The fourth in a series of technical reports on public education finance in Oregon, this study identifies significant developments from 1968 to 1983 in elementary and secondary finance as well as probable future trends. In addition, it briefly compares the financial standings among Oregon school districts and compares Oregon's school finance system with that of other states. Forty-five variables, for items as diverse as student population and consumer price indexes, are computed to show average annual rates of growth or decline in factors affecting school finance. As the most reflective of recent trends, those factors emphasized for discussion are student enrollment, school staffing, expenditures, revenues, state property tax relief, and projections for future student enrollment, future economic trends in general, and future school operating expenditures and revenues. A comparison of Oregon school districts then surveys relative levels of state aid to schools and computes the extent of property tax relief and equalization that state aid affords to school districts. Finally, Oregon is ranked in comparison to other states on such bases as per capita expenditures for local schools and percentages of federal support. (JW)