This article introduces the issue of articles on research assessments and rankings. It focuses on the British Research Assessment Exercises (RAEs) and New Zealand's Performance Based Research Fund (PBRF). It contrasts these with systems that are not tied to funding formulas and emphasise quality enhancement rather than quality assurance. It…

This study examined the allocation of government research grants to universities in the United Kingdom in the context of the current funding system which distributes such grants based on universities' performance in the marketplace. Marketplace performance indicators include academic staff and postgraduate student counts, grants from Research…

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…

Information is provided on the budgeting formula developed for funding Alaska's community colleges. After the history of formula budgeting is discussed, its purposes are highlighted (i.e., to provide equity of funding among the community colleges; to reduce uncertainty in and to simplify the budgeting process; and to provide for more local…

The Tennessee Higher Education Commission's performance-funding policy rewards public institutions for undertaking comprehensive assessment programs. New policy guidelines that emphasize quantitative indicators such as test scores and alumni ratings are discussed. (Author/MLW)

The Commission initiated a funding to review national funding models for higher education led by the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems (NCHEMS). Each institution contributed to the cost of the study and participated in the effort. NCHEMS' key recommendation is to move the funding discussions for higher education away from a…

Projections in this document form the basis of the site-based budget planning process for schools in the Seattle (Washington) School District. These projections are based on the Weighted Student Formula approved by the School Board in February 1997. The Weighted Student Formula is based on three principles: (1) resources follow the student; (2)…

This paper summarizes results of a legislatively mandated study of the incidence of students with "severe and/or high cost" disabilities across California within the context of the new census-based funding approach (which distributes funds based on the overall census of school-aged children rather than a count of children receiving…

State funding mechanisms are seen as coming under scrutiny because they don't accurately reflect enrollment decline effects on overall costs. Ohio has worked out a method of relating funding formula to actual costs and Florida reduces funding by half the average cost for enrollment declines. (Author/MLW)

In this article, the author discusses the impact brought about by the "No Child Left Behind" Act (NCLB) on school funding. Because of changes in the funding formulas, most of the increased funding will go to districts in which the highest number of poor children reside. Districts which are less impacted by poverty will lose funding. The…

The System Funding Task Force (SFTF) of the Illinois Community College Board was formed to review the recommendations and framework for modifying the state's funding plan developed by the Board's President's Council. This report presents the SFTF's review of the Council's findings and presents the Task Force's own recommendations for funding.…

Background information on a new general studies curriculum at Southwest Texas State University is presented, along with faculty views about the new curriculum. The proposed three-level program covers essential skills, disciplinary perspectives, and integrative courses. Specific skills and content are outlined, along with the number of credit hours…

This report details a project to develop a system to distribute federal funds under the Education Amendments of 1976 to all eligible recipients on the basis of annual applications. The first section describes the pertinent federal and state legislation, project scope, and guidelines used to develop the new system. Data sources and the criteria…

In the effort to improve essential components of the Basic Education Program (BEP), the General Assembly has adopted legislation directing the BEP Review Committee to perform a comprehensive review of the funding formula, identifying needed revisions, additions, or deletions. This year, through a series of full-day meetings, the committee has…

This report is the result of a 1995 national mail survey of state special education administrators concerning mechanisms used by states to fund special education services for school-age children with disabilities and the costs to provide these services. All 50 states and the District of Columbia responded to the survey. Part 1 contains three…