Outlines the components of the networks supporting school finance reform (increasing spending to increase equity) and supporting spending or tax limitations. Discusses areas of conflict between the two networks. Available from Transaction Periodicals Consortium, Dept. 541, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ 08903. (IRT)

Under the basic plan, taxpayers in owner-occupied residences would indicate their preferences by directing their school taxes to the public school of their choice within the district. The various schools would be dependent on patron choices for a small portion of the school budget. (Author/IRT)

Summarizes state tax relief legislation that was supported by the Joint State Legislative Committees of the National Retired Teachers Association and the American Association of Retired Persons. Notes that generating public and political support for increased funding for education will be a challenge in the current fiscal climate. (Author/IRT)

In November 1978, Idaho voters approved an initiative that limited property taxes to 1 percent of a property's 1978 market value and that limited the property's growth in market value to 2 percent per year. Due to the initiative's imprecise wording and incompatibility with Idaho statutes, the 1979 Idaho Legislature passed two bills designed to…

In June 1978, California voters approved Proposition 13, limiting property taxes to 1 percent of a property's market value and limiting the property's growth in market value to 2 percent per year. The immediate effect of the limitations was to reduce property tax revenues by $7 billion, of which $3.1 billion would have gone to the schools. The…

The administration's proposal to end state and local tax deductions could cost public schools $24 billion in funding cuts and has far reaching ramifications for public education. Projections of state-by-state losses are presented as well as projections of tax liability increases to individuals and businesses. (MD)

This article examines the trend toward tax reduction in many states and discusses the possible effects on educational finance. (MC)

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…

Discusses Oklahoma's school finance legislation of 1981, designed to promote fiscal neutrality among districts and vertical equity for students while maintaining a partnership between the state and local districts in financing education. Proposes total commitment by Oklahoma to percentage equalizing, noting that the revenue potential exists. (PGD)

Argues that tax-target plans, which would permit taxpayers to earmark a fraction of local property tax dollars to specific items or schools, would foster the natural tendencies of social stratification. (Author/MLF)

Argues that tax-target plans address the taxpayers' desire to have monies spent as they would wish so that school services somewhat reflect their own preferences and not solely those of others. (Author/MLF)

States have made major strides in devising more equitable school finance plans. Constructive debates still occur, however, over the choice of basic funding plans, the balancing of taxes and expenditures in new finance plans, and the need and feasability of coordinating financial and educational reform movements. The resolution of these debates at…

As states modify their school finance systems in pursuit of equity, play a larger role in setting the level of teacher salaries, and link school finance and improvement, state control of schools is growing. However, state support of schools will decrease as property taxes increase. (DCS)

The author examines sources of taxpayer discontent with property taxes and with public education. He proposes full state funding as a solution to education's financial dilemma. (Author/SJL)

Discussion of inequity in funding of Pennsylvania schools has tended to focus on differences between wealthy and poor school districts. In Pennsylvania, 180 school districts have filed a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the existing public school funding scheme. A study of the state's 500 school districts, grouped by market value of…