Although school funding structures are similar in many ways across the states, no two states have school finance systems that are precisely the same. School finance systems which are used to achieve multiple objectives, must consider characteristics of numerous school districts, distribute large amounts of money, and have developed incrementally…

Analysis of figures nationwide indicates that local school districts have reduced their reliance on property taxes while states have increased support for schools. However, states face serious fiscal problems, and the property tax system should be reviewed in light of the need for more local support for schools. (MJL)

Factors associated with state school finance court cases that are most pressing in an urban environment are how the fiscal capacity of a school district is determined, the greater concentration of students with a need for more costly programs, and the high costs of providing services in urban districts. (Author/MLF)

The history of school finance reform in the last 75 years provides a context for considering future school finance issues and the different school finance problems faced by the various states. From 1900 to 1965 states provided foundation aid to school districts. In the mid-1960s federal aid was added for special needs students. In the late 1960s…

This paper provides a brief overview of the elementary and secondary school-finance system. The scope of the school-finance enterprise is large. On any given day, about 20 percent of the country's population participates in precollegiate education programs of some sort. The states provide nearly half of all school revenues, which come from…

Discusses the interdistrict inequities that exist in financing community colleges in California, Illinois, New Jersey, and Mississippi--four states in which districts contribute substantial revenues to local institutions. Links the problems of equity and adequacy that are intensified by increasing costs, declining enrollments, and the increase of…

Examines trends in state financial school support in terms of increasing costs, state courts' attitudes, complications in school finance systems, national attention on local policies, and the need for policymakers to broaden their concerns. (KS)

Summarizes findings of a 1979 national survey of governors, legislators, and other state policymakers on the major school finance issues and areas of concern for the coming decade. Condensed from "School Finance Reform in the States: 1980," published by the Education Finance Center, Education Commission of the States. (Author/SJL)

Over the past five years, many states have modified their systems for providing aid to local school districts for current operating expenses, but few changes have taken place in states' support of local districts' capital outlay expenditures. However, the issues surrounding capital expenditures are somewhat different from those involved in current…

As states modify their school finance systems in pursuit of equity, play a larger role in setting the level of teacher salaries, and link school finance and improvement, state control of schools is growing. However, state support of schools will decrease as property taxes increase. (DCS)

Since publication of "A Nation at Risk" in 1983, state and local expenditures for education have increased significantly, from $108.4 billion a decade ago to $210.4 billion by 1991-92. On average, per-pupil spending for 1991-92 was more than $1,250, or 30 percent, above the level required to keep pace with inflation during the 1980s. State…

Achieving a state education finance program that is fair to students, taxpayers, teachers, and school districts is complicated by varying student needs and different property tax rates and school expenses among districts. Attempts at equitable allocation of state aid funds and other educational resources should be guided by the principles of…

Drawing from the literature on the financing of community colleges, this paper discusses problems associated with state community college funding and examines the relationships that arise between the state, local community college districts, and students when each is an important source of revenue to the community college. In the first section,…

Changes in state school finance systems in the 1970's and early 1980's are discussed in this report, and possible trends for the future are considered. The report reviews changes in school revenue, levels of state support, levels of expenditure relative to personal income, and the provision of new revenues by the states. The decreasing importance…