that educational issues were of moderate importance and that voters were more interested in restructuring educational finance and governance than in reducing school budgets. Still the passage of the measure…

This study examines repercussions of the incentive nature of the Manitoba property tax credit plan in relation to local school systems' taxation practices during 1978 to 1981. Data from municipalities and province school systems were obtained from the Manitoba departments of education and municipal affairs. Investigation was carried out in five…

The reluctance of the Southeast to increase educational spending is closely linked to the region's lagging behind the rest of the nation in quality of education and hence in overall standard of living. Six "myths" about educational spending, widely held in the Southeast, are here addressed: (1) That educational expenditures, worthwhile…

This study examines the effects of the 1979 Oregon Property Tax Relief Plan on 1980-81 school district budget decisions by comparing the available tax relief, the school expenditures, and the tax levies in the state for the years 1975-81. The history of direct and indirect property tax relief in Oregon is sketched for the years prior to 1979; the…

A sample of teachers, principals, supervisors, superintendents, school board members, and county commissioners across Tennessee responded to questionnaires concerning funding patterns and revenue sources for public education. Except for the commissioners, who are the funding agents for school systems in Tennessee and are responsible for setting…

This article examines a method of determining school aid, potential sources of abrupt changes arising from revaluation, an illustrative case, and policy options. It finds many problems caused by jurisdictional fragmentation and time lags inherent in the equalization process. Tables include full-value determinations and school district property…

This report describes and evaluates the North Dakota state/local fiscal system, especially as it relates to financing public education. It identifies and evaluates various fiscal policy options for raising additional tax revenue for support of schools and other public services in ways consistent with the basic characteristics of the North Dakota…

A study analyzed the revenues of the Chicago Public Schools since 1970; all the relevant data on these revenues are compiled in this document, which presents a comprehensive picture of the finances of the Chicago Public Schools. In response to a fiscal crisis that has continued since 1979-80, the Chicago Board of Education has cut its staff by…

To determine adequate, fair, and efficient methods of public school finance for the state of Illinois, this study collected and synthesized data on state revenues collected in 1980-81 and distributed to school districts in 1981-82. Researchers examined current alternative methods of distributing state and federal funds to Illinois public schools…

Documents and data prepared by Lansing, Michigan, planners in order to influence decision-makers are highlighted in this discussion of a 5-month millage election project. Financial planners involved stated that data collected and disseminated for a budget decision must be understandable to a nontechnical audience, credible, timely, and accepted as…

Five of Canada's ten provinces--Newfoundland, Quebec, Ontario, Saskatchewan, and Alberta--maintain systems of publicly supported religious schools, variously referred to as denominational, dissentient, or separate schools. In each of these, funding is shared between the province and the local communities, with the latter depending, for the most…

This study's purpose was to explore the premise that increasing state support for elementary/secondary schools increases equal student access to educational opportunity. Following a brief overview of the background of the problem, including a description of the so-called "Minnesota Miracle" or Omnibus Tax Law of 1971 with its provisions…

Potential revenue prospects for the public schools in the Midwest basically depend on the future outlook for the midwestern economy as a whole. Accordingly, a comprehensive analysis is undertaken of the midwestern economy and tax base, and then of trends in educational spending. Topics include: (1) economic growth and taxation systems; (2)…