The reauthorization of the Higher Education Act is a major education priority of the 109th Congress. Many provisions within HEA have a direct impact on programs at the elementary and secondary levels. CAPE believes that federal higher education programs that benefit public school students and teachers should provide equitable benefits to…

Presents a broad overview of issues related to adult-literacy education policy, focusing on Texas. Looks at the nature and extent of the need for adult-literacy development in Texas; funding, access and equity for populations needing services; quality of the adult-literacy workforce; promising new directions; and implications for…

This paper presents results of a study designed to determine whether each university in Florida's State University System (SUS) was being treated fairly by the funding methodologies used by the Legislature and the Board of Regents (BOR). The paper provides an examination of the generational formulas used by the Legislature and the BOR that result…

This report presents results of a study investigating the process used by the Board of Regents (BOR) for developing its legislative budget request, as well as the process used by the BOR for allocating appropriations among the universities. The report also includes an assessment of the extent to which funds are allocated on an equitable basis for…

Reviews published assessments of the effects of preservice training for mainstreaming or multicultural education. Compares studies to determine: (1) what was meant by mainstreaming or multicultural education in various programs; (2) what outcomes were used to assess program effectiveness; and (3) what was found about the effectiveness of the kinds…

This article explores the concept of vertical equity in light of school reform efforts aimed at increasing academic outcomes for all students. Vertical equity, or the idea that students who bring certain educational needs to the classroom require additional resources to address those needs within the educational process, is useful as a way to…

While there are many factors that determine the quality of a public school, inequitable and insufficient school funding is a major obstacle to improving public education for all children. When it comes to funding public education, Illinois has a serious problem. Not only does the state limit its commitment to adequately fund public schools, but it…

State supreme courts have had major impacts on education policy and service delivery in recent years through their rulings on the constitutionality of existing school-finance systems. This paper reviews the legal context against which current debates about the merits of alternative plans for school-finance reform are being played out. It reviews…

A theory that urges judges to decide that locally financed school systems are unconstitutional holds that courts must implement reforms because the legislative process is dominated by property-rich communities. However, the defeat of a New Hampshire gubernatorial candidate who advocated such reforms contradicts the theory. (JOW)

After a brief history of the states' role in financing public schools since 1970, their current fiscal status and budgetary actions are reviewed. The impact of tax-cutting initiatives on California and Massachusetts schools and districts' solutions are considered. Guiding principles for allocating reduced funds are proposed. (MJL)

With reference to current fiscal distress in California, sources of school district revenue are described, potential local revenue sources identified, and equity issues involved in increased local funding noted. (MJL)

In states that depend on property taxes for school revenues, fair administration of the property tax is essential to ensure equitable state aid to all districts. Questions relevant to implementing a strategy for enhancing public support of the property tax as a source of local school revenue are answered in this report. The questions deal with the…

This document discusses major issues in urban school finance. It has been developed around four major sections. First, it reviews the role of the states in urban school finance, using published materials and documents from the Education Commission of the States. Second, it discusses recent developments in urban school finance litigation dealing…

In 1997, an active year for school-finance legislation, states responded in a variety of ways to court decisions. This report provides an overview of school-finance legislation for that year. Historically, school-finance suits have focused on the equity and adequacy of state funding, and the decisions handed down in 1997, for the most part,…

With the state facing lawsuits over school funding, the Joint Interim Subcommittee on School Funding of the Montana Legislature recommended establishing guaranteed tax base aid to schools. The subcommittee made the recommendations in November 1992 to the 53rd Legislature. The legislation, LC 36, would equalize funding for school district facility…