In January 2016, the Center for Law and Social Policy (CLASP) commenced an 18-month project to study the implementation of California's Adult Education Block Grant (AEBG) initiative. AEBG's purpose is "to improve coordination and better serve the needs of adult learners within each region." CLASP set out to foster greater understanding…

This report, one of a series, analyzes states' decisions on how to use block grant funds. Under block grants, states obtained greater decision-making authority to set program priorities and determine the use of funds than they had under the prior categorical programs. At the same time, federal appropriations to states under block grants were…

A variety of federal, state, and local programs provide public financial or in-kind support of private schools. This paper explores the impact of selected federal programs on minority employment patterns and focuses on the factors accounting for variation in racial staffing patterns among public, Catholic, and private schools. The study concludes…

This paper traces the historical context of the passage and implementation of Vermont's Act 230 in 1990, which initiated a new special education funding system to increase equity, predictability, and flexibility in program design as well as to ensure placement neutrality. Specific objectives of the funding system included increasing the use of…

This report reviews the method and level of funding for special education facility needs in California and recommends modifications. It begins by summarizing special education programs, describes classroom needs, and finally discusses past and present facilities funding methods. A discussion of various options for funding special education…

This report is based on data collected in a 2-year study of the implementation of Chapter 2 of the Educational Consolidation and Improvement Act of 1981, which combined the funds from 28 federal programs into a single block grant. This study investigated the effects of the act on 12 school districts, in an effort to obtain a better general…

"A Nation at Risk" and other recent reports have focused public attention on excellence in education. During the same period, the federal government has cut aid to education by almost 20 percent and consolidated federal funding into block grant programs, which some critics have claimed are less efficient than programs before…