A NEW FORMULA FOR MEASURING STATE EFFORT TO SUPPORT PUBLIC EDUCATION WAS PRESENTED IN THIS PAPER. THE MEASURE USED FOR EXPENDITURES RELATED TO CURRENT EXPENDITURES OF PUBLIC ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY SCHOOLS FOR GENERAL CONTROL, INSTRUCTIONAL SERVICE, OPERATION, MAINTENANCE, AND FIXED CHARGES AT STATE, INTERMEDIATE, AND LOCAL LEVELS OF…

Presents the arguments, pro and con, on the use of the local property tax to finance the schools. A bibliography is appended. (SJL)

Public school funding in America comes from federal, state, and local sources. Because nearly half of those funds are generated by local property taxes, the American system generates large funding differences between wealthy and impoverished communities. This paper reports on the characteristics of these financial inequities. It notes that sharp…

Reactions of school board members to a plan in which the government would provide families with a voucher for each school-age child, guaranteeing specific sums of money which could be paid as tuition to any "approved schools. Parents would be free to spend this to purchase educational services. Nonpublic and public schools could compete among…

The ramifications of a decision by the New Jersey Supreme Court that legislation shall provide for the maintenance and support of a "thorough and efficient" system of free public education for all children in the state from ages 5 to 18 are discussed. Salient points made by the court in the decision are examined, and ensuing reactions…

The need for a school food service was recognized at the beginning of the 20th century. Since then, many such programs, some adequate and some inadequate, have been initiated. There has, however, always been the problem of inadequate financing to provide lunches for a full day's nourishment and sufficiently inexpensive for every student. In most…

This report contains findings and recommendations based on a study conducted to determine the feasibility of merging the Pitt County and Greenville County (North Carolina) school systems. Each school system is described in terms of pupil population patterns, building use, and educational and administrative services; issues related to these…

This paper discusses an approach to solving the school financing problem that treats separately the twin concerns of taxational and educational equity. Part 1 reviews the decision of the California supreme court in Serrano 1 as it relates to these concerns and the manner in which the state district court on remand attempted to utilize the concept…

Social status, powerlessness, specific support, and taxpayer revolt are evaluated for their effects on willingness of white parents of school-age children to vote for school taxes in desegregating Florida school districts. (Available from Southern Political Science Association, 107 Peabody Hall, University of Florida, Gainesville FL 32611.)…

This paper reports on the protracted history of the Arkansas school-finance case, the longest-running school-finance lawsuit in the United States. It details in chronological sequence the lawsuit filed in 1992 by the Lakeview School District, a very small all African-American school district alleging that the state school-finance plan was…

The position is presented that state funding of public education would provide greater equality in the allocation of educational resources within each state; provide a broader, more reliable, and expansive revenue base; and revitalize local influence in educational policy. (Author/CTM)

The position is presented that local property taxes provide a stable source of income during periods of economic downturn and that state taxes and disbursements for education are less likely to receive popular support. (CTM)

The problems of tax limitations are illustrated by the effect of Proposition 13 on California's school systems. Changes in the tax structure caused the school system to cut summer programs; adult education; and special, small courses. This article discusses reasons behind this proposition and describes results. (DF)

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…