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)

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

To convince voters to approve a school tax increase, school board members need to do the following: (1) show a fiscally tight and well-organized school district; (2) show the public that you care; (3) show a sense of personal and board conviction; (4) explain how decisions have been reached; and (5) educate the public about school issues. (MLF)

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…

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)

The author proposes a tax target plan by which taxpayers could earmark their payments to the local public school of their choice. Several levels of this plan are described and feasibility and costs discussed. (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…

School-business partnerships are flourishing across the country, but many schools and students are not being reached by these efforts. It is time now to look beyond the individual partnership programs and focus on systemwide issues in order to make the vast and fundamental improvements needed in public schools. Some corporate communities are…

Many states have found that financing public schools through local property taxes is unlawful under their state constitutions; as a result, they must consider using state tax revenue as the primary source of local school-district funding. The recent California experience provides a sample of political economic behaviors used to respond to the…

Factors to be considered when developing a new formula for financing public education in Connecticut are discussed in light of the Horton v. Meskill ruling, which declared Connecticut's financing method in violation of the state constitution. Formulas used by other states that may be applicable to Connecticut are also examined. (SF)

This report describes a study aimed to help education advocates protect public schools and services from the effects of certain types of economic development subsidies. These subsidies include cutting companies' property taxes and granting long-term diversions of certain districts' property taxes to corporations making investment in those…

To provoke public discussion about the role state aid should play in Vermont public education and to make a case for a state aid system structured on the broad principles of equal opportunity, fair tax burdens, and adequate funding levels, this booklet examines Vermont's system of school finance, attempting to highlight its history and its present…

Argues that recent federal education legislation will not eliminate unequal funding, school performance inequities, and student achievement gaps that have persisted in the poorest school districts. Asserts that adequate, equitable, and targeted human and financial resources and standards are necessary, and that the slight increases in federal…