Summarizes the findings of an Educational Testing Service study on the effectiveness of New Jersey's 1976 state reforms to equalize school taxes and to provide a "Thorough and Efficient" education. (SJL)

In the light of the uncertain benefits and the understated but escalating costs of public services, it is hardly irrational for taxpayers to attack the problem through the cost side. (Author)

Simulates effects on educational expenditures in the Boston metropolitan area of establishing a statewide tax on commercial and industrial property to finance state aid for education. Concludes that removing business property from the local tax base for education would adversely affect the pattern of educational expenditures in the Boston area.…

Recounts how the school district alienated the voters and how it won them back. (IRT)

The combined effect of the "Serrano" decision and Proposition 13 left California school districts with aging, overcrowded facilities. Chico schools won a $18.5 million general obligation bond election for facilities construction. With $11 billion needed for new school construction, California will need to tap local sources. A sidebar…

According to the 21st annual Gallup/Phi Delta Kappa poll, the public favors school choice, a more standardized national curriculum, improvement of public school quality in poorer and innercity areas, reduction of class size in early grades, afternoon school and summer programs for children of working parents, and increased state and federal…

Finds that school property taxes have been substantially reduced under the new Michigan school finance system and have been replaced with new state revenues, although it is uncertain whether these new state dollars will be available in a recession. Finds that substantial disparities remain between Michigan school districts in revenues and…

School districts are caught in a financial squeeze with reduced federal funding, recessionary reductions at the state level, and political pressures against raising taxes. School districts are searching for alternative sources of funds including school impact fees and business partnerships. One method, tax abatement, often costs districts because…

In Canada, a local school system's budget is financed from provincial grants, a local school tax, and miscellaneous revenues. The bulk of provincial grant revenue is allocated to counteract inequalities in the wealth base. Two tables and one figure display information by province. (seven references) (MLF)

Thanks to a supportive business community, the three villages comprising Cuyahoga (Ohio) School District have been able to run two major tax-abatement programs efficiently. Since the program's inception in 1985, the district's budget has increased from about $3 million to $10 million. Tips are provided. (MLH)

The history of school finance reform in the last 75 years provides a context for considering future school finance issues and the different school finance problems faced by the various states. From 1900 to 1965 states provided foundation aid to school districts. In the mid-1960s federal aid was added for special needs students. In the late 1960s…

Describes some of the major trends and developments in Canadian school finance and discusses some of the key school finance issues presently facing provincial governments. (Author/JG)

The second in a series on school finance, this report describes the principles of fair and adequate state and local income taxation. The political setting is discussed, and the nature of indiviudal income taxes is explained by examining which states tax income and what income they tax. Tables 2, 3, and 4 demonstrate the expanding school financing…

Because Louisiana is facing financial difficulties, the impact of reductions in federal aid since 1980 has been severe. With a state economy dependent on gas, oil, and agriculture, Louisiana suffers when oil prices are low and farming costs are high. Reduced tax income for the state lowers state spending, forcing additional enterprises out of…

This study examines repercussions of the incentive nature of the Manitoba property tax credit plan in relation to local school systems' taxation practices during 1978 to 1981. Data from municipalities and province school systems were obtained from the Manitoba departments of education and municipal affairs. Investigation was carried out in five…