In an effort to improve the effectiveness of the state's two-year colleges and universities, the Ohio Board of Regents has proposed the establishment of a three-part funding system. The first element would be a foundation of state support based on campus enrollments and costs to provide basic budgetary stability. The second element would link a…

Less than half of the challenges to unequal state school financing laws have succeeded. And among those challenges that were successful, funding equity has eroded over time and the litigation has been costly and protracted. However, judicial remedy is still a possible means for restoring equity in school financing and improving education. Most of…

This collection of essays analyzes the history, philosophy, and politics of the forms of early childhood provision outside the home for young children in Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In particular, the essays examine the extent to which that provision is considered educational and intended to…

Maryland's Challenge Grant Program was designed to bring systemic change to schools with relatively low performance levels. This paper presents findings of an ethnographic study that examined the workings of an educational reform effort across several levels of administration. Specifically, the study explored conditions that facilitated and…

This report summarizes special item funding for public universities, health-related institutions, technical colleges, and community colleges in Texas for fiscal years (FYs) 1996 and 1997, as provided by House Bill 1, 74th Legislature (General Appropriations Act). "Special items" are defined as appropriations made to selected institutions…

Since the establishment of a two-year college system in Kansas in 1917, funding has been a source of consternation, with governance issues often exacerbating financial problems. The colleges received no state financial support until 1961, when an expenditure of $3 per credit hour was authorized, increased as of 1996 to $28.40 per credit hour. The…

A Children's Defense Fund (CDF) survey indicates that many AFDC families are being forced to place their children in low-quality and potentially dangerous child care. Family Support Act (FSA) childcare typically lacks basic health and safety and precautions, fails to provide sufficient assistance to support quality childcare and preschool…

In 1994, Michigan voters amended the state constitution to reduce schools' reliance on local property taxes for financial support. School districts were also divided into three funding tiers that were determined by their 1993-94 state and local revenues. This paper presents findings of a study that examined the impact of Michigan's finance reform…

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission (THEC) is responsible for the annual development and adoption of specific policies and formulas for the equitable distribution of monies in the area of educational instruction and academic support, including libraries. Two formulas are applied to determine funding: Full-Time Equated (FTE) enrollment…

This paper presents findings of a study that analyzed the trends that will shape the California budget over the next decade. The study assumed that current demographic and economic trends, tax policies, and mandated spending programs will continue through the next decade, and projects their implications for state general-fund revenues and spending…

This study examined line item funding for medical education in Ohio, both for general-purpose subsidies and for special programs intended to alleviate shortages of physicians in certain medical specialties and geographic locations. Spending by the State for all medical education in 1991 totaled $140.1 million. Four specific programs were funded:…

This report tabulates state funding for higher education, comparing 1996-97 and 1995-96 appropriations. It reviews recent trends, fiscal pressures, political realities, reallocation, restructuring, and reorganizations. Among the report's conclusions is that current financing constraints are reflections of fundamental changes in the structure of…

Most states fund their community colleges on a flat grant per pupil basis, though some allocate on an overall appropriation. Variations in district wealth are generally equalized by either full state support or state equalization of local tax-paying ability. Four models of state support are currently in operation: (1) negotiation of state support…

This paper examines whether the existence of national education goals implies a new federal role in school finance. Disparities across the 50 states in terms of fiscal capacity and tax effort, education spending, and several measures of educational outcomes are analyzed. The next section summarizes a study of variables that predict states with…

This report summarizes recommendations by New Mexico's Commission on Higher Education for funding the state's two- and four-year colleges in fiscal year 1997-98. Following a preface reviewing the 3-year policy framework and priorities used by the Commission in making its funding recommendations, the first section provides a summary of the…