After being sued for inequity and inadequacy in school funding, many states in the US have reformed their education aid formulas but have still faced many criticisms. Using Connecticut as an example, this paper shows how to design a more equitable and adequate aid formula with tools to win broad support from communities and lawmakers. It develops…

The goal of this study is to simultaneously explore resource allocation across schools within large urban school districts and across all schools within major metropolitan areas that include those urban districts in the state of Texas. This study uses a three-year panel, from 2005 to 2007, for Texas elementary schools in the Houston, Dallas,…

This paper analyzes obstacles to educational equity by focusing on state policies and local actions in Massachusetts from 1978 to 1983. Three obstacles are examined in particular: conflicting state-level priorities, the tax revolt movement, and local autonomy. (TE)

Discusses the financial advantages of insuring school property through nonprofit state insurance programs, rather than through commercial insurance companies. Summarizes experiences with existing state insurance programs in the states of South Carolina, North Dakota, Alabama, North Carolina, and Wisconsin. (JG)

Investigates alternative measures of school district wealth, focusing on the issue of intergovernmental aid (particularly equalization aid), arguments for and against different wealth measures, jurisdictional implications of the use of alternative wealth measures in four states, and the effect of alternative wealth measures on state equalization…

Following adoption of a district power equalizing school aid formula intended to achieve equity in the distribution of general revenue, in per pupil expenditure, and in property taxes, significant progress was made toward attaining wealth neutrality that has subsequently been eroded by a depressed state economy. (MJL)

Examines the impact of declining enrollment on public elementary and secondary schools and discusses ways in which a state can deal with the declining enrollment problem through adjustments in its school finance system and through actions of the state education agency. (Author/JG)

Provides a demographic and fiscal profile of New Jersey's schools and analyzes equity implications of minimum teacher salary legislation for poor school districts. Direct salary impacts should not destabilize local finances or create undue fiscal distress. Other states considering similar legislation should first examine their economic…

To help educators understand the Hawaiian system of school finance, this article reviews previous studies, describes the state government's role in the budgetary process, and discusses statewide funding impacts in comparison with other urban school districts and states having similar per capita income and student achievement ratings. Includes two…

Traces the historical development of different approaches to special education, discusses the financial implications of the various approaches, and examines a number of alternative methods for financing the capital facilities costs and instructional operating costs of special education. (JG)

Reviews recent state and federal court decisions dealing with issues relevant to educational finance. Within the broad area of elementary-secondary education, specific cases involve school tax assessments, allocation of state school aid, school tax levy elections, and public support of a private segregated school. (JG)

Despite their eroding fiscal positions, state governments are responsible for establishing budget policy for both public elementary/secondary and higher education. As a Utah case study shows, the current political structure creates pressures for both competition and cooperation in optimizing scarce resources. This study advocates limited…