This study tracks Federal block grant monies and their impact on the poor of Illinois. The hypothesis prompting the study was that the state has distributed a smaller proportion of its Federal block grant funds to those counties with the highest proportion of the state's poor as compared with the proportional distribution of Federal dollars under…

In its analysis of the impact of the proposed Presidential budget for fiscal year l984 on the future well-being of black children and families, this report recommends that social programs assisting these families in harsh economic times be improved rather than reduced. Specifically, the social programs or service areas discussed include Child…

Much of the contention and rhetoric would lessen if there were more federal money for existing block grants and fewer categorical programs; if the federal money were made available in a timely fashion; if Congress would simplify existing programs and attempt less regulation; and if an effective system of coordination and joint human services were…

Summarizes the history of federal aid to education appropriations and explains the characteristics of categorical grants, general aid, and block grants. Appended are 16 notes. (MLF)

Most district officials interviewed expressed satisfaction with the simplified application procedures and increased district discretion offered by the Education Consolidation and Improvement Act. Perceived negative aspects included the amount of funding and possibility of a decrease, the potential neglect of research, the loss of federal…

Analysis of formula allocations plus discretionary grants of Chapter 2 funds to the 28 largest school districts reveals decreases in funding in 16 districts formerly receiving the greatest Emergency School Aid Act allocations. These districts generally experienced smaller cuts under the block grants than during the year before consolidation. (MJL)

The senator explains the basic concepts of New Federalism, including a rethinking of responsibilities and intergovernmental relations and a reconsideration of the role of state and local government. (SK)

Federal block grants, in contrast to categorical programs and revenue sharing, allow states and localities considerable flexibility in meeting needs within broad functional areas; but, they are also designed to assure that funds are spent to pursue national objectives. Before 1981, block grants included varying levels of recipient accountability…

Defines the block grant concept and outlines the consequences of the financial freedom offered by block grants from both microeconomic and macroeconomic perspectives. Considers effects on institutional autonomy and economic efficiency. Recommends combining marginal cost pricing with formula-matching block grants to support decentralized education.…

Defines block grants and describes their relationship to categorical aid programs. Discusses potential pros and cons of block grants for states and for local school districts, including intense competition for funds, and specifies strategic steps that school boards might take at the local, state, and federal levels. (CJM)

While most categorical programs are subject to problems stemming from local, state, and Federal overlap, the problems produced by these parallel structures in bilingual education appear to be dissipating through local capacity-building, increased state legislation for bilingual education, and Federal awareness of its role and support for state and…

The conclusions of the U.S. General Accounting Office (GAO) concerning the effects of consolidating federal categorical aid programs into block grant programs are presented in this report. The block grants reviewed were established before 1981 under the Partnership for Health Act, the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act, the Comprehensive…

Reviews the fiscal effects on 28 of the largest U.S. school districts of the shift in federal funding of education from categorical aid to block grants. Focuses on the longitudinal pattern of funding, the status of desegregation efforts, and the level of participation of private school students. (PGD)

School district central office administrators were studied to determine the effects of state and federal regulatory policies for categorical funding on administrative costs and administrator behavior. Findings showed significant hidden program costs for local districts. Additionally, regulations diverted local managers from educational concerns to…

Categorical education programs provide state funding to schools and local education agencies for the purchase of specific types of local services, such as transportation, subsidized meals, and supplemental instruction. California has at least 57 separate categorical programs. This document provides an overview of California's experience with…