In 1969, the governor made a series of recommendations to the Legislature and to the people of Michigan regarding changes in the method of funding elementary and secondary schools. The current system, which relies heavily on the local property tax, has produced sizable inequities of educational opportunity among the children of the State. Since…

The tables in this compilation provide information about Wisconsin's 426 public school districts, their 2,063 schools, and 988 private schools in the state. In 1996-97, Wisconsin public schools served more than 879,000 students and private schools enrolled just over 150,000. Data are presented in a series of tables grouped into the following…

After decades of media attention, study, and lawsuits, the solution to inequities in school funding remains elusive. This paper examines several strategies that states have used to try to close the funding disparities in per-pupil spending. It explains the two definitions of equity in the school-finance arena and identifies some important trends…

The California Community College's (CCC) funding over the past two decades was examined in order to assist the 2005 Task Force of the Chancellor's Consultation Council develop strategies to address the challenges of the future. Findings comparing 1995 to 1975 indicated that: (1) CCC general revenues have tripled, but this increase is less than…

Statement 34 is the most significant change in the history of governmental accounting. It is a dramatic change in the way school districts report and present financial information. This new reporting model affects every public-school organization that issues financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP).…

The need for an adequate financial base for the future of quality early care and education (ECE) for young children is being increasingly recognized. This document presents the proceedings for a 1999 working meeting of individuals from diverse fields to identify and explore possible actions related to financing ECE for children birth through 5…

This paper examines the financial problems of California's community colleges caused by reduced local property tax support. In 1978 California voters enacted Proposition 13, a constitutional amendment that reduced taxes on real estate. The proposition's immediate effect on community college funding was a statewide, fifty-percent reduction in local…

Offers a brief history of library youth services and the political strategies behind them. Topics include the role of women, outreach programs of public libraries, tax support, library development after World War II, federal legislation and funding, National Library Week, school libraries, parent involvement, collaborative partnerships, and…

Examines school-funding equity litigation concerning rural schools, effects of political power on rural funding, rural and urban competition for funding, unique funding problems of rural schools, the growing threat to equity posed by sales-tax funding schemes, and future funding-litigation strategies for rural schools. Tables list relevant federal…

Describes a study of two community colleges and ten community college administrators to determine whether federal policies had influence on these institutions. Proposes a new policy framework, based on the findings, with five dimensions: (1) federal research support; (2) federal tax laws; (3) federal student financial aid; (4) funded mandates; and…

An overview is provided of the fiscal development of the Illinois public community college system. Introductory sections consider the history and administrative structure of the system, and explain special funding provisions of the Public Junior College Act of 1965. The next section provides a profile of past state appropriations, focusing on…

This paper describes current school-funding policy issues in Washington State. The first part examines how Initiative 601, an initiative aimed at curbing state taxes and spending, will create fiscal instability for school districts. Difficulties include an expected growth in school enrollment exceeding population growth, an expected growth of…

Maryland community colleges receive financial support from both the state and their local jurisdiction, as well as from student charges and other income from operations and investments. The proportion of local aid varies considerably across jurisdictions. A study was conducted at Prince George's Community College (PGCC) to measure local support…

After being placed on the back burner during the 1980s, school finance is again a major issue. In the 1970s, reliance on property taxes created school district disparities because of unequal tax bases. Legislative reforms enacted between 1971 and 1985 had the following characteristics: school finance formulas were revamped; the state role in…

Projections developed from the past quarter century trends in New York's tax and spending levels are used to forecast the future financial implications of current fiscal and educational policies. The summary report describes the manner in which the projections are achieved, identifies several concerns and issues associated with the fiscal outlook,…