Traces financial aspects of the Chicago Public Schools' reform effort, detailing the prereform growth of bureaucracy that prompted legislated reallocation of the system's funds. Data show that funds have been reallocated to reduce administrative bureaucracy and equalize funding between schools. Schools with many low-income students have more…

Technology is a tool that can support good teaching and well-managed schools. To assure taxpayers and parents that investments in educational technology are worthwhile, schools can emphasize access, focus on teaching, link it to reform, encourage research, and plan for the future. Lists Web sites for finding information about the effectiveness of…

A study analyzed detailed expenditure reports of nine typical U.S. school districts for 1967, 1991, and 1996. From 1967 to 1996, special education's share jumped from 4% to 18% of all spending, whereas regular education's share fell from 80% to 57%. Furthermore, 40% of new funds went for special education; 23% for regular education. Implications…

Some experts characterize the "digital divide" (the gap between technology haves and have-nots) as the civil rights issue of the new millennium. Policymakers may need to rethink the concept of equity when applied to technology resources in schools. A California program is developing some yardsticks. (Contains 17 references.) (MLH)

Presents national data from the Educational Research Service (ERS) National Survey of school district budgets. The database of school-district budget information provides a consistent and reliable means for comparing local school-district budgets across the United States. Offers information about trends in resource allocation, personnel costs,…

The Philadelphia School District has a five-step program of site-based-management prerequisites for schools: (1) absolute support from the top administration; (2) clear and fair allocation formulas on which each school's budget is to be based; (3) universal understanding of any restrictions, rules, or guidelines; (4) full explanation of budget…

Longitudinal study of how school districts allocated resources, focusing on expenditures and staffing, during a 6-year period in the 1990s, a period that saw the implementation of state standards and accountability initiatives. Finds, for example, that school districts did not appear to spend more on instruction, but did hire more instructional…

An educational platform, or philosophy, serves as a guide to administrative actions. Issues to be considered include aims of education, expectations for students, social significance of schooling, organizational climate, teachers' roles, student teacher relationships, and characteristics of students. (MLF)

Rethinks the use of teachers, a school's most expensive and important resource. Four categories could benefit from restructuring: teacher and aide allocation/assignment, teacher compensation, student support services, and general and special program administration. Middletown, New York, actually improved its student:teacher ratio by using its…

Describes the structure of finance in the English education system; and examines the significance of the local management of schools legislation in terms of the following concepts: (1) formula; (2) delegated finance; (3) staffing delegation; (4) open enrollment; and (5) performance indicators. (18 references) (MLF)

Presents data on school district expenditures for 1984-85, 1989-90, and 1994-95, gathered by the Educational Research Service (ERS). Provides information on budgets; intragroup variations; trends in allocation patterns; personnel costs; school district revenues; and trends in revenue available from local, state, and federal sources. Three tables…

Defines "equity" in terms of three concepts (horizontal equity, vertical equity, and fiscal neutrality), summarizes school finance litigation history, and presents alternative distribution formats to improve student achievement. Enhancing equity and efficiency requires reallocation of existing resources, incentives for improved performance, a more…

The need for programmatic cost information, data compatibility, and understanding input/output relationships are sparking efforts to improve standards for organizing and reporting educational-resource data. Unlike accountants, economists measure resources in real terms and organize information around service delivery, using a resource-cost model.…

Describes the basic concepts and suggested procedures for introducing zero base budgeting. (Author/MLF)

To provide a consistent and reliable means for comparing local school budgets, data provided by approximately 1,100 administrators are assembled by per pupil operating expenditure and allocated to various functional categories. Regional variation in the sources of funding is demonstrated. Instructions for obtaining an individualized district…