A major feature of the school finance landscape over the last two decades has been the reform of state school finance systems. Using the case of Maryland's Bridge to Excellence in Public Schools Act, this paper extends the current literature by developing a conceptual framework for residential bidding and sorting and using it to estimate housing…

Not long after he took office in January, California Governor Jerry Brown presented residents of his state with a simple, stark plan for correcting the state's massive budget imbalance. The Democrat called for making deep and painful cuts to programs across government, while sparing schools. To raise revenue, he proposed allowing the public to…

The May primary election added seven school district referenda to the total number occurring in Indiana since 2008, three of which passed and four of which were rejected by voters. In the 2011 primary election, there were five General Fund referenda and two construction referenda. Of General Fund referenda, two passed (Crown Point Community School…

This policy brief reviews the recent experience of the San Francisco Unified School District (SFUSD) with the development and approval of Proposition A. Proposition A (also known as the Quality Teacher and Education Act, or QTEA) included a parcel tax mainly dedicated to increasing teachers' salaries, along with a variety of measures introducing…

Traces the presence of tax burden equity and educational funding equity interests in recent court rulings in order to place Connecticut's Horton vs Meskill in context. Also describes the California and New Jersey state legislatures' responses to similar state Supreme Court rulings on school finance. (Author/IRT)

This study identifies the features of state tax systems that contribute to tax equity. It also identifies states that have come closest to achieving those features and ranks the states accordingly. Thus, the greater the conformity, the more equitable the tax system, and the higher the state's ranking. The study looks at the four major tax areas of…

This report contains the results of an extensive study into State and local tax revenue potentials for the 15 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) States. It identifies both the degree of current use and the potential for increased use of (1) general and selective sales and gross receipts taxes, (2) death and gift taxes, (3) property taxes,…

The 1990 Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) was passed in an atmosphere of excitement, optimism, and national attention. Recent survey results suggest that most Kentucky residents want KERA to succeed and are willing to provide the necessary resources. However, skepticism may be increasing. Support differs according to several demographic…

This report contains the results of an extensive study into State and local tax revenue potentials for the 15 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) States. It identifies, on a State-by-State basis, both the degree of current use and the potential for increased use of (1) general and selective sales and gross receipts taxes, (2) death and gift…

This report contains results of an extensive study into State and local tax revenue potentials for the 15 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) States and presents quantitative data on the 50 State-local tax systems. Data set forth in the 35 statistical tables enable the researcher to compare his State's total tax revenues with those of each of…

Taxpayer unhappiness with increasing property taxes have prompted changes to Wisconsin's school finance system. In the midst of providing property-tax relief, the new tax base structure remains intact and allows school districts to exceed their revenue limits with a majority vote in districtwide elections. Debate is ongoing. (MLH)

Assesses the impact of state school finance reform legislation in the seventies on state and local distribution of educational funds, and concludes that expenditure disparities (between rich and poor districts) has increased nationally. (PKP)

The Kentucky constitution's intent was to found a free system of common schools. Historically, local support for Kentucky public schools has left much to be desired. Taxpayer reluctance to support schools through local property taxation is exacerbated by state legislation overtly discouraging this approach. Efficiency is, therefore, impossible.…

Alaska's Public School Foundation Program, based on an instructional unit funding formula, enables the state to meet fiscal equalization criteria outlined in the federal PL 81-874 law (the disparity test). Alaska must meet the guidelines to utilize approximately $44 million in PL 81-874 funds within the state foundation plan as general revenues.…