A major feature of the school finance landscape over the last two decades has been the reform of state school finance systems. Using the case of Maryland's Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act, this paper extends the current literature by developing a conceptual framework for residential bidding and sorting and using it to estimate housing…

Seven people knowledgeable about school finance discuss the effects of finance reform at the state level. (IRT)

Using data on school finance alternatives, taxpayer characteristics, and district financing in the Portland (Oregon) metropolitan area, this study tested the taxpayer equity yielded by several models of school financing. The results indicate that greater equity would occur if the state assumed a larger share of school support. (RW)

Summarizes arguments for and against replacing the local school property tax by a local school income tax. Explores the empirical effects of such policies for New York State. Using a 3% income tax and refashioning state aid to a foundation level of $8,068 per pupil would not require substantial new state revenues. (38 footnotes) (MLH)

The partial financing of New York State's public schools with a state-mandated tax coupled with state aid based upon county or regional wealth rather than local district wealth would provide greater equalization of both revenues and expenditures of school districts than does the present law. A comparable increase in state aid appropriations under…

Argues against John's suggestion that state equalization aid to local school districts should be based on measures of per-capita income and assessed property valuation per capita, rather than on measures of local tax revenue and assessed property valuation per pupil. (JG)

Analysis of figures nationwide indicates that local school districts have reduced their reliance on property taxes while states have increased support for schools. However, states face serious fiscal problems, and the property tax system should be reviewed in light of the need for more local support for schools. (MJL)

Presents a conceptual framework showing that state policy choices affecting division of school financing responsibilities and targeting of state aid to poorer school districts determine the degree of taxpayer equity. The framework explains the relationship between taxpayer and pupil equity and provides indicators to evaluate how state school…

Discusses the interplay of legal, fiscal, and educational policy surrounding the implementation of the New Jersey landmark decision, Robinson vs Cahill. (Author)

Summarizes the findings of an Educational Testing Service study on the effectiveness of New Jersey's 1976 state reforms to equalize school taxes and to provide a "Thorough and Efficient" education. (SJL)

Simulates effects on educational expenditures in the Boston metropolitan area of establishing a statewide tax on commercial and industrial property to finance state aid for education. Concludes that removing business property from the local tax base for education would adversely affect the pattern of educational expenditures in the Boston area.…

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…

Describes a study of how Oregon's 1979 Property Tax Relief Plan affected school district decisions about expenditures and tax levy requests, and discusses implications of the findings. (PGD)

Simulation of the effects of five selected fiscal constraint programs was compared. The authors conclude that fiscal limits are unlikely to have large effects on a state's total economic activity, and any impacts may be negative. The revenue sources and expenditures most affected are policy decisions; education is a significant loser under…