Funding for public elementary and secondary education is a significant portion of most state budgets, representing on average approximately one-third of general fund appropriations. This booklet provides policymakers with five broad principles for the design of state school funding systems--equity, efficiency, adequacy, accountability, and…

Outcomes of a restructuring project implemented in a North Carolina high school in 1987 are described in this paper. The Lead Teacher Model restructured the decision-making processes for both resource allocation and school scheduling. At the Alpha County High School, eight elected lead teachers taught part-time and, in addition assisted the…

A needs assessment survey of science teachers in 5th through 12th grades was conducted to answer the following research questions: (1) What factors influence science teachers positively or negatively toward using instructional television (ITV)? and (2) What are the significant needs felt by science teachers in the actual classroom regarding ITV…

Every year local, state, and federal governments provide the resources that support public education for students in prekindergarten through grade 12. What were the sources of these revenues in the 1992-93 school year? How were these dollars expended across instruction, student support, and other services? This document provides answers to these…

This report presents the results of a 1992 study of the performance and management of college and university endowments. Part I offers succinct information on the data collection process, provides definitions, and explains the formula used in the analysis. Part II presents the report's exhibits in two sections. The first section describes: (1)…

This booklet offers an in-depth analysis of the Clinton Administration budget and economic plan. The initial overview explains why the budget can be regarded as both a poverty-reduction and deficit-reduction budget. Chapter 2 offers detailed descriptions of the three main components of the plan--the deficit reduction measure (i.e., spending cuts…

Findings of a study that developed and applied a microfinancial model to track financial resources through the school systems are presented in this paper. The School Site Allocations Model (SSAM) shifts the current finance structure to the schools. First, the model was designed and tested in 30 school districts across the United States. Next, data…

This paper presents a methodology for developing a framework that can help decision makers distinguish intensity of needs and regional funding differences within a state. A cluster analysis was used to distinguish need in Georgia's 159 counties. Four clusters that identified the distribution of goods or services to those in need were identified:…

The purpose of this study was to examine the operations of a Texas high-poverty middle school focusing on teachers as a significant component in the flow of resources and their effect on achievement. The sample in this study included 11 math teachers and 26 English/language arts teachers, all from the same school, along with randomly selected…

This booklet for trustees of institutions of higher education offers guidelines for strategic financial decisions required in light of the financial challenges higher education faces in the 1990s and beyond. "Strategic response" is defined as a decision that requires changing a major policy, program, or practice and involves some risk. Five…

Recent developments in school finance litigation are described in this document, which examines the legal bases for school finance challenges and the nature of the inequities that plaintiffs seek to prove. The first section summarizes the legal theories upon which the challenges have been based. Section 2 focuses upon plaintiffs' arguments in the…

A literature review on the use of vouchers in American education is provided in this paper. The following issues are discussed with a focus on the degree of government involvement and school district role: community resource equalization, family power equalization, the use of vouchers, public options, and responses to voucher programs. Suggestions…

This report presents the results of a 1991 study of the performance and management of endowments of colleges and universities. Part I offers information on the data collection and describes several definitions and formula used in the analysis. Part II presents the report's exhibits in two sections the first of which treats endowment…

Cost-effectiveness analysis and cost-benefit analysis are two related yet distinct methods to help decision makers choose the best course of action from among competing alternatives. For both types of analysis, costs are computed similarly. Costs may be reduced to present value amounts for multi-year programs, and parameters may be altered to show…

This brief is a special policy report of the Intermediate Service Unit Task Force of the Regional Policy Information Center. Intermediate service units were created in many forms and with many titles to provide assistance and services to local school districts. The task force is working to create and operationalize a "knowledge utilization…