Municipal overburden hypothesizes a causal relationship between high levels of nonschool municipal expenditure (due to high population density, aged housing stock, and other demographic factors) and low school spending levels. This article disproves the hypothesis by estimating demand for education expenditures using a median voter model. Includes…

The Birmingham (Alabama) school district regressed from a model system in 1926 to a poorly equipped, underfunded one in 1975. In that year, however, in spite of recession and joblessness, the citizens voted a $3 million tax increase for schools. The success of the election may be traced to several factors. Citizens were concerned about the…

This paper uses survey data collected during the 2 weeks following the November 4, 1980, election to answer questions concerning how local public education should be funded in the wake of the passing of Proposition 2 1/2, a measure that requires high tax rate cities and towns to reduce property tax levies by at least 15 percent per year until they…

Attendees at the symposium did not agree that Indiana has a tax problem, and discussion about eliminating property taxes and establishing an alternative tax structure seemed inconsistent to many who participated. Attendees felt they did not have a clear sense of the objectives for a new tax plan. They were open, however, to continuing discussion,…

Washington State faces the challenge of balancing a number of conflicting economic and political conditions that impact K-12 education either directly or indirectly. These include reduced vehicle license fees, an existing statewide spending limit, a state revenue surplus, proposals to provide property-tax relief, proposed voter initiatives to…

Discusses Milwaukee's (Wisconsin) use of public tax dollars to finance private education and what the implications are for public schools. Examines how the controversial concept got started, its support in the courts, and the pros and cons of its implementation on public schools relative to the school-choice debate. (GR)

This study attempted to determine the knowledge of Tennessee public school finance on the part of teachers, businessmen, school administrators, elected officials, and industrial workers. Students in a class on public school finance administered the questionnaire to over 1,000 subjects. Results revealed that respondents feel that public education…

This paper provides an overview of financing patterns and mechanisms for public education and other services for children. It describes overall levels of support and significant trends over time in funding patterns. The paper also compares and contrasts the financing arrangements and trends in the different children's service sectors, highlighting…

Results of this study will be used to assess the possibilities and limitations of staff development as an instrument of state and local policy for improving educational quality in the public schools in California. Four basic questions were addressed: (1) What is the total California taxpayer investment in staff development and what forms do the…

It is proposed that New Jersey assume approximately 70 percent of the cost of its public schools. Several other proposals are presented, all a radical departure from current school funding practices. (BW)

The effects of tax deductibility on American education are discussed in this report, which is based on the premise that alteration by the Federal Government of the deduction for state and local taxes will exacerbate taxpayer resistance and increase cuts in public services, ultimately undercutting public support for education. The discussion offers…

Since the publication of the seventh edition of this textbook in 1999, there have been many new developments in the education finance arena. Those changes are discussed in this eighth edition. Additional new material includes Internet resources, new exercises for further "laboratory" work, updated figures and tables, and fresh information on court…

Financial support of elementary and secondary education in Canada has gone from absolute local dependence to local with some government support to local with substantial government support to current total government support with restricted, if any allowed, local support. This has been challenged on constitutional grounds in two provinces, Alberta…

Reviews the United States' fiscal situation and the outlook for local, state, and federal government support of education. Focuses on the impact of decentralization of education financing under a conservative government and on the influence of federal budget deficits on school finance. Includes suggestions for educators in seeking financial…

This report attempts to provide a comprehensive picture of total federal financial support for education since fiscal year 1980. It takes into account programs that reside in Federal agencies other than the Department of Education if they have significant educational components. Federal support for education, excluding estimated Federal tax…