The fourth report in a series on school finance describes how state school finance formulas are differentiated and the calculations used to measure local need, wealth, and effort. The following topics are addressed: (1) criteria for evaluating state school finance programs; (2) origins of state school aid formulas; (3) operation of equalization…

An overview of the constitutionality of various state public education finance systems is presented. Issues addressed include education as a fundamental right mandated by the education clause of state constitutions and the impact of the equal protection clause on the education clause. Criteria for successful challenges to state school finance…

This paper focuses on the characteristics of Massachusetts voters who support Proposition 2 1/2, a stringent property tax limitation measure. Section I uses cross-tabular analysis to examine variations in support for the tax limitation measure across a number of demographic, household, and municipal characteristics, as well as attitudinal…

This report is an update of the 1984 study "Indiana's Public Schools: An Analysis of the Past and Recommendations for the Future," which examined the Indiana school finance formula used to fund public education in the state. A fresh look is taken as a result of formula changes, and the effect of these changes on expenditures for public…

The finances of major school districts in New York State during 1980-81 and 1981-82 are summarized in this report. Trend data are provided on full value, expenses, State aid, tax rates, and local levy. These items are also shown on a per pupil basis for the entire State, New York City, and the balance of the State. Eleven statistical tables are…

This paper describes funding formulas for the new Foundation School Program in Texas enacted under the Education Opportunity Act (H.B. 72), raises issues that have accompanied its first year of implementation, and provides preliminary data to compare prior and existing law. The state finance system, which previously distributed state aid according…

State-level policy leaders were surveyed in fall 1981 to determine the emerging issues in postsecondary education among the states and to ascertain policy leaders' attitudes toward these issues. A total of 683 surveys were distributed and 214 usable surveys were returned, representing 202 agencies. The overall impressions created by policy…

Based on information provided by state directors of community/junior college education, this report reviews state approaches to community college financing. The report includes data from 35 states, which together accounted for 86.3% of the total enrollment in community/junior colleges in 1980. Section I presents conclusions drawn from the data,…

Although the Illinois Farmland Assessment Act is not an educational finance reform but is designed to ease the increasing tax burden on the state's farmland and provide a uniform, state-wide method of farmland tax valuation, it has a significant impact on K-12 public school financing because of the relationship between property and public school…

The role of the state in funding California's community colleges may change in the wake of Proposition 13 cutbacks. Any system of statewide support must be developed around several assumptions: (1) state support will increase; (2) the college mission will remain unchanged; (3) educational demand will continue to play a substantial role in how the…

In this series of aphoristic remarks about the situation of English teachers in the junior college, the following topics are discussed: administrative structure and accountability; teacher load; part time instructors and professionalism; Proposition 13; literacy and junior college students; evaluation of student papers; careerism in teachers and…

In response to advocates of an expanded mission for community colleges, this three-part monograph examines the conflict between aspirations for continuing mission development and financial constraints. Part I reviews the development of six aspects of the current community college mission: transfer, vocational, developmental, continuing education,…

In a collection of statistical summaries, the following information regarding New Mexico two-year colleges is presented for each institution: (1) 1977-78 average full-time faculty salaries; (2) 1975-76 unrestricted expenditures for instruction, academic support, student services, institutional support, and plant operation; (3) local district tax…

In this paper, the political and economic forces influencing attempts to reduce the inequalities in education expenditures are examined. Current programs for financing public education (local, State, and Federal) are compared. In general, State-local tax systems are found to be regressive and improvements are suggested. Inequitability of State aid…

This report combines a theoretical study of state school aid programs with an empirical study of school districts' responses to such programs. The author's theoretical investigation of existing systems of general state aid to school districts suggests two propositions: school districts do not maximize an ordinary utility function in the light of…