This literature review on special education finance is based on computerized bibliographic searches, nominations from leading special educators, and citation searches. It is organized into four sections covering the following topics: (1) costs, (2) funding sources, (3) funding formulas for special education programs and services, and (4) fiscal…

The State of Minnesota funds its public schools primarily through a funding formula that provides school districts the same amount of revenue per pupil regardless of the size of their enrollment. An earlier study demonstrated that larger school districts incur less cost per pupil due to increased efficiency derived from economies of scale. This…

In 2003, the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) placed Cankdeska Cikana Community College (CCCC) on probation. The commission, part of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools, didn't have much choice, as the Fort Totten, North Dakota, college struggled with financial and administrative upheaval. But the college's accreditation was…

This study uses iterative solution techniques to determine empirically optimal standards for student to faculty ratios by discipline and student level for a group of 11 public, research universities, all of whom were members of the Association of American Universities. One set of benchmark standards was based on four-variable solutions within…

This publication presents excerpts from a literature review on the process of budgeting and assessing financial need requirements for public colleges and universities. Excerpts highlight funding formula approaches used by some states and higher education institutions, linking funding with educational quality, funding formula development and…

At the request of the state legislature, the California State Postsecondary Education Commission presents comments on "The Consortium," a 14-year-old external degree program which the California State University decided to disband. Commission comments on the university report include concerns over the funding mechanisms currently…

Because 66 of New Mexico's 89 public school districts experienced declines in 1981-82 enrollments and most were unable to decrease educational costs at the same rate as their decline in enrollment, the legislature requested a study on effects of declining enrollment and possible adjustments to the school distribution funding formula to cushion…

People for Education has tracked the effects of funding and policy changes on Ontario's secondary schools since 2000. In 2002-03, 168 public and Catholic secondary schools were surveyed province-wide. Findings indicate that high school has become a harsher environment for students as schools have become larger and student-to-staff ratios have…

This paper presents the public higher education system trends in Connecticut for 2005. This report contains the following sections: (1) FY 2005-2007 Operating Budget Summary; (2) Higher Education in a Statewide Context; (3) General Fund and Operating Budget Expenditure Trends; (4) Comparative Funding Indicators; (5) Enrollment Trends; (6) Degrees…

The federal government's more than thirty-year attempt to solve the problems of poverty--in particular, the diminished life chances of children from low-income households--has been, according to these authors, largely unsuccessful. Title I of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965 is, and has been, the most heavily funded…

The work of the Arizona Commission for Postsecondary Education (ACPE) is guided by a 5-year strategic plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide focus for the activity of this small agency and its eight staff members in order to increase productivity and impact in the areas of its statutory authority. The mission and goals were accepted by…

This monograph offers an overview of historical trends in the funding of special education programs, examines current issues, and considers directions for the future. After an introductory section, a section on historical perspectives notes trends in federal and state funding since 1975. A table shows the current funding formulas used by each…

A 5-year qualitative study of implementation of the Kentucky Education Reform Act (KERA) analyzes the effects on four rural school districts of large-scale changes in state policy. This annual report of the project focuses on five key KERA "strands." First, KERA mandates that grades K-3 be replaced with an ungraded primary program…

The effects of Chapter 2 block grants on fund distribution, programs, and school district spending, and the role played in Chapter 2 implementation by parents and citizens were investigated. Interim findings include the following: (1) there has been a massive redistribution of Federal funds away from States serving large numbers of poor nonwhite…

This report provides background information on California's academic standards, resources and funding mechanisms. Its findings point to relatively low levels of school spending, a gap between academic standards and school resources, a finance system based on previous funding levels rather than actual school resources and their costs, and questions…