The academic and economic benefits of school spending are well-established, but focusing on these outcomes may underestimate the full social benefits of school spending. Recent increases in U.S. child mortality are driven by injuries and raise questions about what types of social investments could reduce child deaths. We use close school district…

This study investigates what factors are associated with the likelihood of passing school facility construction bonds by local district election. It uses statewide data from Michigan, 1998-2006, to examine the outcome of 789 bond elections in terms of the following ten variables: amount of the bond request; district enrollment; district locale;…

This study examines the use of Schools of Choice throughout Michigan over the last decade. Nearly 100,000 Michigan students use Schools of Choice to attend a school outside of the district in which they live. Participation has grown steadily, with enrollment growing by 144 percent over the past 10 years. This study finds that students enter…

Michigan's state-run school system is the largest and most expensive government service taxpayers support. It employs more than 350,000 people who work in one of the more than 4,100 different entities. The total amount this system expends each year adds up to more than $20 billion. Given the enormity and complexity of the system, it's no surprise…

Examines Michigan's attempt to abolish the school property tax and implications for New York State policymakers. Michigan substantially reduced the local property tax for local school operations, adopted a permanent set of tax and revenue limits, and devised a problematic assessment cap. Totally eliminating the local school property tax may be…

In November 1972, electorates in California, Colorado, Michigan, and Oregon decisively rejected consitutional amendments that (according to their supporters) would have reduced or eliminated reliance on the property tax as a means of financing education. School finance reformers were perplexed by these defeats. This study sets out to explain the…

Summarizes arguments for and against replacing the local school property tax by a local school income tax. Explores the empirical effects of such policies for New York State. Using a 3% income tax and refashioning state aid to a foundation level of $8,068 per pupil would not require substantial new state revenues. (38 footnotes) (MLH)

THE STUDY'S OBJECTIVES WERE (1) TO APPRAISE PUBLIC CONCEPTS OF THE PERSONAL VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION, (2) TO DETERMINE PUBLIC CONCEPTS OF THE VALUE OF HIGHER EDUCATION TO SOCIETY, (3) TO DETERMINE THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING OF THE PROBLEM OF STUDENT DEMAND AND INSTITUTIONAL LIMITATIONS, (4) TO DISCOVER THE PUBLIC UNDERSTANDING AND ATTITUDES TOWARD…

Finds that school property taxes have been substantially reduced under the new Michigan school finance system and have been replaced with new state revenues, although it is uncertain whether these new state dollars will be available in a recession. Finds that substantial disparities remain between Michigan school districts in revenues and…

Analyzes data on the economic prospects of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin--including demographic and economic trends, trends in taxation systems, school revenue and expenditure trends, and future revenue prospects--and offers prognoses for individual states. Generally, short-range revenue prospects are bleak, and long-range…

In 1993, the Michigan Legislature eliminated the local property tax as the main public education funding source. This article explores the details of Michigan's policy process during late 1993 and early 1994, focusing on consequences. Recently, the school property tax was partially reinstated. The system is working, but vulnerable to cash…

Examines voter response to bond issues immediately following Michigan's elimination of its property tax school-funding system. Reviews equity measures, discusses court cases addressing school-facility equity issues, and compares other states' funding approaches. Michigan's system for financing school facilities remains inequitable, and facility…

Summarizes educational reform initiatives in Michigan, highlighting legislative actions such as the 1990 Public Act 25 ("the Quality Education Package"), professional certification reforms, experiments with school choice and charter schools, the Michigan Partnership for New Education; and abolition of property taxes to fund education.…

The system that finances Michigan's schools from kindergarten through 12th grade is a perennial topic of conversation among policymakers, parents, taxpayers and voters. A constructive discussion of this issue, however, requires a sound knowledge of the financial workings of Michigan's elementary and secondary school system. This knowledge is…

Presents a model explaining voter behavior in educational tax rate referenda, arguing that increasing rejection of these referenda is explained by a narrowing gap between actual school expenditures and the level of expenditures voters regard as optimal. (JG)