Explores the recent status of funding formula use among the states, focusing on changes over the last eight years. Determines how guidelines or formulas drive usage and discusses innovations in formula design. Funding formulas are becoming more complex and are used to protect base budgets and achieve equity. Although formula usage will not…

Examines all 50 states' methods of funding public higher education, handling changing enrollments, and employing formulas to set budgets for higher education administration, instruction, libraries, student services, public safety, and facilities. Presents data on computational methods, base factors, cost categories, and numbers of formulas used…

Describes six alternative models for consolidating and distributing federal education funds and evaluates them in terms of equity, potential for disruption, and changes in allocations among states and revenue requirements. (WD)

The capacity of funding formulas to distribute adequate state funds to public colleges and universities equitably has been often debated, prompted by demands for economy, wise resource usage, and accountability. Between 1984 and 1988, the number of states using funding formulas decreased from 34 to 32. Change is inevitable. Includes 17 footnotes.…

Mixed messages--a legislature intending to repair school finance system inequities and a governor claiming the problem is "fixed" by a $100 million construction grant--characterized the beginning of Arizona's 1997 legislative session. Charter schools, school-based management, vouchers, and property-tax reforms are also discussed. (MLH)

This article reviews the development of state funding formulas or guidelines for public higher education. Originally viewed as a means to distribute public funds in a rational and equitable manner, they now are complicated methodologies. Funding formulas are all-inclusive or itemized; most states use the itemized approach. There are three…