School districts increasingly rely on weighted student funding (WSF), yet there is little research on this allocation model. This study collects more than 70 measures on each of 19 districts using WSF in 2018 for a landscape analysis of formula features and implementation practices. While districts report common reasons for adopting WSF (equity,…

The "Colorado Children's Budget 2012" examines the state's commitment to investing in the well-being of children. It tallies up Colorado's actual and planned investment during the past five years (Fiscal Year (FY) 2008-2009 through FY 2012-2013) on programs and services in four areas: Early Childhood Learning and Development, K-12…

By late 2008, the United States was in the midst of its most severe economic recession since the 1930s, brought on by a collapse in real estate prices and exacerbated by the failure of many large banks and financial institutions. Heeding calls from economists, Congress and the Obama administration passed an historic law in early 2009 to stimulate…

In the current competitive economy, with welfare reform underway and increasingly limited public resources, Colorado citizens deserve assurance that tax dollars are receiving a maximum return on investment for public expenditures for child care. This report examines the state of child care in Colorado. Part 1 presents information on 1998-1999…

Recent policy changes at the state and federal levels have made schools the focus of accountability. However, under current district budgeting practices, it is difficult to assess how resources are distributed between schools and whether every school is afforded the same opportunity to meet its educational goals. This paper addresses one key…

The origin of deregulation of higher education in Colorado, its effects, and implications for other states are discussed. In "How and Why It Happened," Thomas G. Tancredo traces the development of a new budgeting process, called MOU (memorandum of understanding). Under MOU each governing board is responsible for setting the expenditure…

Findings of a Southern Regional Education Board study of management flexibility and state regulation in higher education are discussed in five chapters. James R. Mingle in "Management Flexibility and State Regulation: An Overview" outlines the scope of the study, which focused on administrators' and board members' views on management…

The historical pattern of resource allocation in American higher education as exemplified by public colleges in Colorado was examined. The reliance upon average cost information in making resource allocation decisions was critiqued for the special problems that arise from student enrollment decline or steady state. A model of resource allocation…

Guidelines to help school district supervisors and business management personnel implement state-required financial policies and procedures are presented in this report. Steps to comply with Colorado regulations for budgeting, accounting, reporting, and auditing processes are discussed. Figures illustrate the budgeting cycle and schedule. (LMI)

The development and use of the faculty staffing forumla for Colorado, prepared by the Association of Public College and University Presidents (APCUP), is examined, and a recent major attempt to update or modify the formula is described, along with the outcome. Based on the work of representatives from many campuses, a large scale computer…