Prior studies have documented the pattern of decreased state funding for higher education in periods of economic contraction (i.e., the balance wheel phenomenon). This qualitative case study examines how policymakers in California and Texas made decisions about funding higher education at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, when policymakers faced…

In this article, we examined the extant literature regarding college-readiness in math for students entering community colleges. Included in this review are the following topics: (a) the role of community colleges between secondary and postsecondary institutions; (b) national initiatives for college-readiness standards in math; (c) Texas…

Reviews changes in the Texas public school finance system since a 1989 Texas Supreme Court decision declaring the system unconstitutional. Preliminary analysis of two funding scenarios shows movement toward greater equity. Horizontal equity progress may be partially negated by new provisions addressing taxpayer equity. Program adequacy…

Financial resources do affect educational quality. When the advantaged have the better-financed school, America will continue to provide unequal education to those who most need what school has to offer. Legislative responses to early litigation and the recent litigation in Montana, Texas, and New Jersey are discussed. (MLW)

Based on a study of how eight states have pursued educational reform, this booklet reviews new issues facing school finance as a result of the recent upsurge of interest in educational improvement. The booklet has four sections. The first section discusses changing state fiscal and political contexts within which reforms are being debated. Section…

This policy brief presents findings from Southwest Educational Development Laboratory research on resource allocation in 1,504 independent school districts in Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, and Texas. Using 5 years' data from the federal Common Core of Data and the Census Bureau along with 3 years of student performance data from each state…

This article analyzes education and finance in Texas. It reports that Texas spends less per pupil on education than many other states in the nation--despite a greater than 10 percent increase in state appropriations for education since 1996. There is also high variance in per-pupil expenditures from one district to the next, with some school…

This special bulletin examines the Texas Supreme Court's January 1995 final opinion in the Edgewood vs. Meno case, the latest in a series of rulings on the constitutionality of the Texas public school funding system. The first article summarizes the majority opinion, discusses the implications of the court's 5-4 ruling, and suggests that further…

This book chronicles the history of school finance reform in Texas between 1968 and 1995. Specifically, the book focuses on the substantial changes in the method of funding Texas public schools, aimed at creating a more equitable system of educational opportunity. The author, Dr. Jose A. Cardenas, founded the Intercultural Development Research…

The education of undocumented children in Texas is an issue that has been sparked by public opinion and media exposure and fueled by a series of state and federal court suits challenging state and local policies which exclude these children from the benefits of tuition free public education. The controversy is based on a 1975 revision in the state…

The relationship between Mexican American power and federal funding being tapped for bilingual education by Texas school districts was examined through data from the 1970 Census and the Texas Education Agency's Division of Bilingual Education and information from two key Mexican American advocacy organizations. Although state legislatures, courts,…

The five states of the Southwest--Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas--represent great diversity in economies, politics, educational settings, and resources. Despite this diversity, research indicates that rural small schools are concerned about the same issues as education as a whole. The purpose of this report is to present the…

Since 1971 the status of Mexican American education hasn't changed significantly in three important areas: students, curriculum, and educational finance and resources. Mexican American students are underrepresented at all academic levels, especially higher levels, and in advanced science and math courses. Educational efforts begun in the 1960s…

Argues that state school-finance reform efforts are focused on equalizing property-tax bases and per-pupil expenditures rather than on improving student performance to meet educational adequacy standards. Uses data from Wisconsin and Texas to measure cost differences, frequently substantial, among school districts. Demonstrates use of…

Policy issues relating to the integration of information and communications technology into higher education are addressed, primarily for those with policy development responsibility at the state level. The following chapters are included: (1) "State Higher Education Policies in the Information Age: An Introduction to the Issues" (Robert…