Describes the political process that resulted in passage of a comprehensive state school aid equalization formula by the 1974 New Mexico legislature. Compares New Mexico's experience with various findings and concepts from the educational literature, particularly Berke's study of successful finance reform efforts. (JG)

Criticizes a model of educational attainment which incorporates differences in the distribution and control of educational resources between local authority areas, asserting that the developers of the model -- D.S. Byrne et al. -- committed errors which were so serious as to render their conclusions incorrect: their causal model is stated to be…

While Canada's system of community colleges, technical and specialized career institutes, vocational training centers, and other non-degree-granting postsecondary instutions have considerable diversity, the university system has limited institutional diversity, for a variety of reasons including geography, politics, and educational finance. (MSE)

Key policy actors in six states (Arizona, California, Illinois, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Wisconsin) indicate a strong national consensus about seven basic policy mechanisms. While school finance dominated policy making, personnel, testing, and program definition policies had importance, followed by school governance, curriculum materials,…

Discusses proposals the Reagan administration is expected to submit to Congress in 1982. Discusses 25 percent cutbacks in federal funding for educational programs with additional cuts scheduled for 1983. Predicts budgeting battles along with political struggles prompted by election campaigns. (DMM)

Examines the current economic climate in the United States and discusses the likely impact on the financial status of state and local governments in general and public schools in particular. (JG)

Identifies socioeconomic factors and political system variables associated with variation in educational policy outputs among developing nations. An effort is also made to determine which of these input factors has more significant influence on two educational policy dimensions: distributive spending and non-distributive spending. (Author/RK)

In spite of legislative and political problems, it is documented that in major cities which have partially or wholly desegregated an encouraging picture is emerging. (DM)

Explores the relationship of politics and education in Australia and describes seven important areas for future research. (JF)

Efforts of members of the Michigan higher education community to defeat a substantial 1980 tax-cut bill, Proposal D, before the state's voters were successful. The history and strategy of the campaign are described, including a coalition of 150 groups that raised funds and advertised their cause throughout the state. (MSE)

It is contended that future prospects for higher education are brighter than many anticipate. Political inertia acts to keep public spending near previous levels, and even during "down periods" educational resources seldom decline. (Author/PHR)

Draws on research measuring the impact of economic, demographic, and political variables on state and local education spending to examine the determinates of state spending patterns for education. Findings confirm the importance of the median voter in setting state funding priorities. Also finds political context and interest groups have…

An amendment to the Canada Assistance Plan, a national-provincial cost-sharing arrangement, is suggested. The adjustment would ensure that citizens in all provinces have access to comparable services and bear comparable tax burdens by allowing greater fiscal transfers to provinces with greater need and/or smaller tax bases. (Author/MSE)

Examines current trends in school finance reform and discusses some of the recent approaches taken by various states in modifying their educational finance schemes. Describes many of the political pressures working for and against the adoption of certain financial reforms. (JG)