This policy study traces the history of school finance in Colorado over four and a half decades and describes how the available levers of direct democracy in the state have led to a seemingly insurmountable political logjam that is restricting budgets for all essential government services. Precollegiate education is particularly affected as…

This report by the Kentucky Department of Education states that "the school council shall have the responsibility to set school policy consistent with district board policy which shall provide an environment to enhance the students' achievement and help the school meet the goals established in KRS 158.645 and 158.6451." The report's 18…

The education reform process in California is documented through the impact of the "Serrano" decision and Proposition 13. The reform has involved a steady decline in ranking of per pupil state expenditures with an increasing proportion of cost being transferred from the state to local districts. (JD)

Given state activism in education reform during the 1980s, a major concern in the development of education policy is whether reform states have increased their financial support for education in order to achieve desired objectives. This paper describes findings of a study that explored the distributive nature of state and local policy choices in…

This paper provides a critical review of the 1994 Utah Legislative session as it relates to public and higher education in the state. The paper discusses the defining contextual features of the 1994 Legislative Session, the agendas of key state educational policy actors for the 1994 session, and significant issues and legislation in the…

A study was done examining the experiences of four California community colleges that received pilot program grants to participate in a legislatively mandated, statewide accountability program. The participating colleges were Mount San Antonio College (Los Angeles), San Joaquin Delta College (Stockton), San Jose-Evergreen, and Santa Barbara City…

This research, designed to analyze the process of educational policymaking in York State, focused on the role of the formal governmental structure, especially that of the State Legislature. A comparison between interest group leaders' and State legislators' perceptions of the legislature's role revealed some significant differences. Interest group…

In its first year (1986-87), a $37.4 million Connecticut aid program has markedly reduced disparities in teacher salaries and expenditures per pupil. This paper reviews the use of school aid increases in Connecticut, describes the simulation models used, explains the models' role in targeting state aid, and outlines the legislation and its…

The third in a series of reports examining the impact of student charges on the goals of open access and educational quality in California's community colleges, this report considers alternatives for maintaining access and quality, the conditions under which student charges should be imposed, and the structures and levels of student charges. Part…

This report to the Mississippi Legislature presents the findings of a review of the cash management policies, procedures, and practices of the State Board of Trustees of Institutions of Higher Learning (IHL). The methodology involved review of: applicable Mississippi statutes; standards promulgated by the National Association of College and…

This document is a history of Wisconsin's equalization aid formula, embodying all the formula studies conducted since 1947, along with all the actions taken by Wisconsin legislatures and governors since 1927. The introduction provides the constitutional and statutory rationale for state education aid, and lists the committees that have studied the…

This report, sixth in a series of updates by State Higher Education Executive Officers (SHEEO), is a comprehensive assessment of state policies related to public college and university tuition, fees, and financial aid. Significant variation was found among the states in the basic philosophy that guides decision making regarding tuition levels in…