This policy analysis examines how states are implementing the substantially changed requirements relating to the distribution of federal IDEA (Individuals with Disabilities Education Act) Part B funds (Sections 611 and 619) as set forth in regulations issued in 1999. Interviews were conducted with nine state education agencies (SEAs) on the effect…

When the Cincinnati Public Schools devised a reform strategy for improving student performance, it became clear that the district's traditional budgeting system was inadequate. Traces the district's process of moving to a system of student-based budgeting linking funding equity and flexibility to accountability and excellence. (MLF)

Outlines North Carolina Superior Court Judge Howard E. Manning's ruling concerning school funding inequities. Details the ruling's insistence on the submission of progress reports every three months. Proposes that the ruling is too controlling and fails to recommend how to eliminate funding inequities. (PM)

Investigated argument that place of residence influences economic and social services needs. Results demonstrated that rural residency increases both the likelihood of poor health and the need for services, after controlling for age, income, and race. Four predictor values accounted for a small proportion of the variance in need. (RJM)

Performs empirical tests of the Mexican federal government's state-level education expenditures and examines changes in allocation patterns by comparing 1980 and 1990 cross-sections. Unlike other Latin American countries, where formulated grants are made to subnational jurisdictions, the Mexican allocation pattern seems neither rational nor…

This article considers the current political climate within further education, and considers the reality and risk arising from policy rhetoric. Discussion considers economic morals, qualifying for citizenship and the purpose of education linked to a learning society. Questions are raised in relation to what is learning and achievement within…

Colorado's voucher law was declared unconstitutional by the Colorado Supreme Court on June 28, 2004. Voucher supporters have begun drafting revised legislation designed to address the legal problem. This article calls into question the key financial claim of revenue neutrality--a claim that was central to the promotion and passage of the departing…

In 1997, Vermont passed Act 60, which reformed its education finance system to achieve greater equality of spending. The reform encouraged wealthy towns to reduce spending; it was politically unpopular and was replaced, in 2004, by Act 68. We analyze the spending incentives created by the two acts and estimate the effects the change will have on…

In June 1994, the Maryland Joint Legislative Workgroup on Community College Financing was formed to evaluate the state's funding formula for community colleges and its responsibility to adequately fund Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). The Workgroup reviewed the statutory role of community colleges, BCCC's creation in 1990 by the…

This paper examines the politics of special education finance reform in three states (Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Vermont) that have enacted substantial legislative change within the past 5 years. These case studies were extracted from presentations made by the three state directors of special education at a 1994 conference. Each case study includes…

This report describes the process and outcomes of implementing Oregon state legislation (Senate Bill 814 in 1991), which restructured the state's special education funding system. The new system provides districts with grants that are twice the regular per student allocation for every identified special education student up to 11 percent of the…

Based on a recent nationwide survey of rural administrators, this digest reports on the financial problems of rural school districts and some possible strategies for improvement. Rural administrators reported the following financial management problems: (1) cash flow problems due to late receipt of state aid or taxes; (2) expenditures that are…

The experiences are described of the University of Colorado institutional researcher in serving on a statewide task force charged with revising the student/faculty ratio guidelines that form the basis of the faculty funding formula. Following a description of the task force structure and procedures, the methodology employed in analyzing and…

This two-part report provides an analysis of the current funding formula for Illinois community colleges, financing recommendations, and an overview and analysis of national trends in state financing of public higher education. Part I begins with a discussion of community college funding in Illinois, followed by an overview of five external trends…

A study analyzed the component parts of existing formulae to distribute federal vocational monies to secondary level programs in Missouri. Among the areas examined were the relative weight of the factors influencing distribution of funds and the extent to which each factor contributes to the final array depicting the total distribution of federal…