The funding mechanism for the public schools in the state of Mississippi had been surprisingly stable for a number of years. The funding formula existed in its same form for over a half century before it was substantially changed in 1994 when the Mississippi Adequate Education Program (MAEP) legislation was passed. This is the first external…

State funding mechanisms are subject to intense political and economic scrutiny. The question asked most often tends to be, is the public getting sufficient return on their investment? Accountability standards arising from the No Child left Behind Act (NCLB) have sharpened the focus of this question to whether the students and schools are meeting…

This study examines the relationship between educational effectiveness, as measured by the New Jersey High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA), and funding of school districts based on socioeconomic classification. Results indicate there is a strong relationship between performance in HSPA, socioeconomic classification, and the different sources…

Equity in community college finance can be considered in terms of equity among either community colleges, their students, or all public postsecondary institutions. Within each of these, one can examine equity to either providers or recipients of funding. Fragmentary evidence allows no conclusions yet in this area. (Author/RW)

The Seattle School District has experienced a steady enrollment decline over the last decade or more. Yet even when total revenues and revenue dollars per child are expressed in 1967 dollars, it is clear that the number of dollars spent per child on education is increasing. This is partially because it is not possible to reduce staff members as…

Article examined the remedies available to states in the wake of Serrano and its progeny. As well, it analyzed the strengths and weaknesses of "district power equalizing" and "full state assumption" as alternative methods of financing schools. (Editor/RK)

This collection of papers is the result of a project by the Institute for Higher Education Policy designed to explore the public policy aspects of higher education cost measurement (expenditure analysis). Papers come from a 1-day seminar in 1999 that brought together individuals knowledgeable about cost measurement with institutional leaders and…

A regression analysis of per pupil current expenditures across public elementary schools in Hawaii indicates that Hawaii's system of full State funding of its schools has not completely eliminated a positive correlation between expenditures and family income. This correlation is the result of a direct relation between teacher salary expenditures…

Principles for public school finance are outlined with respect to an equitable allocation of educational resources by the state. The argument is advanced that equal dollars per pupil is a practical, reasonable, acceptable and attainable initial basis for school financing. Objections to the equal dollars scheme are considered, leading to an…

While enrollment in Washington's 27 community colleges has risen from 74,363 in 1967 to nearly 160,000 in 1976, and full-time equivalent (FTE) enrollment has grown 113 percent to 90,000, legislative funding of the community college system has not kept pace with increases in enrollment. In 1969-70, the community colleges received $1,093 in state…

To help educators understand the Hawaiian system of school finance, this article reviews previous studies, describes the state government's role in the budgetary process, and discusses statewide funding impacts in comparison with other urban school districts and states having similar per capita income and student achievement ratings. Includes two…

Describes the history, rules and regulations, organizational chart, and accomplishments of Maryland's full state funding of school construction. Recommendations are made for other states. (MLF)

The focus of this article is upon an approach to allocating educational resources which is structured to minimize existing inadequacies in distribution procedures. It also presents some practical problems encountered in initiating a new allocation procedure at the State level. (Author)

This article examines some implications of the Serrano vs Priest decision for Oregon's system of financing public schools. The author presents one alternative financing method -- a Statewide system to assess, collect, and disburse to each district or county an amount equalized on a per student basis. The status of the school financing system in…

This handbook was created to provide the user with an informative reference of the various elements contained in the Louisiana Minimum Foundation Program formula. The MFP formula adopted by the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and approved by the Legislature determines the cost of a minimum foundation program of education in all…