Across the country, states and districts are designing principal evaluation systems as a means of improving leadership, learning, and school performance. Principal evaluation systems hold potential for supporting leaders' learning and sense of accountability for instructional excellence and student performance. Principal evaluation is also an…

This guide introduces and updates information on the Arizona public school finance system. It is intended to promulgate a wider understanding of public school finance. It includes tables and figures listing revenue support trends and regulations. Topics cover school district financing prior to 1980, the "bucket-of-need" analysis of…

Explains how one North Carolina school district was able to pass high-dollar bond issues for school construction. Discusses the planning and bidding processes, and the district's philosophy towards incorporating innovative changes in design and equipment. (GR)

A 2-hour videotape presentation explores the crisis in school building quality in the United States as illustrated by public schools found in Ohio; the challenges dilapidated school facilities impose on child health, safety, and the physical learning environment; and the difference that money makes in providing high-quality educational facilities.…

Two Pennsylvania school districts have been simultaneously declared financially "distressed" and are operated by a court-appointed board of control. Describes legislation drafted to statutorily establish an early warning system so that the state can assist districts with management and budgeting advice before it becomes necessary to…

Describes the potential perils of corporate tax incentives for communities. Discusses practices that drain funding from public schools--tax abatements, tax-increment financing, and industrial bonds. Three sidebars are included. (LMI)

This series of five booklets has been developed to provide Oregon public school district administrators with suggestions for cost containment and increasing productivity. The five sections focus on the following topics: (1) the problem of declining funds for schools and solution strategies; (2) cost-saving tips for district and school-level…

This book updates the classic text "Public School Fund Accounting Principles and Procedures" (Tidwell 1960). The book is designed to be used primarily as a textbook at the graduate level with students training to be school administrators, school business administrators, or principals. A list of topics covered include an overview of school…

More important than issues of funding equity are questions of how poor school districts can improve student achievement using new resources. The article discusses how schools can increase achievement following funding equalization, examining the nature of funding inequity, making a difference with funding equity, and effective programs for…

Boles Independent School District (Texas) serves 360 students and is the poorest district in Texas. Yet, due to the aggressiveness of its superintendent and staff, Boles has pieced together a technology program that equals or surpasses those of larger neighboring districts with more resources. This success is derived from creativity,…